More to Congressional than just the Blue
The U.S. Open was a magnificent showcase for the storied Blue Course at Congressional Country Club. But there’s another 18 holes at Congressional, the often-overshadowed Gold Course — 6,844 yards of character and history.
Oddly situated, with nine holes accessed through a tunnel under Persimmon Tree Road, the Gold doesn’t have the sprawl and flow of the Blue. But it’s still one of the best 18s in the Washington area.
Tighter and trickier, with more twists and turns, the Gold Course is ranked No. 5 in Maryland by Golf Digest. Just consider some of the stellar tracks that rank below it — Four Streams, Bulle Rock, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, The Links at Lighthouse Sound and Avenel.
“You get this beautiful U.S. Open course that everyone raves about, which is the Blue,” said eight-year member Ted Kallina. “But you also get the Gold, which is the best-kept secret.”
Among courses in the Maryland suburbs, Kallina rates the Gold Course only behind recently renovated Chevy Chase.
Several holes on the Gold were part of the original 18 designed by Devereux Emmet. When Congressional hosted a U.S. Open (1964), a PGA (1976), and seven Kemper Opens (1980-86), two holes from the current Gold were included on the back nine.
No. 5 on the Gold (which played as No. 16 in the tournaments) was a favorite of many players. Then heavily bunkered, with a tiny, flat green, the 212-yard par 3 had a unique television signature. Several bunkers were subsequently removed by designers, such as acclaimed Arthur Hills, the last to put his fingerprints on the Gold Course.
No. 15 of the Gold, another of the downhill-uphill par 4s at Congressional, was the other hole used during the tournaments decades ago.
Congressional’s original 18 was built in the early 1920s. A third nine, then called Middle Nine, was conceived in 1932. But due to economic woes, it wasn’t built until 1957. For years, the Middle was popular with juniors and women.
In the 1980s, a parcel of thickly forested land across Persimmon Tree Road was acquired by the club allowing for nine more holes. All are tree-lined and tight. Some at Congressional consider this secluded Outer Nine their favorite part of the facility.
“It’s like being on a different golf course,” member Bob Tyson said. “It’s quiet. It seems like you’re in another world.”
In combination with the prestigious Blue, the Gold makes Congressional one of the most valued memberships in the Washington area. Privates with 36 quality holes are a rarity. Woodmont and Trump National are two of the others.
“It’s one of the things that makes the club great,” member Dennis Kelleher said. “Both the Blue and the Gold will eat you up, in different ways.”
