Trump Sets New Fees at Lowes Island

In February, Donald Trump added to his golf course portfolio by buying the Lowes Island Club, a 36-hole private club on the banks of the Potomac River in Loudon County, Va., for $18 million. At the time, the real estate tycoon -- in his own inimitable fashion -- promised big improvements for Lowes Island, including renovations of both courses originally designed by Tom Fazio and Arthur Hills), and the staging of significant tournaments there, perhaps even a PGA Tour stop.

"This place, when it's finished, will be the finest club anywhere in the country," Trump promised. "There will be nothing like it. I already own the best ones, so I know."

Of course, with Trump and all of this investment comes a new price structure. This week Lowes Island members -- both present and perspective -- got a hint of what the new fees will be, during a visit to the facility by Trump and his associates. According to this story in the Washington Post, golf memberships there will now go for $75,000; corporate memberships will be $175,000; and social memberships (no golf) will cost $25,000.

-- G.R.