Palm Beach County could one day have an official U.S. golf course that serves as a destination for Commander-in-Chiefs for years to come.
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A newly unveiled proposal calls for designating Trump International Golf Club near West Palm Beach as the “permanent United States Presidential Golf Course.” It would make its “golf courses and amenities available to all past, current and future U.S. Presidents regardless of party affiliation and all visiting foreign heads of state, at the discretion of the White House.”
The proposal surfaced Thursday in a letter sent to the county by the Shutts & Bowen LLP law firm, which is representing Trump International Golf Club L.C.
In a statement sent to the South Florida Sun Sentinel, County Administrator Joseph Abruzzo said the proposal “has the potential to be a remarkable and historic opportunity for Palm Beach County.”
“Communities across America compete for the honor of hosting presidential libraries because of the history, prestige and economic impact that comes with becoming a permanent part of the American presidency. What is envisioned here could be just as unique, a permanent, operational presidential institution.”
Attorney Harvey Oyer, in his letter to county commissioners, described some of the reasons behind the idea.
“This proposal is rooted in President’s Trump’s deep affection for Palm Beach County, which is his home, the home of two of his children, many of his grandchildren and the location of the recently renamed President Donald J. Trump Boulevard and President Donald J. Trump International Airport,” Oyer wrote.
Oyer, contacted by the Sun Sentinel on Friday, acknowledged sending the letter to the county.
Trump International Golf Club already operates a 27-hole golf course on county-owned land at 3505 Summit Blvd. near West Palm Beach.
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Oyer suggests an ownership model where the county would enter into a lease agreement with a federal government agency so that the county could act as a landlord over the property.
“We believe that designating TIGC and Palm Beach County as the location of the U.S. Presidential Golf Course will further cement Palm Beach County on the global stage and do so in perpetuity,” Oyer wrote.
The Trump golf club also would work with the General Services Administration and Secret Service “to design an appropriate presidential lodging facility on the property.”
Oyer also noted that the proposed project would be completed after Trump ends his presidency.
“The presidential golf course would also be accompanied by an enormous positive impact on the local economy every time a president or foreign head of state visits. Its location immediately adjacent to DJT airport, south Florida’s ideal weather for golf, the property’s limited uses due to (Federal Aviation Administration) restrictions and the in-place security apparatus make this the ideal site for such a use.”
Abruzzo said he looks forward to working with the county commissioners to explore “this historic opportunity.”
“This likely would further cement Palm Beach County’s place on the national and international stage for generations to come.”
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