Trump Administration Ends Standoff With D.C. Public Golf Courses

After months of uncertainty, a resolution has been reached in the heated dispute between U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration and the operators of three historic public golf courses in Washington, D.C.

The National Links Trust (NLT)—the nonprofit organization that has run East Potomac Golf Links, Langston Golf Course, and Rock Creek Park Golf since 2020—and the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) announced a deal late Friday night that brings clarity to the messy situation.

NLT has signed a new long-term lease at Langston and Rock Creek, and will keep operating East Potomac in the interim before a planned renovation within the next few years. 

In January, NLT’s 50-year lease to operate all the courses, which are owned by the National Park Service (which falls under the DOI), was terminated by the Trump administration. That halted an already underway renovation at Rock Creek.

Under the new deal, the Rock Creek project will resume, and East Potomac will undergo a major renovation. 

Currently, the property offers two 9-hole courses (Par 27 and Par 36), one 18-hole course (Par 72), miniature golf, foot golf, three practice holes, and a driving range. After the renovation led by golf architect Tom Fazio, East Potomac will “offer a top-tier 18-hole championship golf course capable of hosting pre-eminent tournament golf,” according to the DOI. 

One idea that had been circulated in recent months was calling the new course at the East Potomac site Washington National Golf Course, and trying to lure events like the Ryder Cup.

White House Environmental Advisory Task Force chairman Ed Russo told Front Office Sports in November that Tiger Woods had agreed to help with a future renovation project at Langston. His current involvement is unclear, though.

Money Ball

All three courses will continue to offer some of the lowest prices for golf in the D.C. area. Tee times are all less than $50, which is unprecedented for most major metropolitan markets.

“We thank President Trump for reaching an agreement that keeps Washington, D.C.’s three public golf courses open, welcoming, and affordable community gathering places for D.C. residents and all golfers,” NLT co-founders Mike McCartin and Will Smith said in a statement.