A historic public golf course in Washington DC is facing a major overhaul under President Donald Trump, who says the century-old facility needs extensive work to become a world-class destination for golfers.
East Potomac Golf Links, located on Hains Point along the Potomac River, has long offered an accessible place for golfers to play with views of the nation’s capital.
But as the Trump administration pushes to transform the public park into a high-end facility, local preservationists and golfers have pushed back and have taken the administration to court over environmental concerns and lost public access.
Trump announced Oct. 18 the course would close Nov. 15 for about 15 months. The planned renovation comes as a federal judge reviews the administration’s
actions at the site, including the recent removal of hundreds of trees.
What Trump says is wrong with East Potomac Golf Links
Trump says the course is in poor condition and needs significant improvements. In his announcement, he described it as “old, broken, dilapidated” and said it had become “overgrown, dysfunctional and unsafe.”
He referenced what he called "falling, dangerous and disease-infested trees", as well as "a collapsing and hazardous seawall." Trump argued the course was originally known for having few trees and open views of the city's iconic monuments before becoming overgrown over time.
"The United States Department of Interior wants to take a terrible and very unsafe golf course, and make it into a great, safe, and prestigious golf course," he said in a follow-up post Monday.
The president said the renovation will transform East Potomac into a championship-level course that can host major golf tournaments, such as the U.S. Open, PGA Championship, Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup.
Trump shared an artist's rendering of the proposed 18-hole championship course, which features a large practice area and a new clubhouse. The new layout would dramatically reshape the property and would extend the course toward the shoreline.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why is Trump closing DC's East Potomac Golf Links for 15 months?
