The National Links Trust (NLT) announced this week that it will end its operations at East Potomac Golf Links, Washington's most frequented public golf course, effective November 15. This move comes as President Trump intensifies his push to redevelop the property, which sits on National Park Service land along the Potomac River.
In a statement released Thursday, the nonprofit confirmed that its new long-term lease with the Interior Department and the National Park Service will focus on managing and rehabilitating two other D.C. courses: Langston Golf Course and Rock Creek Park Golf. The 50-year lease for those facilities marks a strategic shift, while East Potomac's future remains clouded by litigation and political maneuvering.
Under NLT's stewardship, East Potomac became a national model for affordable public golf, drawing players from diverse backgrounds and skill levels. The surrounding park also serves as a hub for walking and biking trails, used daily by residents and tourists, and features cherry trees that attract springtime crowds. However, the Trump administration terminated NLT's lease at East Potomac late last year, and the organization has now acknowledged the president's timeline for closure.
Trump has long eyed the Haines Point property, proposing to demolish the existing courses and build an 18-hole championship facility designed by famed architect Tom Fazio. He has repeatedly described the current playing conditions as "dangerous" and argues that revitalization is necessary to attract professional tournaments. Yet, the administration has provided scant details on costs, particularly the estimated hundreds of millions needed to repair the seawall.
The president's plans have sparked fierce opposition from preservationists and local golfers, who accuse him of exploiting public lands for personal projects. After the administration cleared hundreds of trees earlier this month, a federal judge issued a ruling halting any further work while the case proceeds. Trump has since attacked the judge, vowing to push ahead despite the court order.
The NLT's statement is the first formal acknowledgment of the president's November 15 closure date. "While continuing this important work, NLT is preparing for a full-scale rehabilitation of the facility in the near future," the nonprofit said, adding that it views the site as a key intersection of civil rights and sports history. "Guiding this facility toward a brighter future and serving as a steward for a key site at the intersection of civil rights and sports in our country is a deeply exciting opportunity, especially given its rich history and role in the local community."
As the legal battle intensifies, the fate of East Potomac remains uncertain. For now, the course's closure aligns with Trump's timeline, but the broader conflict over public land use and executive authority continues to unfold in the courts.
