East Potomac golfers play final rounds — and say goodbyes
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A golfer swings at East Potomac Golf Links on Wednesday. Photo: Christine Kao/The Washington Post via Getty Images
Mike Dennis drove nearly an hour from Maryland's Frederick County to East Potomac Golf Links on Thursday. He wanted to play one more round.
- And "I wanted to come down here and say goodbye to all my friends," he said.
Why it matters: The beloved public golf course is scheduled to close Sunday as President Trump pursues a sweeping renovation, potentially scattering a community of golfers and employees.
- Trump has proposed turning the 36-hole facility into a championship-caliber 18-hole course, with an estimated closure of 15 months.
- A federal judge is currently considering whether to block the closure, which the National Park Service says will begin at 9pm Sunday. The course isn't listing tee times beyond then.
Meet the regulars: Dennis, who previously lived in Georgetown, began playing at East Potomac during the pandemic.
- He befriended other regulars and the course's employees.
- His greatest memory: shooting an eagle — with a bald eagle watching from a tree above.
As the sun peeked out and the parking lot filled up Thursday around noon, Dennis chatted with Jim Brosky, a retired Army helicopter pilot and paratrooper who lives in Arlington and plays at East Potomac four or five times a week.
- It's an unbeatable six-minute drive from his house; none of the alternatives can match East Potomac's convenience or camaraderie.
- "I play with people that live in D.C., that live in Maryland, that live in Arlington, and there's no partisanship out here on the golf course," he said. "We all have a good time together."
Yes, but: Both golfers acknowledged East Potomac needs renovations.
- They pointed to a deteriorating seawall that contributes to flooding, crumbling cart paths and an aging clubhouse.
- But they wonder whether the people who have long played there will be able to afford it.
By the numbers: Trump's proposed course would stretch more than 8,000 yards, compared with 6,599 yards for the existing Blue course.
- Brosky worried the redesign could be too challenging for older, recreational players such as him.
- And a championship-caliber course could come with significantly higher greens fees. The Trump administration has yet to disclose the final price tag for the renovation or how much golfers will pay to play the new course.
Behind the scenes: The closure also means changes for East Potomac's employees.
- Erin Stolle, regional general manager for East Potomac, Langston and Rock Creek, said workers at East Potomac would be relocated to D.C.'s two other public courses.
- Golf instructor Justan Johnson is among those headed to Langston, where he already teaches occasionally.
What they're saying: Johnson doesn't mind the move — he lives closer to Langston anyway — but says many golfers are frustrated.
- "They want the changes, the upgrades, but it's like, 'We didn't really ask for that,'" he said.
- Johnson also fears the project could drag on far longer than promised.
The bottom line: Brosky sees the potential for a spectacular new course with views of the Washington Monument and Potomac River.
- But he wonders whether he'll recognize the community he leaves behind when he returns.
- "I have mixed emotions about it," he said.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.