What’s Happening NOW?
As friends, supporters, and enjoyers of DC’s municipal golf courses, you know what special places East Potomac, Langston, and Rock Creek are. At the National Links Trust, we know this as well. It’s why we’ve been honored to manage these courses over the last five years. But the future of our stewardship over DC’s municipal golf courses is now facing a direct threat.
On December 12th, the Wall Street Journal reported that the Trump Administration has sent notice that we are in default on our lease, which could lead to termination if not addressed. The notice, which gave no explanation of the alleged violations, has been followed by repeated comments by President Trump indicating plans to take over control of the public courses. As we have publicly stated, we disagree with the characterization that we are in default and are eager to find a way forward that honors the past and ensures a bright future for Rock Creek, East Potomac, and Langston.
When we secured our 50-year lease, the plans for the DC courses – both course rehabilitation and expanded programming – paid homage to their history and the important role each plays in the DC community and golf world at large. While what happens next remains to be seen, one thing is clear: our commitment to those plans has not changed.
As the situation continues to unfold, we are asking for your help in amplifying the importance of preserving this vision in any future plans for the courses. Below, you will find a “How to Help”section that includes articles to share, sample social media posts, and a sample message to share with your friends, family, neighbors, and social network. Our hope is that if more people understand the work of the National Links Trust, our vision for the future, and what might be at risk if the lease is terminated, we can encourage a solution that preserves these ideals.
We are at the beginning of what we expect will be a long road, but rest assured that we remain fully committed to the character and values of these incredibly special places. We will continue to keep you all apprised of developments and hope you can lend support throughout the coming days, weeks, and months.
READ Our Statement
National Links Trust appreciates the President’s interest in the DC golf courses and looks forward to the opportunity to partner with the administration to improve these historically significant facilities. We respectfully disagree with the characterization that we are in default of our lease. In the five years since signing the lease, National Links Trust has worked hand in hand with the National Park Service through the extensive permitting and compliance processes required for these comprehensive renovation projects, the renovation of the Rock Creek golf course, where we are currently under construction. National Links Trust will continue to pursue our mission to positively impact communities through affordable and accessible golf
learn more
NO LAYING UP PODCAST - 12/21/25 - Segment with NLT Co-Founder Mike McCartin starts at 1:13:13. This is the most comprehensive discussion of the most recent developments.
Trump’s attempted takeover of DC golf courses sets off controversy - The Hill, Dominick Mastrangelo, December 22, 2025
President Trump is eyeing a takeover of the Washington, D.C., public golf system, but local golf officials and elected leaders are vowing not to cede control of the city’s affordable courses. The administration earlier this fall sent a notice of default to the National Links Trust, the local public-private nonprofit that has overseen and operated D.C.’s three municipal golf courses since 2020.
Lawmakers criticize Trump’s bid to take over D.C. golf courses
Washington Post, Rick Maese, December 18, 2025
With a takeover threat looming, Democratic lawmakers criticized the Trump administration’s apparent bid to wrest control of Washington’s public golf courses, with one congressman saying the default process that the government is using appears to break from the National Park Service’s lease requirements. The 50-year lease between the National Park Service and nonprofit National Links Trust requires the government to identify specific violations and give the operator time to fix them before declaring a default. But the notice of default sent to the group Oct. 29 — issued by the Interior Department’s Solicitor’s Office — did not list any violations or outline any path to address the situation.
Good public golf at affordable rates? Why would Trump oppose that? [Opinion]
Washington Post, Barry Svrluga, December 17, 2025
The easy and reflexive response to the Trump administration’s designs to take over Washington’s municipal golf courses is some combination of “Hands off!” and “With everything going on around the world, this is worth your time?”
Federal Move Toward Control of D.C. Golf Courses Triggers Political and Legal Scrutiny - Grants Pass Tribune, John Oliver, December 22, 2025
A federal effort linked to President Donald Trump to assume control of Washington, D.C.’s public golf courses has set off a growing controversy that blends politics, contract law, public land management, and concerns over access to community resources. At the center of the dispute are three municipally used courses operated under a long-term lease that critics say is being challenged without sufficient explanation or legal clarity.
Trump’s golf course takeover could disrupt Marine Corps marathon and cherry blossoms
Alternet, Sarah K. Burris, December 18, 2025
President Donald Trump is in the middle of another government takeover attempt that will leave the nation's capital marred by his whims, the Washington Post reported Thursday. Trump seeks control of three public golf courses, breaking a 50-year lease between the National Park Service and the nonprofit National Links Trust. To do so, the government must identify violations, but the Interior Department’s Solicitor’s Office skipped that step when issuing a notice of default on Oct. 29, 2025.
For Black Youth, Public Golf Courses Are Entry Points
The Contrarian, Daryn Dickens, December 16, 2025
Imagine as the sun rises higher, you know it is almost time. You head to the putting green and sink a few practice putts, listening to the quiet rhythm of the golf course waking up. When it is time to start your round, you pick up your clubs and walk to the first hole, your club heads softly clanking with each step. Dry leaves crunch under your feet. You finally reach the tee box and take in the course waiting for you, trees decorated in orange, red, yellow, and brown, contrasting with the bright-green fairway. You tee up your ball, take a breath, and hit one of the purest shots you have hit in a while. You put your club away and begin the long walk forward, surrounded by a peaceful, comfortable, and calming environment.
how to help
Please help us increase awareness about the Trust’s work and the value of DC’s municipal courses by sharing our message with your friends, family, neighbors, and social network. Above are some relevant articles to share and below is some key information we hope can be communicated.
What We want People to Know
● NLT’s commitment to the future of DC’s municipal courses. The National Links Trust remains committed to delivering on the vision we laid out when we began our lease five years ago: – rehabilitating Rock Creek, Lagnston, and East Potomac golf courses in a manner that honors the past and ensures a bright future for these national treasures.
● The importance of these courses to the community. The three DC municipal courses hold a special place in the DC community, the golf community, and the history of the sport. The proposed plans for each course will allow each to fulfill its unmet potential to serve the DC community and change lives through affordable and accessible municipal golf.
● Why does this matter to you?