Trump Golf Links changed operators
Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point changed operators after the Trump Organization transferred its operating rights to Bally’s in September 2023. The Bronx golf course is owned by New York City and remains publicly accessible.
Bally’s assumed the existing golf course license, which runs through March 31, 2035. Trump branding was later removed, and city officials unveiled the property under Bally Links branding on Jan. 11, 2024, for the public.
New York sought termination in 2021
New York City moved in January 2021 to end its relationship with the Trump Organization following the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, including the company’s Ferry Point golf course license at the time.
For Ferry Point specifically, the city argued that the Trump Organization could no longer operate a tournament-quality course because major golf organizations would not associate tournament events with the Trump brand after Jan. 6.
Trump Organization won its challenge
The Trump Organization challenged New York City’s attempt to terminate its Ferry Point license. In April 2022, a New York state judge ruled that the city had wrongfully terminated the agreement covering the golf course.
The court found the city’s stated basis did not match the license terms governing operation of a tournament-quality golf course. The ruling allowed the Trump Organization to retain its operating rights at Ferry Point.
Bally’s acquired the operating license
The Trump Organization transferred its Ferry Point operating rights to Bally’s in September 2023. City officials approved the transaction involving the publicly owned golf course in the Bronx before Bally’s assumed operations later that year.
The transfer followed the city’s unsuccessful attempt to terminate the Trump Organization’s license. Bally’s then became responsible for operating, managing, and maintaining the 18-hole public golf course under the city agreement at Ferry Point.
Ferry Point deal brought $60 million
Bally’s paid $60 million in 2023 for the Ferry Point operating rights. The agreement also provided for an additional $115 million payment if Bally’s obtained a casino license for the Bronx site under the deal.
The $60 million sale later became part of New York’s civil fraud litigation involving Trump and his businesses. That litigation was separate from New York City’s earlier attempt to terminate the Ferry Point golf license.
Bally’s replaced the Trump branding
Bally’s officially unveiled new Ferry Point branding on Jan. 11, 2024. The prominent Trump sign that had been visible to motorists crossing the nearby Whitestone Bridge was replaced with Bally Links branding at Ferry Point.
Mayor Eric Adams joined city leaders for the unveiling. Bally’s had taken over operations in September 2023 under the existing golf course license, which is scheduled to run through March 31, 2035, under city ownership.
Ferry Point remains city owned
Bally’s Golf Links at Ferry Point is a city-owned public golf course in the Bronx. The license governing the course is scheduled to remain in effect through March 31, 2035 under its city agreement.
The agreement originated in 2012, and the license was assigned to Bally’s in 2023. The 18-hole golf course occupies the eastern portion of Ferry Point Park near the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge in the Bronx.
Ferry Point has a Nicklaus design
Bally’s Golf Links at Ferry Point is an 18-hole public golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus. City planning records describe the course as about 7,400 yards and built for tournament play in the Bronx.
The course is located at 500 Hutchinson River Parkway in the Bronx. Its current website accepts public tee time reservations 14 days in advance and lists separate rates for New York City residents and nonresidents.
Trump name remained after 2021 fight
The Jan. 6 dispute began years before the Trump name disappeared from Ferry Point. New York City began its effort to terminate the Trump Organization’s license in 2021, but Bally’s did not take over the operating rights until September 2023.
The official rebranding followed in January 2024. The sequence matters because the city’s original attempt to terminate the Trump Organization’s license was rejected in court before the company later transferred its operating rights to Bally’s.
Fun fact: Bally’s Golf Links at Ferry Point, formerly Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point, opened in 2015 as the first new championship-level golf course built in New York City since 1964.
Ferry Point entered fraud litigation
In February 2024, a New York state trial court ordered $60 million in disgorgement tied to the Ferry Point sale as part of the attorney general’s broader civil fraud case against Trump and other defendants.
The legal status changed on appeal in August 2025. New York’s Appellate Division affirmed liability findings in the broader civil fraud case but vacated the monetary disgorgement awards, including the amount connected to Ferry Point.
Appeals court changed the outcome
New York’s Appellate Division ruled in August 2025 that the $60 million Bally’s paid for the Ferry Point license should not have been subject to disgorgement in the state’s civil fraud case at issue then.
The court vacated the monetary disgorgement awards in their entirety while otherwise affirming the judgment. The $60 million Ferry Point award imposed by the trial court therefore no longer remains in effect after that ruling.
Bally’s secured a Bronx casino license
New York’s Gaming Facility Location Board selected Bally’s Bronx to apply for a commercial casino gaming facility license in December 2025. The New York State Gaming Commission then awarded Bally’s a gaming facility license effective Dec. 15, 2025, for the Bally’s Bronx casino in Bronx County.
The licensed Bally’s Bronx project is planned for the Ferry Point property where Bally’s operates the public golf course. The proposed casino resort has been valued at approximately $4 billion and is planned as a major integrated development in the Bronx.
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Bally’s operates Ferry Point today
Bally’s Golf Links at Ferry Point remains open to the public in 2026. Its current website lists tee times and rates and advertises a club championship scheduled for Oct. 17, 2026, at the Bronx course.
Current casino construction is already affecting golf operations at Ferry Point. Bally’s says the course’s 8th hole and chipping area are temporarily closed, with greens fees reduced while construction work continues nearby at the site.
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What do you think about the Trump name being replaced at the Bronx golf course? Share your thoughts in the comments on the change to Bally’s branding.
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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