On May 9, the Trump administration revealed a new agreement with a mix of private and public partners, including Fazio Design, to start major upgrades at East Potomac Golf Links. The historic municipal golf course, located near the National Mall in Washington, is set for a full transformation.

President Donald Trump hopes the redesigned venue will eventually be able to host major championships and even a Ryder Cup.

However, according to Alan Bastable of Golf.com, the renowned golf course architect, Tom Fazio, recalled turning down Donald Trump when first approached late last year. "A quick 'no,'" he said. "Because I don't deal with aggravation."

But after touring the site during a Washington visit with his wife, Sue Fazio, he called Trump back. "I told you no," Fazio told the president, "but you were right," said Fazio.

Fazio has designed four courses in Trump's portfolio, including the first course at Trump Bedminster. He sometimes visits the White House and mostly talks to the president on the phone during weekends.

Trump has big plans for the golf course. The new design will make the course 7,660 yards long from the back tees. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said the goal is to create a top-level golf course that local people can still afford to play.

Fazio went further on the site's potential. "It's Pebble Beach quality land in terms of environment, in terms of setting," he said. "The president's idea is to upgrade it to be literally a national monument, and there's no reason it can't be a national monument."

Trump wants it done fast. Fazio said permits and approvals stand between the president's timeline and breaking ground.

Fazio Confident Trump Will Push Project Across The Finish Line

Fazio said best case, construction starts later this summer, the course gets grassed next summer, and it opens for play in the spring of 2028. Trump's last day in office is Jan. 20, 2029. The timeline is tight.

Fazio noted that the project still needs engineering, environmental, and legal approvals before moving forward, adding that increasing regulations are only driving costs up further.

"He [Trump] wants to get this thing done so people can enjoy it, play it, and not one of these '10 years down the road and drag it out forever' things," Fazio said. "He wants to get it done now."

A federal judge ruled in May that the administration could proceed with maintenance but not a full overhaul without proper approvals. Two D.C.-area golfers and the D.C. Preservation League sued the administration in February, as per Golf.com.

Fazio has received emails from members of the public asking him to walk away from the project.

He isn't walking away. "The president happens to be a guy of action," Fazio said. "He's going to fix it."

Do you think East Potomac can become a Major venue? Tell us in the comments!

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Written by

Sneha Abraham

Edited by

Rudra Dubey