President Donald Trump wants his Palm Beach County golf course designated as a permanent U.S. presidential institution available to current and future commanders-in-chief regardless of political party, according to local officials and legal filings. Attorney Harvey Oyer III submitted a proposal to Palm Beach County commissioners asking the local government to consider establishing the Trump International Golf Club West Palm Beach as an official presidential golf destination, as reported by CBS12 and WPBF.
Proposal Details for a Permanent U.S. Presidential Golf Course
The proposal outlines making the golf course and its amenities available to past, current, and future U.S. presidents, as well as visiting foreign heads of state at the discretion of the White House, according to the Orlando Sentinel. The 27-hole facility, designed by Jim Fazio and opened in 1992 at 3505 Summit Blvd., sits on county-owned land leased under the terms of a settlement involving the nearby airport, as noted by WPBF and the South Florida Sun Sentinel. Under the suggested ownership model described by Oyer in his letter to commissioners, the county would act as a landlord by entering into a lease agreement with a federal government agency, according to the Orlando Sentinel.
Did you know?
President Dwight Eisenhower donated his Gettysburg Farm to the National Park Service, and Franklin Roosevelt gave part of his Hyde Park estate for public use, establishing historical precedents for presidential property contributions, according to WPBF.
County Response and Economic Impact Estimates
Palm Beach County Administrator Joseph Abruzzo called the idea a potentially remarkable and historic opportunity for the community, comparing the potential prestige to that of hosting a presidential library, as reported by CBS12 and the Orlando Sentinel. Abruzzo stated that communities across America compete for presidential libraries due to the associated history, prestige, and economic impact, noting that this operational presidential institution could offer similar unique benefits, according to CBS12. Abruzzo also pointed to the course’s location adjacent to Palm Beach International Airport and its existing security infrastructure as factors well-suited for the proposal, per CBS12.
Security Infrastructure and Proposed Presidential Lodging
Secret Service to design appropriate presidential lodging on the property, which would be constructed at the Trump organization’s expense, according to the Orlando Sentinel and WPBF. Oyer noted in his letter that the facility is already one of the most secure golf courses in the world, equipped with advanced protection systems, according to WPBF. The course was the site of an attempted assassination of Trump in September 2024, when Ryan Wesley Routh hid in shrubbery near the sixth hole before a Secret Service agent spotted a rifle barrel and opened fire, leading to Routh’s subsequent apprehension and life sentence, as detailed by WPBF.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who submitted the proposal to Palm Beach County?
Attorney Harvey Oyer III of the Shutts & Bowen LLP law firm submitted the proposal on behalf of Trump International Golf Club L.C., according to the Orlando Sentinel and CBS12.
Who would be allowed to use the proposed presidential golf course?
The proposal envisions making the facilities available to all past, current, and future U.S. presidents regardless of political affiliation, as well as visiting foreign heads of state, at the discretion of the White House, according to the Orlando Sentinel.
Does the Trump family own the land beneath the golf course?
No. While the Trump family owns the golf club itself, the property sits on land leased from Palm Beach County under terms tied to an airport settlement, according to CBS12 and WPBF.
What is the next step for the proposal?
County administration will work under the direction of the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners to examine the proposal, review its community impacts, and hold discussions with Trump’s team and appropriate federal agencies, according to CBS12.
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