Trump administration terminates leases of DC golf courses
National Links Trust, which oversees the district's Rock Creek, East Potomac and Langston courses, denies the allegations that it was in default of the lease, just five years into the agreement.
The Trump administration terminated the National Links Trust's lease this week with the National Park Service to operate, manage and renovate the three golf courses in Washington, D.C., claiming the nonprofit is in default of its 50-year lease.
National Links Trust, which oversees the district's Rock Creek, East Potomac and Langston courses, denies the allegations that it was in default of the lease, just five years into the agreement. The NPS owns the land the three golf courses are on.
"We are fundamentally in disagreement with the administration's characterization of NLT as being in default under the lease," the nonprofit said Wednesday. "We have always had a productive and cooperative working relationship with the [NPS] and have worked hand in hand on all aspects of our golf course operations and development projects."
The organization said the courses will remain open for the time being, but long-term renovation projects will cease, including renovations of the Rock Creek golf course, according to CBS News.
"After five years spent navigating the complex Federal permitting processes, this development is extremely disappointing for all who have supported the project," NLT said.
President Donald Trump, who is an avid golfer, floated renovating the East Potomac golf course last month, which sits south of the National Mall and offers views of the Washington Monument throughout the course.
"If we do them, we’ll do it really beautifully,” he told the Wall Street Journal.
Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.