The president took an aerial tour of the Courses at Andrews aboard Marine One on Saturday, and promised, “We’re going to do some work” there, as well as to other parts of the base.
“We’re doing some fix-up of the base, which it needs. We’re gonna try and reinstitute the golf courses. I’m meeting with the greatest Jack Nicklaus,” Trump told reporters outside the White House before boarding Marine One to head to Andrews. “He’s involved in trying to bring their recreational facility back.”
Located in Maryland, about 15 miles (24.14 kilometers) from the White House, Andrews houses Air Force One. Gerald R. Ford was the first president to golf there in 1974, but the facility was most recently a favorite of Barack Obama.
An 11th Force Support Squadron asset, the facilities include three 18-hole golf courses, three practice putting greens, two private practice areas and a driving range, according to the Andrews website. Trump said at least two of the courses could get facelifts.
Trump said Saturday that the base at Andrews “was a great place that’s been destroyed over the years through lack of maintenance.”
“So we’ll fix that up, and Jack will be the architect and he’ll design it,” the president said.
He also referenced, “Two existing courses that are in very bad shape” saying, “we can — for very little money — fix it up.”
“And we’re looking at other things over at Andrews,’ Trump added.
Trump’s comments immediately raised questions about who is paying Nicklaus, and how much such design services might cost. Also, given that Andrews is military property, who pays for improvements to its golf courses or other parts of its grounds was also unclear. Andrews deferred queries on the matter to the White House, which didn’t respond to a request for more details.
