As the world celebrated New Year’s Eve, the Donald Trump administration ended the 50-year lease of East Potomac Golf Links, Langston Golf Course, and Rock Creek Park Golf courses. It was a move months in the making. 

The Department of the Interior officially terminated the lease agreement with the National Links Trust, a nonprofit organization that managed the three golf courses on federal land. The Trump administration cited alleged failures by the nonprofit to satisfy capital-improvement requirements and other lease obligations as the basis for its decision. 

As per the termination notice sent by DOI solicitor William L. Doffermyre on October 29, the organization owed the government unpaid rent of $8.8 million.

The letter claimed that the trust has “failed to provide National Park Services with reasonable assurances that NLT has the necessary funding, ability, or plan to fulfill its capital-investment obligations.”  However, officials from NLT claimed that the National Park Service allowed rent offsets by course improvements. 

The nonprofit organization stated, “The National Links Trust is devastated by the Trump administration’s decision. Since taking over stewardship of Rock Creek, East Potomac, and Langston courses five years ago, NLT has consistently complied with all lease obligations as we work to ensure the brightest possible future for public golf in D.C.”

NLT’s also claimed that it invested $8.5 million in capital improvement projects. The result? It reportedly increased the rounds played and revenue since taking the lease. Now, the courses’ future lies in uncertain waters.

Officials say the courses will remain open in the short term while steps are taken to transition management. However, major construction efforts, including revitalization work at Rock Creek Park, have stopped. Although the DOI led proceedings for the Washington courses, the POTUS himself is a bonafied golf enthusiast.

A Look at Donald Trump’s Global Golf Course Holdings

Donald Trump acquired his first golf course in 1999 through the Trump Organization. And since then, he has expanded aggressively. As of the end of 2025, the POTUS controls 18 golf courses throughout the globe. 

Among his most prominent assets in America are the Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in New Jersey, the Trump National Golf Club, Jupiter and West Palm Beach in Florida, and the Trump National Golf Club, Los Angeles. Across the Atlantic, Donald Trump owns iconic venues like the Trump Turnberry and Trump International Golf Links in Scotland. Additionally, he also has a course in Ireland and Dubai. 

Many of the properties are celebrated for their design and amenities. That being said, what happens next will shape the future of municipal golf in Washington, D.C. Nevertheless, the nonprofit trust remains hopeful for a solution that "preserves affordable and accessible public golf."

Written by

Krushna Pattnaik

Edited by

Sagnik Bagchi