East Potomac Golf Course sits in East Potomac Park at Hains Point in southwest Washington, DC, and it is scheduled to close on November 15, 2026 for about 15 months of renovation. The National Park Service plans to replace the 36-hole public facility with a Tom Fazio-designed championship course, while a federal lawsuit and a court injunction keep the project in dispute.
Where Is East Potomac Golf Course?
East Potomac Golf Course lies in East Potomac Park, a peninsula in southwest Washington, DC, between the Potomac River and the Washington Channel. The National Park Service owns the land. The course, also called East Potomac Golf Links, opened in 1921 and holds 36 holes. It is the busiest public course in the DC area, with 124,500 rounds in 2025, according to the National Links Trust.
The course now sits at the center of a legal and political fight. President Donald Trump announced on October 18, 2026 that it will close on November 15 for about 15 months. A federal judge, a preservation group and two local golfers are contesting the plan. This report sets out the location, the renovation plan, the closure date and the court record, using filings and news reports through October 29, 2026.
Interesting Facts About East Potomac Golf Course 2026
East Potomac Course Length by Layout (yards)
Blue Course (18 holes) | ██████████████████████████ 6,599
White Course (9 holes) | ██████████ 2,420
Red Course (9 holes) | █████ 1,142| Fact | 2026 Data |
|---|---|
| Location | East Potomac Park, Washington, DC |
| Coordinates | 38.8703°N, 77.0263°W |
| Holes | 36 (18 plus 9 plus 9) |
| Opened | March 15, 1921 |
| Rounds played in 2025 | 124,500 |
| Planned closure date | November 15, 2026 |
| Planned closure length | About 15 months |
| Reported cost estimate | $20 million to $49 million |
Source: National Park Service; National Links Trust; US Department of Justice court filing as reported by the Associated Press; CNN, October 2026.
East Potomac has three layouts. The Blue Course is an 18-hole, par 72 course of 6,599 yards, designed by Walter Travis. The White Course has 9 holes and runs 2,420 yards. The Red Course has 9 holes and runs 1,142 yards. The park also holds a miniature golf course that opened in 1930. The facility drew 124,500 rounds in 2025, which made it the busiest course in the DC area.
The closure and cost figures come from 2026 reports. The Justice Department told a federal court that the park south of Buckeye Drive, including the golf course, will close on November 15. CNN and other outlets reported a federal contract estimate of $20 million to $49 million. That estimate comes from documents cited by CNN, and the administration has not published a final project budget.
East Potomac Golf Course Location and Ownership 2026
Years Since East Potomac Milestones, as of 2026
Course opened (1921) | █████████████████████ 105 years
Miniature golf opened (1930) | ███████████████████ 96 years
City courses desegregated (1955) | ██████████████ 71 years
National Links Trust lease (2020) | █ 6 years| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Park | East Potomac Park (Hains Point), southwest Washington, DC |
| Setting | Peninsula between the Potomac River and the Washington Channel |
| Land owner | National Park Service |
| Operator | National Links Trust, with Troon Golf |
| Lease signed | October 2, 2020 (50 years) |
| Other DC public courses | Rock Creek and Langston |
| Courses National Links Trust keeps operating | 2 |
Source: National Park Service lease announcement, October 2, 2020; Department of Justice filing as reported by the Associated Press, October 28, 2026.
The course occupies the southern end of the park, near Hains Point, with views of the Washington Monument and the Potomac. The National Park Service owns it. In October 2020, the agency signed a 50-year lease with the nonprofit National Links Trust to run East Potomac, Langston and Rock Creek. The trust pledged affordable play, youth programs and a restoration of Walter Travis’s design.
That lease changed. The Interior Department ended the trust’s lease at the end of 2025, and the trust kept operating the courses under an interim arrangement. A new agreement, described in the Justice Department’s October filing, ends the trust’s operation of East Potomac on or before November 15, 2026. The trust will continue to operate 2 other public courses, Rock Creek and Langston.
East Potomac Golf Course Closure Date and Renovation Plan 2026
Reported Cost Estimate for the East Potomac Plan ($ millions)
Low estimate | ██████████ $20M
High estimate | ████████████████████████ $49M| Item | 2026 Detail |
|---|---|
| Closure date | November 15, 2026 |
| Closure length | About 15 months |
| Reopening (Trump’s timeline) | About February 2028 |
| Courses after renovation | 1 (down from 3) |
| Designer | Tom Fazio |
| Stated goal | Host major events such as the US Open and PGA Championship |
| Planning review filing | October 30, 2026 |
| Cost estimate | $20 million to $49 million |
Source: Trump statements as reported by The Washington Post and DC News Now, October 18-19, 2026; Department of Justice filing, October 28, 2026; CNN, September 17, 2026.
Trump said on October 18, 2026 that the current course will close on November 15 and reopen about 15 months later. He described a plan that reduces East Potomac from 3 courses to 1 championship course, with a new driving range and putting course. A drawing he posted appears to show the loss of a stretch of Ohio Drive used by cyclists and walkers. The Justice Department says the National Park Service will send the Fazio rendering to the National Capital Planning Commission on October 30.
The cost and the review steps are part of the dispute. Reports put the contract estimate at $20 million to $49 million. In September 2026, the administration awarded a contract to Vanasse Hangen Brustlin for environmental and historic preservation compliance work. Government lawyers acknowledged in a July hearing that major renovation would require federal environmental and historic reviews. Trump has called the current course dangerous and in need of a revamp.
East Potomac Lawsuit and Tree Removal Statistics 2026
East Potomac Tree Counts, October 2026
Removed (healthy, non-invasive) | █████████ 430
First identified for removal | ███████████ 529
Later estimated total | ███████████████ 729| Metric | 2026 Figure |
|---|---|
| Lawsuit filed | February 2026 |
| Plaintiffs | DC Preservation League and 2 golfers |
| Trees first identified for removal | 529 |
| Trees later estimated for removal | 729 |
| Healthy, non-invasive trees removed in hours | 430 |
| Judge’s written opinion | 70 pages |
| Notice required before major changes | 10 days |
Source: US District Court filings and Judge Ana Reyes’s opinion as reported by NPR, CNN and ABC News; Forbes, October 18, 2026; Associated Press.
The DC Preservation League and two East Potomac golfers sued the Interior Department and the National Park Service in February 2026. They allege violations of environmental and other federal requirements. In mid-October, crews cut down hundreds of trees. The Park Service first identified 529 trees, and a later court filing put the possible total at 729. Forbes reported that the administration acknowledged removing 430 healthy, non-invasive trees within hours.
Judge Ana Reyes blocked further tree removal and, in a 70-page opinion issued October 26, extended the order. The injunction bars removing or damaging more trees. It requires 10 days of written notice before any irreparable change to the course or any plan to close it. Reyes also found the government’s court statements hard to square with Trump’s public posts. The administration has said it will appeal and has sought to remove the judge.
East Potomac Golf Course History and Usage Statistics 2026
Cumulative Holes at East Potomac, 1921 to 1925
1921 (first 9 holes) | ████ 9 holes
1922 (18 holes) | █████████ 18 holes
1925 (36 holes) | ██████████████████ 36 holes| Milestone | Date or Figure |
|---|---|
| First 9 holes opened | March 15, 1921 |
| 18 holes reached | 1922 |
| 36 holes reached | May 30, 1925 |
| Miniature golf opened | 1930 |
| DC public courses desegregated | 1955 |
| Rounds in 2025 | 124,500 |
| Capital improvements by National Links Trust | $8.5 million |
Source: National Park Service; National Links Trust statements as reported by Fortune and Axios; historical records of the course.
The course grew in stages. The first 9 holes opened on March 15, 1921, and President Warren Harding was among the first to play. The course reached 18 holes by 1922 and 36 holes on May 30, 1925. The miniature golf course followed in 1930. African American golfers were barred until the city’s courses were desegregated in 1955.
Usage data comes from the operator. National Links Trust reports 124,500 rounds in 2025 and says it invested $8.5 million in capital improvements across its courses. It also says rounds and revenue more than doubled under its management. Axios reported that the trust’s co-founder estimated a seawall for East Potomac would cost $400 million. Those figures are the operator’s own, so treat them as claims, not audited totals.
East Potomac Golf Course Layout and Scorecard Statistics 2026
Par by East Potomac Course
Blue Course | ████████████████████████ 72
White Course | ██████████ 31
Red Course | █████████ 27| Course | Holes | Designer | Par | Length (yards) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Course | 18 | Walter Travis | 72 | 6,599 |
| White Course | 9 | Robert White | 31 | 2,420 |
| Red Course | 9 | Robert White | 27 | 1,142 |
| Driving range | 100 stalls | Two tiers | None | 26 heated stalls |
Source: National Links Trust course data; The Washington Post course guide; historical course records.
The three layouts total 36 holes, 130 par and 10,161 yards. The Blue Course carries the competitive play. Its 6,599 yards and 70.5 course rating make it a full-length test, and its holes average about 367 yards. The White Course averages about 269 yards a hole, and the Red Course about 127 yards a hole, which suits beginners and short rounds.
Support facilities sit around the layouts. The range has 100 stalls on 2 tiers, and 26 of them are heated. The site also has putting greens, 3 practice holes and a miniature course. Reviews describe the Blue Course as flat and easy, with poor drainage in places. The renovation plan would replace these 3 layouts and the range with 1 championship course and a new range.
East Potomac Golf Course Official Actions and Stakeholder Positions 2026
Days Before the November 15 Closure
House Democrats' letter (Sep 16) | ██████████████████████████████ 60 days
First injunction (Oct 14) | ████████████████ 32 days
Court opinion (Oct 26) | ██████████ 20 days
DOJ filing (Oct 28) | █████████ 18 days| Actor | Action or Position | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Interior Department | Ends the National Links Trust lease | Late 2025 |
| DC Preservation League and 2 golfers | File suit over the plan | February 2026 |
| 5 House Democrats | Send a letter to the Interior Secretary and Park Service | September 16, 2026 |
| Judge Ana Reyes | Blocks further tree removal | October 14, 2026 |
| President Trump | Announces closure and a championship course | October 18, 2026 |
| Judge Ana Reyes | Issues 70-page opinion with 10-day notice rule | October 26, 2026 |
| Justice Department | Confirms closure plan in a court filing | October 28, 2026 |
Source: Associated Press; NPR; CNN; ABC News; House Natural Resources Committee Democrats letter, September 16, 2026.
