Golf

National Links Trust announces long term lease “to manage, operate, and rehabilitate Langston Golf Course and Rock Creek Park Golf.” – “NLT’s role at East Potomac Golf Links will end on or before November 15”

By Prince Of Petworth

photo by Ron Cohn

From National Links Trust:

“WASHINGTON, DC — October 29, 2026 — National Links Trust (NLT), a non-profit organization dedicated to positively impacting local communities and changing lives through affordable and accessible municipal golf, today announced the finalization of a new long-term lease with the Department of the Interior and National Park Service to manage, operate, and rehabilitate Langston Golf Course and Rock Creek Park Golf. NLT’s role at East Potomac Golf Links will end on or before November 15, 2026. The new lease for Rock Creek Park Golf and Langston Golf Course was signed on October 28, 2026 and will span 50 years.” (more…)

Trump announces East Potomac Golf Course will close November 15th for “approximately 15 months”

By Prince Of Petworth

East Potomac Golf Course Update.

President Trump wrote on his Truth Social:

“I am pleased to announce that the Department of the Interior, under the auspices of Secretary Doug Burgum, and in conjunction with famed Golf Course Architect, Tom Fazio, has developed a plan to build a World Class Championship Golf Course on the site of the current East Potomac Golf Links, located in Washington, D.C. When completed, it will be open to the Public while, at the same time, designed to the Highest Level of Golf and able to hold World Class Tournaments such as the U.S. Open, the PGA Championship, the Ryder Cup, and the Presidents Cup. This Course will create many Jobs, and have a tremendously positive Economic Development impact on Washington, D.C., and the surrounding area. Millions of Dollars will inure to the Capital area. The current Course is old, broken, dilapidated, and of no further use or effect. It is in very poor condition, with falling, dangerous, and disease infested trees and, importantly, a collapsing and hazardous seawall. When the East Potomac Course was originally built, it was famous for no trees, with views of Washington, D.C., for all to see, but now, it is completely overgrown, dysfunctional, and unsafe. Restoration work will begin on the Fazio Design on November 15th, when the old Course will be closed to play. The new Course will be opened in approximately 15 months. (more…)

“Sadly these pics don’t even come close to capturing the level of destruction.” at the East Potomac Park Golf Course

By Prince Of Petworth

photo by root.stock

Thanks to root.stock for sharing these absolutely brutal photos from East Potomac Park taken yesterday (Monday):

“Sadly these pics don’t even come close to capturing the level of destruction. On several holes there are 100+ yards of fairway lined with cut down trees. The cell phone camera wasn’t good enough to get the full scale.” (more…)

Municipal Golf Updates – The Latest on Langston, Rock Creek Park and East Potomac Park Courses

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by Phil

National Links Trust writes Friday night:

“Tonight, May 8, 2026, the Department of the Interior announced an agreement under which National Links Trust will have a new long-term lease at Langston Golf Course and Rock Creek Park Golf. NLT will also continue operating East Potomac Golf Links until the National Park Service is ready to commence a historic restoration there.

Mike McCartin and Will Smith, co-founders of National Links Trust, released the following statement: (more…)

East Potomac Park Renovations “just mind boggling”

By Prince Of Petworth


East Potomac Golf Links via National Links Trust

From National Links Trust:

“We want to thank all of our community for their continued support during this process.”

And an important reminder this (Monday) morning:

“While we continue to monitor developments surrounding third-party litigation, East Potomac Golf Links is open for business. We will provide updates as they become available.

Thank you for your continued support.”

“Dear PoPville,

I just wanted to give a heads up, that there is a fundraising proposal tied to East Potomac Park that outlines major changes to the site, including potential impacts to public access, road use, and existing features like the cherry trees. The scale of what’s being proposed and the impacts this could have on DC residents and everyone else who uses this space regularly is just mind boggling to me. (more…)

PoP. Ed – “**Mr. President: Public Golf Should Remain Public**”

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by Phil

“Dear PoPville,

**Mr. President: Public Golf Should Remain Public**

When East Potomac Golf Links opened in 1921 as Washington’s first public course, it was designed to be “the model public playground”—a place where working people, not just country club members, could play the game. President Warren Harding loved it so much he’d skip his private club at Chevy Chase to play there instead. That’s the tradition President Trump now threatens to dismantle.

On December 31st, the Trump administration terminated the National Links Trust’s 50-year lease to operate Washington’s three historic public golf courses—East Potomac, Langston, and Rock Creek. The administration claims the nonprofit defaulted on capital improvements, yet NLT invested over $8.5 million in upgrades, doubled both rounds played and revenue, and kept greens fees affordable while elite courses nearby charge triple the price. The real default isn’t financial—it’s a failure to recognize that federal land should serve the public, not presidential ambitions.

These aren’t ordinary golf courses. (more…)

NLT: “We are devastated to report that the Trump administration is officially terminating our 50-year lease with the National Park Service to manage and renovate the three courses.”

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by Phil

ICYMI: December 18, 2025 – National Links Trust could be in trouble

Thanks to B. for passing on the sad update from National Links Trust:

“Dear Friends of National Links Trust,

As supporters of the National Links Trust, our community programming, and our ongoing efforts to rehabilitate DC’s three municipal golf courses, we wanted to update you on recent developments around the National Links Trust stewardship of East Potomac, Langston, and Rock Creek.

We are devastated to report that the Trump administration is officially terminating our 50-year lease with the National Park Service to manage and renovate the three courses. We remain in fundamental disagreement with the administration’s characterization of NLT as being in default under the lease. We have always had a productive and cooperative working relationship with the National Park Service and have worked hand in hand on all aspects of our golf course operations and development projects. The termination is effective immediately. (more…)

The Malbon Golf (clothing and accessories) opened

By Prince Of Petworth

1265 Wisconsin Ave, NW

Malbon’s website says:

“From day one, we’ve made the green the common ground. Founded in 2017 by culture and golf enthusiasts Stephen and Erica Malbon, our mission remains unchanged: to bring together diverse players, styles, and cultures through a shared love for the greatest game on Earth.” (more…)

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