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[quote=Anonymous]And, it's official... Trump is trying to take control of DC golf courses.  First the tennis courts and now the golf courses. Next he will start building a casino/hotel on the mall

STATEMENT FROM THE LANGSTON GOLF COURSE CONSERVANCY

Dear Friends of Langston,

Happy New Year! As we welcome 2026 at midnight, we celebrate the promise of new beginnings and the strength of our community. We hope you ring in the new year surrounded by loved ones and are looking forward to all the possibilities ahead.

However, as we step into this new year, we must confront an urgent challenge. Today, we confirmed that the Trump administration has officially terminated the National Links Trust's lease to seize control of Washington, D.C.'s three historic public golf courses, including our beloved Langston. This fight may define much of our work in 2026, but together, we will protect Langston's legacy as an affordable, accessible public treasure. Please read our full statement below, and know that we will keep you informed every step of the way.

With gratitude and resolve,

Patrice Davenport, Board Chair

Langston Golf Course Conservancy

Statement Regarding the Termination of National Links Trust Lease and Federal Takeover of DC's Public Golf Courses

December 31, 2025

The Langston Golf Course Conservancy is deeply troubled by yesterday's notice that the Trump administration has officially terminated the 50-year lease with the National Links Trust, to seize control of Washington, D.C.'s three historic public golf courses: Langston, Rock Creek, and East Potomac. This abrupt action undermines years of careful planning, community collaboration, and mission-driven stewardship—and threatens the very future of these irreplaceable public assets.

A Troubling Process, A Dangerous Precedent

The manner in which this lease termination has been executed raises serious legal and ethical concerns. The Interior Department issued a notice of default in October without identifying specific violations or providing a path to remedy any alleged issues—a clear departure from the lease requirements established with the National Park Service. Tuesday's termination letter similarly fails to justify this drastic action.

The claim that National Links Trust has not moved quickly enough is a red herring. In reality, NLT has been working diligently through the extensive federal permitting and compliance processes required for comprehensive renovation projects on federal land—processes that include environmental assessments and approvals from the Commission of Fine Arts, the National Capital Planning Commission, and the Office of Historic Preservation. Rock Creek renovation is currently underway, with renowned architects Gil Hanse, Tom Doak, and Beau Welling donating their services pro bono for each course.

What This Means for Langston and Public Access

Washington, D.C.'s public golf courses should embody the finest examples of golf course architecture, environmental stewardship, and customer service—world-class amenities accessible to all at affordable rates. These are civic spaces that deserve premium care and investment while remaining open and welcoming to everyone, regardless of income or background.

Langston Golf Course, in particular, holds profound national significance. Opened in 1939 and named after John Mercer Langston—an abolitionist, Howard University educator, diplomat, and the first Black Representative from Virginia in the U.S. House—Langston was built during segregation as one of the few places where Black Washingtonians could play golf with dignity.

For generations, Langston has served as a gateway to the game, a hub for youth golf education through partnerships with organizations like the Langston Junior Boys and Girls Golf Club, and a source of immense community pride. It remains one of the most affordable and accessible courses in the region—where beginners learn, seniors stay active, juniors find mentorship, and families connect with green space.

The National Links Trust has proven to be an exemplary steward, reinvesting in infrastructure, prioritizing community access, honoring historic preservation, and working closely with local stakeholders including our Conservancy. Plans for environmental restoration, course improvements, and expanded youth programming were designed to strengthen Langston for future generations while preserving its soul and establishing it as a preeminent golf destination that serves as a national model for cultural preservation, environmental sustainability, and community engagement.

The Real Concern: Privatization and Loss of Public Mission

Our greatest fear is that this federal takeover is a precursor to privatization or redevelopment that would eliminate affordable public access and erase Langston's community-centered mission. Across the country, privatization of public land has too often resulted in higher fees, reduced access, and diminished community voice. Replacing a mission-driven nonprofit steward with federal control—or worse, a privatized model—would betray the public trust and dishonor Langston's legacy.

Langston Golf Course is more than a golf course, it tells a distinctly American story that intersects civil rights, public space, and the evolution of leisure in the nation’s capital. To disrupt its stewardship without clear justification, proper process, or community consent dishonors that legacy and threatens to dismantle progress being made toward Langston becoming a world-class municipal golf course.

Our Call to Action

We call on District leaders, members of Congress, community members, and all who value public land and historic preservation to:

Demand transparency about the administration's plans for these courses and assurances that they will remain affordable and accessible to all[/quote]

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