Two avid golfers, Dave Roberts and Alex Dickson, have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration challenging plans to transform East Potomac Golf Links, a public course in Washington, D.C., into a world-class facility.
Project Aims for Major Upgrades
President Trump, a keen golfer, has initiated efforts to bring Potomac Golf Links and other public courses under federal control for extensive refurbishments. In January, he told reporters, “We’re going to make it a beautiful world-class U.S. Open-caliber course. Ideally, we’re going to have major tournaments there and everything else. It’s going to bring a lot of business into Washington.”
The Interior Department ended the lease held by the National Links Trust last year, which managed the site and two other courses, paving the way for federal oversight. The course offers stunning views of the Washington Monument and faces potential total reconstruction.
Lawsuit Alleges Procedural Violations
Roberts and Dickson argue that the Interior Department bypassed critical health and environmental reviews. Their suit seeks to block any lease reassignment until a comprehensive evaluation occurs, citing breaches of the National Environmental Policy Act, National Historic Preservation Act, Administrative Procedure Act, and a congressional mandate to preserve the parkland “forever held and used as a park for the recreation and pleasure of the people.”
“East Potomac Golf Links is a testament to what’s possible with public land and why public spaces matter,” Roberts stated. “It deserves better than becoming a dumping ground for waste and yet another private playground for the privileged and power.”
The DC Preservation League, a nonprofit focused on historic site protection, has joined the legal action.
Trump’s Golfing Profile
President Trump owns golf clubs across the U.S. and abroad, including in Florida, New Jersey, and Scotland, and frequently visits them. A tracking site notes that, as of a recent Saturday, he has golfed on 93 of 392 days since returning to office, about 24% of his time, at an estimated taxpayer cost of $130.2 million. While described as a skilled player, some reports raise questions about possible assistance during rounds.
