GOLF.com: Trump Administration's Overhaul of D.C.'s Historic Muni Sparks Battle with Preservationists

A Historic Public Course at a Crossroads

East Potomac Golf Links in Washington D.C., a century-old public course designed by Golden Age architect Walter Travis, is at the center of a heated dispute. After the Trump administration's Interior Department terminated the lease of the previous manager, National Links Trust, designer Tom Fazio was brought in with a mandate to transform the site into what President Trump envisions as a "national monument" of American golf.

What Makes East Potomac Significant

Travis laid out the course in 1917 on a 220-acre manmade peninsula in the Potomac River, with views of the Washington Monument and Capitol. Its distinctive reversible routing — a nod to St. Andrews — allowed turf to recover under the immense volume of play. By 1921, the first nine holes were handling up to 600 rounds a day.

Rob Wolf III, president of the Walter J. Travis Society, argues that detailed original plans — sketches, annotated routing maps, aerial photography — exist in the public record and represent "the best playbook ever" for a faithful restoration.

Fazio's Modern Approach

Fazio's vision diverges sharply from restoration. His plans involve significant earth-moving to address chronic drainage issues, rerouting holes, and removing or reducing the dense bunkering Travis employed. He also confirmed that the cherry trees — which President Trump has personally praised — will be protected. Fazio was not aware of the original source material until GOLF.com shared it, but said he would take the history "into consideration" while maintaining that a complete restoration is impractical.

Legal and Preservation Pushback

The DC Preservation League filed an emergency motion in May to halt what it described as "irreparably destroying" the historic park. A hearing is scheduled for July 2. Preservationists argue the course is character-defining under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and that a wholesale redesign would violate preservation standards.

At stake: one of America's most accessible historic courses — playable by anyone for under $50 — and a rare chance to restore Golden Age design using an unusually complete set of original plans.

Strokeslab's Take

This case sits at the intersection of golf history, public access, and political influence — a combination that rarely produces clean outcomes. The abundance of original Travis documentation makes a faithful restoration not just possible but arguably obligatory. How this proceeds will set a precedent for how America values its historic public golf infrastructure.