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affected by what's coming to Hannes Point. The Trump administration now plans to close a large portion of East PTOAC Park on November 15th. We talked about this last night. Yeah. That includes, as we know now, the historic golf course, but also areas used by walkers, runners, and cyclists. And tomorrow morning, a federal judge wants answers about how that decision was made. Chief investigative reporter Eric Flack is live at East PTOIC last night. Uh Eric, you had your eye on this all night and reached out to us after 10:00 about this big development. Well, today you've been out there and you're hearing from
some golfers. They actually like the president's plans. You know, this is an ongoing story that just evolves by the hour and it's a beautiful night out here at East PTOAC Park and it's the kind of night that makes this such a huge part of our community. And yes, the more golf golfers you talk to, eventually you do find people who are excited about what the president is promising, but many more are really worried that all of this will result in a loss of DC history. Do you feel like in its current state, this course does need an upgrade? Oh, yes. Almost nobody out here argues that century old East PTOAC golf links is in good shape. The fight is over how it gets fixed and what it becomes.
I don't like the idea of a big championship golf course. I'd like to see him spend the money just rehabbing and the course they have here. East PTOAC has three courses right now. 36 holes built for every skill level. The president's plan replaces it with a single 18hole championship facility. The renderings also appear to erase the running and bike lanes that circle Hannes Point. We do have other trails that we like to go on, but this is kind of like history for me. It's a place I've been coming for years.
We spotted a golfer taking photos in case all this is gone the next time he comes back. But ask enough golfers out here and you'll find people who want this. Look, ultimately the more the better facilities I think are very supportive of that. This man would only talk off camera, afraid of retribution for publicly backing the president's plan. Any regular golfer down here at Hannes Point or East PTOAC would welcome a absolute renovation of everything from the driving range to the putting to the course itself.
Golf balls from the driving range flying over the protective netting has been an issue out here for years, but this is the first time I've seen this massive gaping hole in that netting. You can see one practice range ball right here just feet from where people tee off. Hours after Justice Department attorneys filed the papers to close these PTOAC on November 15th, the president posted his own photos of that range and what he said is a crumbling and dangerous seaw wall. He promised a worldclass course that would be affordable for locals. He also wrote this. We will hold the judge Anacey Reyes fully responsible for anybody who is hurt or killed on this very dangerous, dilapidated, and unsightly golf course.
Now, [snorts] the National Park Service has already cut down about 400 trees out here at East PTOAC. The park service says that was part of a prior plan to restore this property to its original state. But the judge in this case has put all the tree cutting on hold uh issuing an injunction as they kind of hash out in court whether or not this project and President Trump's golf course renovation is even going to move forward. They will be back in court tomorrow as everybody, both golfers and just people who use this park keep an eye on what happens next and what the future is for an area that really has been a part of DC history. Reporting live from East PTOAC tonight, Eric Flack, W USA 9. Guys, back to you.
Maybe that's the one thing we can agree on. This is a huge piece of DC history. The rationale behind all of this is the thing that keeps changing. Yeah. Despite what we hear in court and what we see actually happening there and what we hear from the president, have to balance those two out. All right, Flats. Thank
