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National Links Trust

Website

https://www.nationallinkstrust.org

Founded in 2019, National Links Trust (NLT) is a non-profit dedicated to positively impacting the Washington, DC community and changing lives through affordable and accessible municipal golf. NLT has a 50-year lease with the National Park Service to operate and rehabilitate Washington, DC’s three public golf courses – Rock Creek Park Golf, Langston Golf Course, and East Potomac Golf Links – that are valuable historic and cultural assets of the city. Today, NLT leads community-focused programs like the Jack Vardaman Workforce Development Program – a paid internship and caddie program that provides local teens with scholarship opportunities and skills for future professional and academic success – and Free Lesson Friday – a free beginner golf instruction series for DC residents of all ages. While running these community programs and investing in short-term improvement projects like the restoration of East Potomac Miniature Golf – the oldest continuously operating miniature golf course in the United States – NLT is building towards a series of long-term rehabilitation projects at their facilities dubbed ‘The Nation’s Capital Project’. 

The Nation’s Capital Project will begin at Rock Creek Park Golf in the near future. The property was originally home to a William Flynn-designed 18-hole course, though over the past several decades, it fell into disrepair. With NLT’s vision, the facility will be reimagined to include a 9-hole regulation course inspired by Flynn’s work and designed by Gil Hanse and Jim Wager, a 9-hole par 3 course also designed by Hanse and Wagner, a new driving range, Himalayas-inspired putting green, and clubhouse that will include dedicated space for headquarters of the First Tee – Greater Washington, DC. In total, this project will allow for NLT to have an even greater positive impact on the community through golf and help make the game more accessible (while maintaining affordability!) for thousands of DC residents. Following this project, Beau Welling and Tom Doak will aid in the rehabilitation of Langston Golf Course and East Potomac Golf Links, respectively.

Learn more about National Links Trust at nationallinkstrust.org.