WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President Donald Trump has spent much of his two-week vacation in Florida golfing. But upon returning to the White House, he has his sights set on a military golf course he has yet to play, eyeing it for a major renovation.
Long revered as a private getaway for presidents, the Courses at Andrews at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland are known as the president’s golf course. Many former presidents, including Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, and Barack Obama, have enjoyed rounds there. Obama notably played approximately 110 times during his eight-year term, outpacing his predecessors.
While Trump traditionally favored the golf courses owned by his family—spending nearly one-quarter of his tenure at one of them—he has now engaged golfing champion Jack Nicklaus as the architect for the overhaul of the Courses at Andrews.
“It’s remarkable how a person can spare time amidst global crises,” observed Michael Thomas, the former general manager of the course, who has shared rounds with multiple presidents.
Andrews, also notable as the base for Air Force One, features two 18-hole courses and a 9-hole layout. Renovations to the facilities have occurred over the years, including funding approved in 2018 to replace aging aircraft, necessitating alterations to the courses.
Recently, Trump and Nicklaus surveyed the base via helicopter prior to Thanksgiving, with Trump describing Andrews as a great place that has been neglected over the years due to insufficient maintenance. Opinions among other golfers, however, indicate the courses sustain decent conditions, even with some dry areas.
‘They all like to drive the cart’
The first president to play golf at Andrews was Ford in 1974, and many high-profile golfers, including Obama and both George Bushes, have enjoyed the grounds over the years, often under the watchful eyes of the Secret Service using a fleet of golf carts for security. Trump himself estimates he has spent 92 days golfing during his second term, frequently playing at courses he owns.
Trump's renovation proposal signifies the most substantial update in the history of Andrews, addressing wear and tear on the courses and clubhouse while incorporating ideas for a multifunctional event center, as articulated by a White House spokesperson.
Plans remain in the early stages, with costs and funding yet to be defined. Trump has casually assured that the project will necessitate very little money.
This renovation joins Trump's broader repertoire of construction efforts, which includes transformative projects at the White House and the Kennedy Center, among others.
The courses, generally reserved for military members and their families, will undergo careful management to maintain security while accommodating presidential gameplay.
