The National Links Trust, which operates three municipal golf courses in Washington, D.C., was served a notice of default by the Trump administration, according to a story by the Washington Post.
The report states “the default notice, dated Oct. 29, did not specify reasons the group was in default or how it could remedy any concerns. According to terms of the lease, National Links Trust had 45 days to address any concerns, which means the nonprofit group could lose operational control of the East Potomac, Rock Creek and Langston courses next week.”
National Links Trust has reportedly defended its work to rehabilitate the courses and noting it recently began an extensive renovation at Rock Creek in Upper Northwest. The Post notes the trust is working with Tom Doak at East Potomac Golf Links, Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner at Rock Creek Park Golf and Beau Welling at Langston Golf Course.
“National Links Trust appreciates the President’s interest in the D.C. golf courses and looks forward to the opportunity to partner with the administration to improve these historically significant facilities,” the trust announced in a statement that was released last Friday.
The default notice also lands amid unexplained activity at East Potomac, where in recent weeks trucks have deposited soil from the White House’s East Wing renovation onto the property. Neither the White House nor the National Park Service has explained the purpose of the work, and neither responded to requests for comment Friday night.
Administration officials have not detailed their intentions for the course or the broader D.C. golf system. Plans to overhaul Washington’s public golf courses were underway before the Trump administration showed interest, but recent activity at East Potomac stirred speculation among the city’s golf community.
At East Potomac, however, the recent delivery of soil from the White House grounds fueled questions the administration has not answered. The dirt has been piled between the sixth and ninth holes on the nine-hole White course. Neither the White House nor the National Park Service has provided an explanation, and National Links Trust has not commented.
The lack of communication about the dirt has led to concerns about whether it contains asbestos or other harmful material.
