With views of the Washington Monument and the Potomac River, one of D.C.鈥檚 most iconic golf courses where generations have learned the game is now facing an uncertain future.
In December 2025, the Department of the Interior ended the lease of National Links Trust, the nonprofit that has been running East Potomac, as well as the Rock Creek and Langston courses. On Sunday, a preservation group asked a judge to block the Trump administration’s from closing East Potomac Park for renovations.
The termination of NLT鈥檚 lease is a move that has sparked questions about what changes could be ahead. In January, President Donald Trump said he wants to make East Potomac Golf Course, 鈥渁 beautiful, world-class, U.S. Open-caliber course.鈥�
Mike McCartin, CEO of National Links Trust, said the organization was caught off guard by the lease’s termination.
鈥淪o we received a notice of default in November of 2025, the notice was two sentences long,鈥� McCartin said.
He also said the government claims improvements were taking too long, something he disputes.
鈥淏asically, the reason that they鈥檙e giving to terminate us is that we鈥檙e taking too long, when in fact, the timeline was driven by the Park Service,鈥� he said.
He said the group had already been working to improve conditions at the courses.
鈥淲e鈥檝e spent about $11 million on those improvements, and I think people can see a huge difference,鈥� he said.
Other reporting has suggested the default may also involve unpaid rent. McCartin disputes that, saying investments made under the lease were intended to offset those costs.
He added that the group also paid more than $600,000 in rent for what he described as a total of $11.6 million in payments and offsets.
鈥淭he $11 million spent on improvements can offset rent per our lease,鈥� he said.
Online news outlet NOTUS reviewed documents that showed a proposal tied to America鈥檚 250th anniversary would turn East Potomac into what would be called Washington National Golf Course, backed by at least $50 million in fundraising.
For now, McCartin said the nonprofit is continuing to operate the course with the hope that the government reconsiders the end of the lease.
鈥淲e鈥檙e going to do that until we鈥檙e told that we can鈥檛 do it anymore,鈥� McCartin said.
The Department of the Interior said in a statement to 海角社区app that affordability will remain a focus as plans move forward.
鈥淧resident Donald Trump has made affordability a cornerstone of this administration, and this project will be no exception,鈥� it stated.
On the course itself, a large mound of dirt from the White House East Wing excavation now sits in plain view and could factor into future improvements. McCartin said it reflects the broader uncertainty surrounding what the course鈥檚 next chapter will look like.
鈥淚 think it represents the big question mark that鈥檚 hanging over this place about what comes next,” McCartin said.
Legal challenges
Recent developments surrounding plans for the course have caused some last-minute legal challenges.
聽found the Trump administration had planned to close the East Potomac Golf Course as early as Sunday, with plans to begin construction and tree clearing by Monday.
That news prompted legal advocacy nonprofit Democracy Forward to file an requesting a federal judge to halt any maintenance on the course by the Trump administration, claiming it鈥檚 “irreparably destroying a priceless piece of American history.鈥�
The Trump administration has maintained that no formal decisions have been made regarding renovations to the course.
鈥淗owever, on Friday, various news reports came out suggesting that at the end of the day, on Sunday, that construction and tree clearing would actually begin. And there were references to a pre-approved plan by the National Park Service,鈥� Democracy Forward President and CEO Skye Perryman told 海角社区app.
The order also requests an emergency status conference; it was filed as part of brought in February by the D.C. Preservation League and two local golfers.
鈥淚t’s a park that people and communities use and it’s heavily utilized. It is available to all people in the community, not just some people or people that you know can sort of afford to be on an exclusive list,鈥� Perryman said.
The case continues through the court system.
‘Only place I could golf’
Golfers say they are paying close attention to what happens next.
Justin, who plays regularly at East Potomac, said affordability is what has long made the course stand out.
鈥淚f you raise the prices 50%, a whole bunch of people who could afford this won鈥檛 be able to afford it,” he said.
He said for many players, it remains one of the few accessible places to golf in the region. He recalls the course being the only option when he moved to D.C.
鈥淭his is the only place I could golf,” he said.
Jonathan Davis of Arlington said he has been playing there for decades and wants to see improvements, but not at the cost of access.
鈥淭his is where I learned how to play. And I’ve been playing here for 40 years, and I hate to see something happen to it,鈥� said Davis. 鈥淚f he keeps prices the same and improves the course, I’m all for it. If he improves the course, it makes it so people can’t play it, then that’s totally different story.”
Others like Lincoln Lawrence of Alexandria said they are willing to wait and see what is planned.
鈥淚鈥檓 open to it only until I understand what the design is,” Lawrence said.
And some golfers argue a major overhaul may not be necessary at all.
鈥淲e don鈥檛 need a new golf course. We just need this one,鈥� said Mark Ellmore of Alexandria.
Ellmore said the course should remain what it has always been, which is a public space for all and should not be turned into a high-end course.
鈥淒onald Trump is far too smart to blow up a public park and try and turn it into Bethpage,鈥� Ellmore said.
As plans are discussed and legal challenges move forward, what the future holds for East Potomac and what changes may come remains unclear.
海角社区app’s Grace Newton contributed to this story.
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