East Potomac Park

[Ira Fishman]

The Travis Society states that East Potomac originally was designed as a reversible layout and that the plans were found six or so years ago. If Tom Doak or any National Links Trust folks see this thread, is the plan for restoration to build a reversible course? As a DC area resident, it would be intriguing.


Thanks.


Ira

[Ben Hollerbach]

I'm fairly certain the NLT has already announce that the plan is for Doak to restore the reversible Travis routing, or at least as close to original as they still can. Last fall they even hosted an 14 hole reversible play day on the course.

[MCirba]

It would be ideal architecture and management complexity, but I'd love to see it.

[Tom_Doak]

Ira:


East Potomac lies under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service, who take the word "restoration" more literally than a lot of golf course architects.  So, yes, if the project moves forward, we will restore the original design which was reversible.


Mike McCartin's college thesis was actually about this very project.


It's a big job and there are drainage issues as the river is higher than it used to be, so it will cost a lot of money to do it right, which is the main reason it hasn't happened yet.  There isn't really a timetable.

[jeffwarne]

Ira:


East Potomac lies under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service, who take the word "restoration" more literally than a lot of golf course architects.

An actual restoration would be cool to see-including maintenances practices or at least mowing heights/irrigation etc.
Could be a case of "be careful what you wish for" but I'd sure like to see it.

[Ira Fishman]

Ira:


East Potomac lies under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service, who take the word "restoration" more literally than a lot of golf course architects.  So, yes, if the project moves forward, we will restore the original design which was reversible.


Mike McCartin's college thesis was actually about this very project.


It's a big job and there are drainage issues as the river is higher than it used to be, so it will cost a lot of money to do it right, which is the main reason it hasn't happened yet.  There isn't really a timetable.

Tom,


Thanks. I know that the permitting process also is painfully slow. I certainly hope that all of the factors come together so that the restoration comes to fruition.


Ira

[Charlie Goerges]

Probably posted before, but here's a photo purportedly from 1935:

East Potomac Golf Course 1935 by goerges_family, on Flickr

[Steve Sayre]

Thanks to Tom for doing this work pro bono. Even today, the course is very popular (~100,000 rounds per year), and obviously Tom's work will be hugely welcomed.

NLT is committed to maintain affordable access. Part of the deal with the Park Service.

This week NLT also released their plan for Rock Creek Park golf course, also sited in a national park in NW DC.  Originally a William Flynn design;  Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner now leading the restoration.

If you are interested, "Rehabilitation of the Rock Creek Park Golf Course": https://parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?projectId=112141[

Langston, the third leg of the project, has site remediation and some modest reno work already underway. Langston has a a great history, a frequent United Golf Association tournament site in the segregation era (think Ted Rhodes, Bill Spiller, Lee Elder, Charlie Sifford, etc.). Langston played a leading role in desegregating golf and to this day offers the active inner city golf community convenient and affordable access to the game. Beau Welling the GA going forward.

[Ben Hollerbach]

Ira:


East Potomac lies under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service, who take the word "restoration" more literally than a lot of golf course architects.  So, yes, if the project moves forward, we will restore the original design which was reversible.


Mike McCartin's college thesis was actually about this very project.


It's a big job and there are drainage issues as the river is higher than it used to be, so it will cost a lot of money to do it right, which is the main reason it hasn't happened yet.  There isn't really a timetable.

For anyone who's interested, here is a link to Mikes Thesis: Making a model municipal facility: a case study of East Potomac Park golf course

[Sven Nilsen]

Here's the 1918 plan of the course (two sizes for better viewing) -



[URL]