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East Potomac Golf Links open despite Trump’s restoration deadline
The East Potomac Golf Links in Washington, D.C. was open Tuesday despite the Trump administration’s restoration deadline.
WASHINGTON - September 1 arrived at East Potomac Golf Links with golfers on the course, tee times still available and no signs of the major construction President Donald Trump said would begin Tuesday.
What we know:
All three courses at the historic public golf facility remained open and operating as usual. Staff told FOX 5 they had not received notice of an impending closure.
But the lack of visible construction has done little to ease uncertainty surrounding the future of the course — including among some of the people who work there.
One employee told FOX 5 he did not know whether he would still have a job Tuesday and remains concerned about his employment as questions continue over when the redevelopment will begin and how long the facility could eventually be closed.
Local golfer and golf journalist Garrett Johnston said that uncertainty is troubling.
"My understanding was that people showed up to work not knowing if they had a job here on a public property at this course," Johnston said. "Just imagine going to bed and just think about that for anyone in the workforce."
High school golf teams concerned about potential closure
The uncertainty extends beyond employees and recreational golfers.
East Potomac has 36 holes and remains one of the region’s most accessible and affordable places to play, serving everyday golfers as well as a number of local high school teams.
David Knott, head golf coach at Wakefield High School, said coaches are particularly concerned about the timing of any potential closure during the fall golf season.
"We as coaches in the area are trying to send messages to the Hill — if you’re going to do that, do it after October 1," Knott said, noting that six or seven high schools practice at East Potomac. "It’s the only real place to come."
President Trump visited East Potomac in June and announced that work on a new course would begin Sept. 1. He has said he wants to transform the historic public facility into a championship-level course capable of eventually hosting some of golf’s premier tournaments.
But as of Tuesday, there is still no publicly released final design, construction schedule or estimated price tag.
There is also no publicly announced timeline for when the courses would close, how long a closure could last or what access would look like once the redevelopment is complete.
Tree removal underway as questions remain
While there were no signs Tuesday of major construction on the golf course redesign, other work has been taking place around the property.
More than 60 trees appear to have been removed in recent weeks.
The Department of the Interior told FOX 5 that arborists are conducting routine maintenance, selectively removing hazardous trees, non-native invasive trees and trees that are dying or declining and cannot be restored to good health.
The department has not said whether the tree removal is part of Trump’s proposed golf course redevelopment.
Golfers welcome improvements — but worry about affordability and access
What they're saying:
For many of the people who walk, bike and golf at East Potomac, the debate is not necessarily about whether the property should be improved.
Several people who spoke with FOX 5 said they would welcome upgrades to the course, practice facilities and longstanding drainage problems. Their concern is whether a major transformation could change the affordability and accessibility that have long defined East Potomac.
"Keeping up and maintaining facilities — amazing," local golf parent Michelle Mervis said. "But if you’re going to increase the cost of play here and everything that comes along with that, I don’t see the value to the community at all."
Ron Cathell, another regular at East Potomac, said the course has become a second home for many of the people who play there.
Cathell said he would welcome improvements to the practice areas and drainage problems, but believes any redevelopment needs to preserve the affordability and accessibility that distinguish East Potomac from more exclusive golf courses.
His concern is that East Potomac was not built to cater to an elite group of golfers — it is a public course used by people of different ages, backgrounds and skill levels. Cathell said a redevelopment that fundamentally changes that identity would likely face significant pushback from the community.
Questions remain over renovation timeline
What's next:
FOX 5 reached out to the White House, Department of the Interior and National Park Service Tuesday seeking clarification on whether the Sept. 1 renovation timeline had changed and when major construction is now expected to begin.
As of Tuesday evening, FOX 5 had not received that clarification.
Meanwhile, a federal lawsuit challenging the proposed redevelopment remains ongoing. A federal court hearing in the case is scheduled for Thursday.
The Source: Information in this article is from original FOX 5 DC reporting.