President Donald Trump plans to transform Washington DC's historic East Potomac Golf Links into a championship-level golf course capable of hosting major professional tournaments, a sweeping renovation that would close the public course for about 15 months.
Trump announced Sunday, Oct. 18, the course would close beginning Nov. 15 for the planned overhaul.
But the project faces a legal hurdle. A federal judge ordered the administration to halt tree removals through Oct. 26 and provide advance notice before making permanent changes to the property.
What changes does Trump want to make at East Potomac Golf Links?
East Potomac Golf Links currently has three traditional golf courses totaling 36 holes, along with a miniature golf course, driving range and practice facilities. The proposed redesign would consolidate
the property into a single 18-hole championship course.
The new course would be 7,660 yards — more than 1,000 yards longer than the current 18-hole course at the facility.
Designed by golf architect Tom Fazio, the proposed layout would wind along the Hains Point peninsula and include three new water features.
The May design released by the administration included a nine-hole pitch-and-putt course and an expanded practice area with a driving range. Plans photographed during Trump's visit to the course in June, however, omitted the shorter course.
The redesign could also affect other recreational amenities at East Potomac Park. Those same plans photographed in June appeared to omit the mini golf course and portions of the existing bike trail, but the final plans for those amenities have not been confirmed.
The administration has proposed removing more than 500 trees as part of the work. The National Park Service says the trees targeted for removal do not contribute to the historic landscape, but the work has become part of a legal dispute over the project's environmental and historical preservation reviews.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What is Trump planning for DC’s historic East Potomac Golf Links?
