The Trump administration has moved to terminate a long-term lease for three public golf courses in Washington, D.C., a decision that opens the door for President Donald Trump to potentially reshape another landmark in the nation's capital.
Lease Terminated Over Alleged Failures
On Wednesday, the nonprofit National Links Trust announced that the U.S. Department of the Interior had ended its 50-year lease agreement. The trust had operated the three public courses on federal land for the past five years. According to the Interior Department, the termination was due to the nonprofit's failure to implement required capital improvements and to meet other terms of the lease.
The courses in question are situated on prominent sites overlooking the Potomac River and within Rock Creek Park. One of the locations is also noted for its significance in Black golf history.
Nonprofit Defends Its Record, Future Uncertain
Officials from the National Links Trust stated they were "devastated" by the decision. They vigorously defended their management, revealing that $8.5 million had been invested in capital improvements during their tenure. They also reported that both rounds played and revenue had more than doubled under their operation.
The nonprofit has agreed to continue managing the courses for now, but all long-term renovation plans have been halted. In a statement, trust officials expressed stubborn hope, saying, "a path forward can be found that preserves affordable and accessible public golf in the nation’s capital for generations to come."
Part of a Broader Pattern in the Capital
This move occurs amidst a series of actions by the Trump administration to rebrand civic spaces in Washington. Recently, the Kennedy Center's board of trustees—appointed by Trump—voted to add the president's name to the performing arts center, which was originally designated by Congress as a memorial to President John F. Kennedy.
Other projects include a construction initiative to build a ballroom on the White House's East Wing and the placement of Trump's name on the U.S. Institute of Peace. The administration has also deployed National Guard members to Washington streets for public safety purposes.
While the specific plans for the three golf courses remain unclear, President Trump, whose private company has developed numerous golf courses globally, now has a significant opportunity to remake these public links.
