Congressional CC, Blue Course- hole 18
History
Congressional Country Club was founded in 1924.
It was originally proposed as a place where members of Congress could meet socially with businessmen.
The club has a history of U. S. Presidents being members or visiting the club- with five presidents becoming lifetime members.
The original course was designed by Devereux Emmet.
It was remodelled in 1957 by Robert Trent Jones who also added a further 9 holes.
Rees Jones was engaged in 1989 to modernise the course, and then again in 2009.
More recently Andrew Green began reworking Congressional in preparation for a host of majors and The Ryder Cup which the club will host in the next few decades..
Championships
Congressional CC- hole 15 green
Congressional has hosted many championships over the years, including:
- the U.S. Open 3 times (1964, 1997 & 2011)
- the 1959 Women's Amateur
-the 1976 U.S.P.G.A.
-The Kemper Open (1980-1986)
- the 1995 U.S. Senior Open
Further Congressional has been booked to host five majors, two National events and a Ryder Cup in the next few decades.
On that basis alone, it is a course of some consequence!
Course
Congressional has a dramatic landscape with views across the course on every hole.
The majestic clubhouse dominates the site, and is central to all the action.
Andrew Green worked with the club to clear a lot of trees, opening up the site to the magnificent landscapes around the property.
When we visited in May the course was the most verdant green with the clean white sand of the bunkers as a counterpoint.
First time around I thought perhaps a couple of greens were just a bit over contoured, but in general the green complexes were both interesting and attractive, with just enough challenge to keep you on your toes
Congressional CC- Blue Course, hole 6
Congressional CC- Blue Course, hole 8
It is an undulating site, but quite a nice walk.
Notable holes include:
Hole 6, a winding par 5 with a green projecting into a pond (see pic mid page).
Hole 7, a shortish uphill par 3 with an elevated green well protected by a cluster of bunkers
Congressional CC- Blue Course, hole 7
Hole 8, a short par 4 with a well bunkered green running at an angle and tempting players to go for the flag (see pic mid page)
Hole 9, a strong par 5 back to the clubhouse with bunkers pushing you left and right along the journey
Congressional CC- Blue Course, hole 9
Hole 10, a gorgeous short downhill par 3 to a green projecting into the water
Congressional CC- Blue Course, hole 10
Hole 16, another strong par back downhill
Congressional CC- hole 16 approach
Hole 18, a long downhill closing par 4 with the green sitting on the edge of the water
Congressional CC- Blue Course- hole 18 approach
Congressional Country Club's Blue Course was a very pleasant day's golf.
I had done my homework, yet the course exceeded my expectations.
The club has set itself up for tournament golf, but I thought that off the appropriate tee it was challenging but playable for club golfers as well.
It would seem that Andrew Green is on the right track with his renovations- particularly with the clearing of so many trees..
I was certainly very impressed with the panoramic views of the course and clubhouse throughout the round- it makes a good course more memorable.
Staying the night at Congressional must be recommended as well!
Golf Tours
The Travelling Golfer can tailor a golf trip to suit your group.
For suggested destinations see: Golf Destinations- USA
Enquiries
For further information on a tailored golf trip please enquire here:
