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President Trump has announced plans to renovate the golf courses at Joint Base Andrews with the help of legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus, adding another project to his growing list of construction and redesign initiatives during his presidency.
Speaking to reporters before boarding Marine One on Saturday, Trump revealed he had taken an aerial tour of the facilities and found them in need of significant improvements. “We’re going to do some work,” Trump said. “We’re doing some fix-up of the base, which it needs. We’re gonna try and reinstitute the golf courses.”
Located in Maryland, approximately 15 miles from the White House, Joint Base Andrews houses Air Force One and features three 18-hole golf courses, three practice putting greens, two private practice areas, and a driving range. The facility has a presidential history, with Gerald Ford being the first president to golf there in 1974, though it was more recently favored by Barack Obama.
“It was a great place that’s been destroyed over the years through lack of maintenance,” Trump remarked, adding that Nicklaus “will be the architect and he’ll design it.” The president noted that the two existing courses are “in very bad shape” but could be rehabilitated “for very little money.”
Nicklaus brings substantial expertise to the project. The golf legend won 18 professional majors and 73 PGA Tour events during his career. His design firm, Nicklaus Design, has completed over 425 courses across 40 states and more than 45 countries worldwide.
The announcement has raised questions about funding and oversight. It remains unclear who will pay for Nicklaus’s design services and how much they might cost. Additionally, as Andrews is military property, questions persist about who will fund improvements to its golf courses or other parts of the grounds. When asked for clarification, Andrews officials deferred queries to the White House, which has not responded to requests for additional details.
Unlike most presidents, Trump rarely golfs at Andrews. He typically prefers playing at his own properties, including his clubs in Bedminster, New Jersey, and Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida. When remaining in Washington, he often visits his course in Sterling, Virginia, near Dulles International Airport.
The Andrews renovation joins a growing list of construction and redesign projects initiated by Trump during his presidency. Work crews have already demolished the East Wing of the White House to make way for a $300 million ballroom, which Trump claims is being funded by himself and private donors, including 37 publicly disclosed contributors.
Other White House modifications include replacing the Rose Garden lawn with a Mar-a-Lago-inspired patio area, redecorating the Lincoln Bathroom and Palm Room, installing a presidential “Walk of Fame” along the Colonnade, erecting large flagpoles on the north and south lawns, and substantially redesigning the Oval Office with ornate golden elements.
Beyond the White House grounds, Trump has also announced plans to construct a Paris-style arch west of the Lincoln Memorial.
While Trump has formally separated from his family business operations during his presidency, the Trump Organization has previously been connected to Nicklaus-designed courses, including Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point in the Bronx (sold to Bally’s Corporation in 2023) and Trump National Jupiter in Florida.
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10 Comments
Teaming up with a legendary golfer like Jack Nicklaus is a savvy move to elevate the prestige of the president’s golf course. Nicklaus’ design expertise should help transform the facilities.
It will be interesting to see if the renovated course attracts more high-profile events and guests beyond just the president.
Golf has long been a pastime for US presidents, so keeping the Joint Base Andrews course in top shape makes sense. The collaboration with Jack Nicklaus lends credibility to the project.
I’m curious to see if the renovated course will host more events and tournaments beyond just presidential use.
While some may question the need to renovate a presidential golf course, it’s understandable that the facilities would require periodic upgrades to maintain their quality and functionality.
As long as the renovations are done responsibly and within budget, it could be a worthwhile investment in an important presidential asset.
Revamping the ‘president’s golf course’ at Joint Base Andrews seems like a prudent move to modernize an aging facility. Bringing in a renowned designer like Jack Nicklaus should help elevate the course’s prestige.
While some may question the use of taxpayer funds, maintaining presidential assets is an important responsibility for the administration.
It will be interesting to see how the ‘president’s golf course’ at Joint Base Andrews is revamped under Trump and Nicklaus. Refurbishing the aging facilities could make for an impressive presidential golf venue.
I’m curious to learn more about the course’s history and the planned renovations. Maintaining presidential facilities is an important responsibility.