Loading… In his expansive plans to remake Washington, President Trump has targeted this run-down but beloved golf course. In his expansive plans to remake Washington, President Trump has targeted this run-down but beloved golf course. Built on a man-made peninsula, East Potomac Golf Links offers 36 holes of affordable play for all skill levels. Built on a man-made peninsula, East Potomac Golf Links offers 36 holes of affordable play for all skill levels. Rendering from Fazio Design In May, the Trump administration unveiled this proposal to transform it into a championship golf destination. In May, the Trump administration unveiled this proposal to transform it into a championship golf destination. The new layout would add about 1,000 yards to the original 18-hole course. A popular nine-hole course would be removed, the plans show. The new layout would add about 1,000 yards to the original 18-hole course. A popular nine-hole course would be removed, the plans show. The redesign would include a large practice range and a short, par-3 course … The redesign would include a large practice range and a short, par-3 course … … in place of a larger, nine-hole course that is favored by intermediate players. … in place of a larger, nine-hole course that is favored by intermediate players. Most would agree that East Potomac Golf Links is in need of a makeover. It has been prone to flooding since first opening to golfers in the 1920s. Age and a limited maintenance budget have taken their toll over the years.In 2020, the National Links Trust, a nonprofit, took over operations, began improvements and made its own renovation plans. But the Trump administration is now pushing for an overhaul with a blueprint by Tom Fazio, who has designed several of the president’s golf courses. The project’s cost is not known and it’s unclear who would pay for it.Mr. Trump has ambitions to model East Potomac after other notable public courses like Bethpage Black and Torrey Pines, which have hosted major professional tournaments. Some locals said the removal of a nine-hole course and the increased difficulty of the 18-hole course would reduce their options and nudge them out.There are other challenges, too. Fixing the property’s flooding and drainage issues could be expensive, and East Potomac’s limited space on the small peninsula could make for a logistical headache.Community concernThe affinity that local players have for the place is clear. They play around the drainage issues and have little interest in watching the pros take over.“The vibe’s incredible,” said Rob Stokes, 33, who had given up golf for several years before discovering East Potomac. “Everyone is having fun. I consider this to be my home course.” East Potomac Golf Links allows golfers to work their way up from beginner courses to more challenging ones. Doug Mills/The New York Times A spokesperson for the Department of the Interior — which would oversee the renovation — said that the course would remain affordable and accessible for the Washington community.Players like Mr. Stokes worry, however, that eliminating an entire nine-hole course would reduce the number of people who could play at East Potomac Golf Links. Under the initial plan, there would be 25 percent fewer holes, leading to fewer available tee times.The lengthening of the 18-hole course could exclude even more golfers. Most golf courses have three to five tee boxes, with the longest ones being farthest from the hole and reserved for the most advanced players.In the proposed design, the total yardage when played from the longest tees is 7,600 yards, compared with the current 6,599 yards. Even the distance from the shortest tees would be 1,100 yards longer on the new course, at 5,740 yards, making the game harder for many.Richard Mandell, a golf course architect who has renovated dozens of private and public courses, said that “maybe the top 2 percent would ever use” the longest tee boxes and suggested adding even shorter ones to
Fuente: NYT — Ver nota original
