What Trump’s proposed D.C. muni overhaul overlooks

Michael Bamberger’s colleague Alan Bastable visited Washington this week to examine the local golf scene, from federal court to East Potomac Golf Links. Bamberger himself has played the course twice: once to play it, and a second time because it had become part of the news surrounding President Donald Trump.

As the GOLF.com contributor notes, Trump’s passion for golf and his tendency to build large-scale projects were bound to become part of his presidency. But Bamberger stresses that he is writing from a golf perspective, not a political one. In his view, it is a shame that Trump’s plans to remake East Potomac impose his golfing preferences on a public course located on federal land and managed by the National Park Service.

East Potomac is public in every sense. Bamberger believes that if there were ever a time to ask local golfers what they want instead of simply telling them what they will get, this is it.

For comparison, he points to Bethpage State Park on Long Island, where five courses offer something for players of many different levels. East Potomac nearly has that same range: it has 36 holes, a mini-golf course and a driving range. What it lacks is an elite championship-level course like the fearsome Bethpage Black.

Trump’s plan would leave the man-made Hains Point peninsula with one elite championship-style 18-hole course measuring more than 7,600 yards. That would suit an amateur who shoots below 75, a club-championship golfer or a tournament player. People line up and spend heavily to play TPC Sawgrass, Pebble Beach and Pinehurst No. 2 even without expecting to break 100. There is value in aspirational golf and in playing where the professionals play, Bamberger writes. Trump, as a golf entrepreneur, understands that well.

But, the author emphasizes, the central problem is simple: East Potomac does not belong to Trump.

Three things Bamberger is thinking about

Amateur architect. This is the time of year when you can play golf-course architect. You are playing alone, late on a cool day, with nobody else around, and you start combining the second and third holes into a par-6. The second shot goes over the second green and into the early part of the third fairway, followed by a near-duff in this example. Maybe it should be a par-7? Yes, a par-7. When you play alone, you are the architect.

Golf reveals all. Bamberger writes about his close friend and former Sports Illustrated colleague John Garrity. Some time ago, the 79-year-old Garrity was playing his home course alone, carrying his bag as he always does. While walking uphill, he suddenly felt extremely weak and wondered whether he was having a heart attack. He did not finish the hole, walked past the pro shop and reached his car with his golf clubs. That was very John.

It turned out he was having a heart attack. Garrity underwent heart surgery and is doing fine. “Why I didn’t call the pro shop and ask them to come get me, I don’t know,” he said.

Bamberger reminded him of the time he, Garrity and Alan Shipnuck played Erin Hills on an exceptionally buggy August night. Shipnuck called the shop and asked someone to come out with some Off! They laughed. That was very Alan.

Scottie and Tiger. Bamberger only recently learned that Scottie Scheffler has played just one round of competitive golf with Tiger Woods. It was the fourth round of the 2020 Masters. Woods, the defending champion, made a 10 on the 12th hole and then played the remaining six holes in five under par.

Scheffler had not won on the PGA Tour at the time. He has won 22 times since. Scheffler has said that round changed him as a golfer: it made him understand what it means to be fully committed to every shot. That is difficult, but the best players do it—some of them, anyway.

Michael Bamberger’s article was published on GOLF.com on October 22, 2026.