Presidential Greens: Trump Eyes Major Renovation for Joint Base Andrews Golf Course
While President Donald Trump has often favored his family’s private golf estates during his tenure, a new, ambitious construction project is now on his radar: a significant overhaul of the Courses at Andrews. This military golf course, nestled within the secure confines of Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, has long served as a discreet retreat for presidents seeking respite from the immense pressures of the Oval Office.
Unlike his predecessors, who frequently teed off at Andrews—Barack Obama notably played it around 110 times—Trump has never played a round on its fairways. Yet, he’s now enlisted golf legend Jack Nicklaus to reimagine what’s affectionately known as the “president’s golf course.”
A Storied History: The President’s Golf Course
The Courses at Andrews boast a rich history, with its greens first welcoming a sitting president, Gerald Ford, in 1974. Since then, a roster of commanders-in-chief, including Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and even Vice President Joe Biden, have walked its fairways. Michael Thomas, the former general manager who retired in 2019 after decades at Andrews, recalls golfing with many of them, observing that despite their immense responsibilities, “they’re people like everybody else” who appreciate a few hours away.
Andrews, more famously known as the home of Air Force One, features two 18-hole courses and a 9-hole option. While the facilities have seen past renovations—including alterations in 2018 linked to presidential aircraft upgrades—Trump’s vision appears to be on a grander scale.
Trump’s Vision: From “Destroyed” to Designed by Nicklaus
Following a pre-Thanksgiving helicopter tour of the base with Nicklaus, President Trump described Andrews as “a great place, that’s been destroyed over the years, through lack of maintenance.” This assessment, however, contrasts with many golfers’ reviews, which praise the course’s mature trees, challenging roughs, and scenic water hazards, describing its grounds as generally in good shape despite some dry patches.
Regardless of differing opinions on its current state, the White House confirms that the renovation will be the most significant in the course’s history. White House spokesman Davis Ingle stated, “President Trump is a champion-level golfer with an extraordinary eye for detail and design. His vision to renovate and beautify Joint Base Andrews’ golf courses will bring much-needed improvements that service members and their families will be able to enjoy for generations to come.” Discussions also include the possibility of a multifunctional event center.
Behind the Scenes: Presidential Golfing & Security
Michael Thomas offers fascinating insights into presidential golf outings. He recounts the elaborate “Cecil B. DeMille production” of Secret Service operations, involving up to 28 golf carts alongside the usual 30-car motorcade to secure the perimeter. A common thread among the presidents he observed? “They all like to drive the cart because they never get an opportunity to drive. It’s like getting your driver’s license all over again,” Thomas chuckled.
While Trump has visited Andrews in the past, there’s no record of him playing the courses. His golfing habits are well-documented, with an estimated 93 days of his second term spent on the links, primarily at his family-owned properties in Virginia and Florida.
A Pattern of Presidential Construction
The Andrews project joins a growing list of significant construction and renovation initiatives undertaken during Trump’s presidency. These include the ambitious demolition of the White House’s East Wing for a sprawling ballroom (projected to cost $400 million), the redecoration of the Lincoln Bedroom’s bathroom, and the controversial replacement of the Rose Garden’s historic lawn with a Mar-a-Lago-inspired patio area. Outside the White House, Trump has also spearheaded building projects at the Kennedy Center and expressed a desire to erect a Paris-style arch.
While plans for the Andrews renovation are in their nascent stages, with costs and funding yet to be determined, President Trump has indicated it will require “very little money.” This project underscores a consistent theme of his presidency: a focus on grand-scale construction and a desire to leave a tangible architectural legacy.
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