A damaged fence and deteriorating fairways mark East Potomac Golf Links ahead of a planned closure on Saturday for a historic overhaul.
The National Links Trust announced in May that the Trump administration will fund the restoration of the public D.C. course located along the Potomac River near the National Mall.
President Donald Trump criticized the property on Truth Social, labeling it “Trash Island” and calling it the “worst” golf course in the world. He shared photographs of the grounds showing damaged infrastructure and poor turf conditions. The property sits on federally owned land at East Potomac Park.
“Unfortunately, Judge Ana Reyes doesn’t want us to quickly and inexpensively fix up the Course,” Trump said in a Saturday Truth Social post. He added that the course features fairways that are far too close together.
“When you walk down the corridors of Trash Island, you don’t hear the sound of the running Potomac, all you hear is the sound of people screaming, ‘FORE!’,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The multimillion-dollar redevelopment plan faces legal challenges in federal court. U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes stated she would open a formal inquiry to investigate whether attorneys for the Trump administration violated ethical boundaries during the ongoing legal dispute regarding the project.
Reyes also temporarily halted additional tree removal at the site amid a separate legal challenge over construction work, as reported by The Associated Press. The project is designed by Tom Fazio to transform the federally owned public venue into a championship-level facility.
Trump defended the initiative despite the judicial roadblocks. “In any event, we’re making progress, and hopefully the Judge will agree that the Dignity, Beauty, and Importance of Washington, D.C., will be greatly enhanced by this soon to be beautiful Project,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The proposed redesign aims to position the public facility to host major professional golf tournaments, including the U.S. Open, the PGA Championship, the Ryder Cup, and the Presidents Cup. An artist’s rendering shared on social media illustrated the proposed layout.
Local golfers will retain access to the venue once construction concludes. The project plan guarantees that D.C.-area residents will be able to play the renovated course for half-price.
“Trash Island, after years of laughter and scorn, will evolve into something very special, something which the Judge will be able to take great pride in seeing!,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The public D.C. golf course is set to close for its major overhaul on Saturday.
Renowned golf course architect Tom Fazio created the redesign plans for the historic property along the Potomac River.
The administration stated the upgraded venue has the potential to host major events like the U.S. Open, the PGA Championship, the Ryder Cup, and the Presidents Cup.