WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — President Donald Trump has spent a majority of his vacation in Florida indulging in his favorite pastime: golfing. However, upon returning to the White House, he has his sights set on a significant construction project at the military golf course at Joint Base Andrews.
Known as a serene escape for presidents, the Courses at Andrews has housed many leaders internal to its secure infrastructure, located roughly 15 miles from the White House. Past presidents, including Gerald Ford and Barack Obama, have utilized these grounds as a respite from the pressures of their respective tenures.
Unlike his predecessors who frequently played at Andrews, Trump has shown a proclivity to golf at properties owned by his family. Notably, he has spent a substantial amount of his time in office engaged in golf, approximately 92 days during his second term alone, as estimated by reviews of his schedules.
This time, Trump is commissioning golf-great Jack Nicklaus to architect the renovation of Andrews, which he deems as having suffered from lack of maintenance over the years.
Former course manager, Michael Thomas, shares that playing golf is a unique escape for presidents, who enjoy driving golf carts on the sprawling grounds. It’s like getting your driver’s license all over again, Thomas laughed.
Grounds at Andrews are said to be well-maintained despite some critiques, featuring mature trees and water hazards that add challenges to the game. Trump’s vision includes enhancing the courses and potentially adding a multifunctional event center as part of the renovations.
As the project is still in the preliminary stages, the costs and funding have yet to be determined. However, Trump confidently asserted that it would require 'very little money.'
Andrews golf courses have drawn specific interest with their history, relative privacy, and security importance in contrasting the public golf scene. Each president has enjoyed the ceremonial air and strict attention to detail, reiterating the unique joys of this particular golfing experience.
The proposed renovation follows a series of other ambitious construction projects initiated by Trump, including plans for significant upgrades at the White House and more widely across his estate properties.
