My partner Alan Bastable visited the nation’s capital this week to check out the DC-style golf action, on the federal courts and on the East Potomac Golf Links. I’ve been on the course twice, once to play and a second time because it was in the news, courtesy of President Trump. Trump’s golf activities often become part of the public discourse. In 2017, Senator Lindsey Graham spent half an hour giving me a blow-by-blow account of the 73 he said Trump shot at Trump National Washington — or was it a 74?
What is happening now was inevitable: Trump’s passion for golf and his penchant for building things – and golf courses are at the top of that list – will find a way into his presidency and therefore become news. This next statement comes from a place of golf, not politics: It is a shame that, in his plans suddenly for East Potomac Golf LinksTrump is imposing his golfing tastes on a public course located on federal land managed by the National Park Service. This is a PSA on behalf of Constituency Services.
Golf at East Potomac, an artificial island of questionable buoyancy, is public in every sense. If there was a time to ask the golf public what it wants – instead of saying golfers what they have to get – that is.
What makes the collection of five courses to Bethpage State Park on Long Island so remarkable is that there is something for everyone here. You almost have it at East Potomac, where there are 36 holes plus a mini-golf course and driving range. What is missing is the elite, “championship” course that Bethpage has – the fearsome Bethpage Black. Trump’s plan would leave the artificial peninsula of Hains Point with an elite, “championship” course, a single 18-hole course that plays more than 7,600 yards, all extended.
That’s great, if you’re a sub-75 amateur golfer, you’re a club-champ golfer, you’re a tournament golfer. And, yes, people line up, and break out their credit cards in the process, to play at TPC Sawgrass and Pebble Beach and Pinehurst No. 2, without a prayer of breaking 100. There is something to be said for aspirational golf, I-played-where-the-pros-play and all that. Trump, as a golf entrepreneur, has a good understanding of this. From all appearances, that’s what East Potomac wants.
The thing is, it’s not his.
3 things I think
amateur architect: This is the time of year when you can play golf course architect. Play alone and late on a cool day when no one is out. Combine the second and third holes in one. . . par-6 Second shot over the second green and into the first part of the third fairway. Followed by a semi-duff, in this example. Maybe it should be a 7? Yes, it’s a par-7. You can do it. You are the architect.
Golf reveals all: Speaking of singleton golf, my great friend and ex Sports Illustrated colleague John Garrity was playing his home course by himself recently, carrying his bag (at 79) as always. Walking into a mountain, he suddenly felt very, very weak. He wondered if he might be having a heart attack. So he didn’t finish the hole and walked past the pro shop and his car – with his golf clubs. That’s right John. Turns out, he was have a heart attack. He had heart surgery. It’s okay, PTD! (Praise the documents.) He said, “Why I didn’t call the pro shop and ask them to come get me, I don’t know.” Because it’s not like that John. I reminded him of the time he, our friend Alan Shipnuck, and I were playing at Erin Hills on an exceptionally hot August night—and Shipnuck called into the shop to ask someone to come out with something. . . Off! Let’s laugh So was Alan.
