President Donald Trump said on June 28 that the East Potomac Golf Links in Washington would have the capacity to host major tournaments once its renovation is completed.
Renovations to the East Potomac Golf Links will begin on Sept. 1, Trump announced in a Truth Social post after touring the public golf course and several other renovation projects in the nation’s capital.
Trump said the public golf course was “dilapidated” and posed a hazard to people, noting years of neglect that had left many trees damaged or at risk of falling.
He added that the sprinkler system was no longer functioning and that the deteriorated condition of the grass made the course “virtually unplayable.”
“The grass is largely dead, the greens are virtually unplayable, and the Course is in very poor general condition but, after many years of horrendous maintenance, and little money devoted to the process of upkeep, we have determined that this location can bring tremendous success and prestige back to Washington, D.C., along with what we have already done with respect to the lowest Crime Numbers in many years, and the fixing of 73 of our most important Statues, Monuments, and Fountains,” the president wrote.
“When completed, this Course will have the ability to host Major Golf Tournaments, including The U.S. Open, The Ryder Cup, The PGA Championship, and other top PGA Tour events.”
The president said the public golf course will be renovated through the Interior Department and named Tom Fazio as the architect for the project.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum last month unveiled Fazio’s design for the golf course’ renovation. A rendering of the renovation features an 18-hole course overlooking the Washington Monument.
Located at Hains Point in Southwest Washington, East Potomac Golf Links currently includes an 18-hole course, two nine-hole courses, a driving range, miniature golf, putting greens, and a clubhouse with a grill and pro shop.
In May, the Interior Department reached an agreement with the National Links Trust that would allow the nonprofit to continue operating East Potomac Golf Links until the National Park Service begins its restoration work. Under the deal, the National Links Trust will retain long-term leases at Rock Creek Park Golf and Langston Golf Course.
The agreement resolved a dispute that began in December 2025, when the National Park Service ended National Links Trust’s 50-year lease for the three golf courses, claiming the nonprofit had defaulted on its lease obligations.
The nonprofit rejected that characterization, saying it had “invested over $8.5 million in capital improvement projects” at the courses.
Jackson Richman contributed to this report.