The sides disagree on the facts and the remedy. The administration says the course needs a major rebuild and calls the current layout dangerous. Trump has said golfers are being hit by balls, according to Newsweek. The plaintiffs say the park and course should stay playable during any repairs. Their lawyers want the original restoration plan, which kept the course open.
Other actors weigh in on process and cost. Five House Democrats sent a letter on September 16 about the East Potomac plan and its contracts. The National Links Trust said it was devastated by the lease termination and defended its management record. The planned closure is 60 days after that letter, 32 days after the first injunction and 18 days after the Justice Department filing. Each date shows how little time the parties have before November 15.
East Potomac Golf Course Timeline and Key Dates 2026
Days After the October 18 Closure Announcement
Court opinion (Oct 26) | ████████ 8 days
DOJ filing (Oct 28) | ██████████ 10 days
Planning review filing (Oct 30) | ████████████ 12 days
Closure date (Nov 15) | ████████████████████████████ 28 days| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Late 2025 | Interior Department ends the National Links Trust lease |
| February 2026 | Preservation group and golfers file suit |
| May-June 2026 | Interior unveils a Fazio design |
| September 2026 | Contract awarded for environmental and historic review |
| Mid-October 2026 | Hundreds of trees cut; judge blocks more removal |
| October 18, 2026 | Trump announces November 15 closure |
| October 26, 2026 | Judge issues 70-page opinion |
| October 28, 2026 | Justice Department confirms closure plan in a filing |
| October 30, 2026 | Rendering due at the planning commission |
| November 15, 2026 | Scheduled closure |
Source: Associated Press; NPR; CNN; Newsweek; Washington Post, October 2026.
The pace of events is fast. Trump announced the closure 28 days before the date he gave. The judge’s opinion came 8 days after the announcement, and the Justice Department filing came 10 days after. The planning commission submission is due 12 days after. Reyes had asked whether any plan existed to close the course around November 15, and the department’s filing answered that it does.
The closure date still faces uncertainty. The injunction requires 10 days of notice before any irreparable change, and the administration says it will appeal. Reyes ordered Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward Jr. to appear at a status hearing. Golfers who want to play East Potomac should expect it to close on November 15 unless a court order changes the date.
East Potomac Golf Course 2026 – Frequently Asked Questions
Where Is East Potomac Golf Course Located in 2026?
East Potomac Golf Course is in East Potomac Park at Hains Point in southwest Washington, DC. The park sits on a peninsula between the Potomac River and the Washington Channel. The coordinates are 38.8703°N, 77.0263°W.
When Will East Potomac Golf Course Close in 2026?
The National Park Service plans to close East Potomac Park south of Buckeye Drive, including the golf course, on November 15, 2026. A Justice Department filing dated October 28 confirms the date. A court order requires 10 days of notice before any irreparable change.
How Long Will East Potomac Golf Course Be Closed?
Trump said the course will close for about 15 months. That points to a reopening near February 2028. The timeline depends on court rulings and on federal environmental and historic reviews.
What Is the East Potomac Golf Course Renovation Plan?
The plan reduces the facility from 3 courses to 1 championship course designed by Tom Fazio. It adds a new driving range and putting course. Trump says the course will host major events such as the US Open and PGA Championship.
Who Owns East Potomac Golf Course in 2026?
The National Park Service owns the land. National Links Trust, with Troon Golf, has operated the course under a lease signed on October 2, 2020. The trust will stop operating East Potomac on or before November 15, 2026.
How Many Holes Does East Potomac Golf Course Have in 2026?
East Potomac has 36 holes: an 18-hole Blue Course, a 9-hole White Course and a 9-hole Red Course. It also has a miniature golf course that opened in 1930.
How Much Will the East Potomac Renovation Cost in 2026?
CNN reported a federal contract estimate of $20 million to $49 million. The administration has not published a final budget. The figure could change as environmental and historic reviews proceed.
Why Is There a Lawsuit Over East Potomac Golf Course in 2026?
The DC Preservation League and 2 golfers sued in February 2026. They allege violations of environmental and other federal requirements. Judge Ana Reyes issued an injunction that bars further tree removal and requires advance notice of major changes.
How Many Trees Were Cut at East Potomac Golf Course in 2026?
The Park Service first identified 529 trees and later estimated 729 in total. Forbes reported that the administration acknowledged removing 430 healthy, non-invasive trees within hours.
Where Else Can You Play Public Golf in Washington, DC After East Potomac Closes?
National Links Trust will continue to operate 2 other public courses, Rock Creek and Langston under the new lease agreement. Check the operator for tee times and rates before you travel.
Disclaimer: This research report is compiled from publicly available sources. While reasonable efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, no representation or warranty, express or implied, is given as to the completeness or reliability of the information. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions, losses, or damages of any kind arising from the use of this report.