Trump-Backed East Potomac Renovation Plan Revealed, Sparking Fresh Debate Over D.C. Muni’s Future

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum on Thursday unveiled a new rendering for the future of East Potomac Golf Links, offering the clearest look yet at the controversial overhaul of the historic municipal golf facility.

The proposed redesign, created by renowned golf architect Tom Fazio, features a par-72 championship course stretching 7,660 yards across the manmade peninsula in southwest Washington, D.C. The plan also includes three new water features, a large practice complex and what appears to be a nine-hole short course north of the main layout. A sizeable section at the southern end of the peninsula would remain dedicated green space rather than golf development.

Additional details about the project have not yet been released by either Burgum’s office or Fazio.

The future of East Potomac has become one of the most debated golf projects in the country. The century-old muni currently offers affordable public golf, with greens fees hovering around $40, but critics worry the proposed transformation could dramatically change both the character and accessibility of the property.

The controversy intensified after the Trump administration terminated the lease of the National Links Trust in December. The nonprofit previously held long-term leases for East Potomac along with D.C.’s other municipal courses, Langston Golf Course and Rock Creek Golf Course, with plans to restore all three facilities.

Federal officials cited missed payments and delayed improvements as reasons for ending the agreement, though the NLT disputed those claims and said it strongly disagreed with the administration’s characterization of the situation.

Just last week, however, the administration shifted course again, announcing that the National Park Service would partner with both private and public groups — including the NLT — to begin immediate renovations at East Potomac while returning oversight of Langston and Rock Creek back to the nonprofit.

Officials say the goal is to create a nationally recognized public golf destination while maintaining affordable access for local players. Burgum compared the vision for East Potomac to celebrated municipal venues like Bethpage Black Course and Torrey Pines Golf Course, promising “championship-quality golf” at discounted local rates.

Still, many local golfers and preservation advocates remain unconvinced.

Advocacy group Save East Po criticized the proposal Thursday, arguing the community was excluded from the planning process. The organization also objected to reducing the facility from 36 holes to 27 and questioned whether the redesign adequately honors the original architecture of legendary designer Walter Travis.

Fazio’s proposed routing bears little resemblance to the historic layout that has existed at East Potomac for more than a century.

Despite the backlash, the NLT praised the administration’s pledge to keep the facility affordable, pointing to successful public golf models like Memorial Park Golf Course and Bethpage State Park as examples of high-quality municipal golf that remains accessible to local communities.

Donald Trump has said little publicly about the redevelopment plans, though he told The Wall Street Journal in December that if his administration moved forward with the courses, “we’ll do it really beautifully.”