A weekend agreement between the Trump administration and National Links Trust has resolved a contentious dispute that threatened to close Washington D.C.’s three public golf courses.
The controversy began when the administration ended a five-decade lease arrangement between the National Park Service and National Links Trust at the close of 2025. The nonprofit organization had been responsible for managing and operating the District’s municipal golf facilities.
The lease termination halted ongoing improvements at Rock Creek Park Golf Course and created uncertainty about the operations of Rock Creek, Langston Golf Course, and East Potomac Golf Links.
Under the new arrangement, National Links Trust will continue managing all three facilities through fresh long-term lease agreements for Langston and Rock Creek courses. Meanwhile, President Trump and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum will directly supervise a redesign project at East Potomac.
Construction work at Rock Creek will restart, and the National Links Trust confirmed in their announcement that all three facilities “will remain open, accessible and affordable for the residents and communities that depend on them.”
The resolution follows a federal court decision that blocked the Trump administration from unilaterally closing East Potomac or beginning renovations without adequate public notification.
“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 DC residents and all golfers. We look forward to continuing to provide our expertise in operating and managing these beloved and historic courses and to making D.C. proud,” the organization stated.
Trump’s involvement in golf operations extends well beyond his presidency, with ownership of multiple high-profile facilities including Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in New Jersey, which hosted a U.S. Women’s Open, and Trump National Doral near Miami, which recently returned to PGA Tour competition with the Cadillac Championship. LIV Golf events have been held at these venues as well as Trump National Golf Club Washington, D.C., a private facility in Northern Virginia separate from the municipal courses.
Renowned golf course designer Tom Fazio, who has previously collaborated on four Trump golf properties, will lead the East Potomac redesign project. According to Golf Digest reporting, Trump envisions the renovated course as a potential host for major championships or Ryder Cup competition.
