National Links Trust partners with Troon to manage 3 D.C. courses

East Potomac Park, Langston, Rock Creek Park are all included in the deal.

Langston Golf Course
Langston Golf Course
Marcey Frutchey, NPS

Troon is partnering with The National Links Trust, a non-profit entity formed to preserve and protect affordable, accessible and architecturally engaging public access golf, to manage the operations for East Potomac Park, Langston and Rock Creek Park golf courses in Washington, D.C.

The National Links Trust was recently selected by the National Park Service to negotiate a long-term lease for the rehab and operation of the three historic golf properties. The NPS and NLT will begin negotiations immediately with the goal of having a lease in place no later than September 30.

Renowned golf course architects Tom Doak, Gil Hanse and Beau Welling will provide design services for renovation work on the courses, while golf developer Mike Keiser is serving as senior advisor to the NLT. The NLT is also partnering with civic, philanthropic and environmental organizations such as First Tee of Greater Washington, D.C., Golf, My Future. My Game., Anacostia Watershed and many others.

The NLT has proposed a multi-year, multi-million-dollar investment in the restoration and rehabilitation of the golf properties, while simultaneously developing and maintaining environmentally sound open spaces and parks for the benefit of the community, both golfers and non-golfers.

“These properties are more than just golf courses,” NLT co-founder Michael McCartin said. “They are unique cultural and recreational resources with a long and commendable record of offering affordable access to the game of golf. Our plan calls for celebrating the history of the three golf courses, particularly their role in the integration of public golf and recreational facilities in both the greater Washington, D.C. area and the nation. We are honored to take on the responsibility of revitalizing these remarkable properties and look forward to expanding recreational opportunities for underserved communities, including seniors, veterans, individuals with disabilities and those new to golf.”

“Troon is proud, and honored, to be part of The National Links Trust’s all-star team and share in their vision and commitment to bring these historic courses back to their original prominence,” Troon president and CEO Tim Schantz said. “We look forward to being a part of delivering accessible, affordable and engaging public golf to the D.C. area.”