Trump Axes D.C. Golf Course Deal, Shocking Local Leaders
Trump administration terminates D.C. golf lease, halting renovations and igniting backlash over public golf access and National Park Service oversight.
President Trump’s administration has terminated a lease agreement with the National Links Trust (NLT), the Washington, D.C., public-private nonprofit that has overseen and operated the District’s three municipal golf courses for the last half decade.
News of the lease termination, which was confirmed by The Hill on Wednesday, notifies the NLT that it is in breach of its contract with the National Park Service (NPS), which owns the land on which the three courses are built.
 |
Build a profitable gaming business with 500+ games — book a demo. |
Signed in 2020, the agreement was made between the NPS and the trust with the goal of redesigning and renovating the historic sites where the courses sit, using money from private donors and the District government.
But the Trump administration argues the park service, which is part of the Department of the Interior, has not fulfilled obligations to make capital improvements at each of the three courses in a timely enough fashion.
“The Trump administration prides itself on getting the job done for the American people and partnering with others who share that same goal,” the Interior Department said in a statement to The Hill on Wednesday.
The NLT, in a statement of its own on Wednesday, said it was “devastated” to receive the termination notice and remains “in fundamental disagreement with the administration’s characterization of NLT as being in default under the lease.”
“We have always had a productive and cooperative working relationship with the National Park Service and have worked hand in hand on all aspects of our golf course operations and development projects,” the nonprofit said. “The termination is effective immediately.”
NLT has agreed to stay in place “for the time being” as operators so that the Washington courses can remain open, but all long-term renovation projects will immediately cease, including the group’s in-progress Rock Creek Park rehabilitation project and others planned for East Potomac Golf Links and Langston Golf Course.
News in recent weeks that the government was considering terminating the lease had sparked widespread outrage from local leaders and public golf enthusiasts and led to speculation the president could be eyeing the properties for redevelopment.
D.C.’s public golf system is known around the region and country for its affordability, scenic views and historical relevance.
A source familiar with the matter told The Hill last week the NLT had retained new legal counsel and was weighing litigation should the lease be terminated.
“This is not the update we wanted to send, and we worked tirelessly to try to avoid this outcome,” the NLT said on Wednesday. “While this termination is a major setback, we remain stubbornly hopeful that a path forward can be found that preserves affordable and accessible public golf in the nation’s capital for generations to come.”
Thank you for reading this content.
If you find it helpful, then checkout : https://plplnews.com/why-trump-is-pulling-troops-from-us-cities-now
Also check out the latest Lexus : https://plplnews.com/7-reasons-the-new-lexus-rx-350h-exquisite-is-a-game-changer
What's Your Reaction?
Like
0
Dislike
0
Love
0
Funny
0
Angry
0
Sad
0
Wow
0
