Pablo Torre Finds Out National Treasure: The White House's Dirty Takeover of Public Golf Courses
9 snips
Jan 23, 2026 
Garrett Morrison, a golf course architect and writer for Fried Egg Golf, dives into the political maneuvering behind public golf courses in D.C. He reveals how Trump's administration aims to reshape these historic courses, questioning transparency and safety amid controversial renovations. Morrison discusses the National Links Trust's struggle to maintain affordable access at East Potomac and the significance of Langston for Black golf. The conversation also touches on dubious AI-generated logos and community fears about the future of these cherished greens.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Municipal Golf As Community Infrastructure
- East Potomac and two other DC municipal courses are public assets leased to the National Links Trust in 2020 for 50 years.
- These courses serve diverse communities and provide affordable, accessible golf from beginners to serious players.
A Director’s Tour Of The Courses
- Damian Cosby describes East Potomac as a busy public park with mini golf, driving range, and three tiers of courses for all levels.
- Langston holds deep Black golf history and served as a crucial community hub during segregation and after.
Luxury Design Versus Public Access
- Tom Fazio, a luxury golf architect with ties to Trump, toured East Potomac and influenced the aesthetic direction discussed by the administration.
- Fazio's style favors sculpted, high-end features that clash with municipal-accessibility goals.