The Lowdown on Congressional

[Matt_Ward]

I am at this week's AT&T event at Congressional -- it helps to be in the DC area since my Mom lives there and just celebrated her 89th birthday today ... sorry for the digression.

Congressional clearly has the facilities for big time golf -- no doubt having a capital location enhances the PR value. Got to give a big time hats off to Tiger for hitting opening pro-am tee shots with military personnel who sacrificed greatly for this country but love golf as much as anyone can. Having Tiger serve as host is the equivalent in having Ole Blue Eyes (Sinatra) and / or Michael Jackson being your headliner.

No doubt the Tour clearly raises its profile by being in the nation's capital and in '11 the US Open will only add to that prestige with the game's biggest event on this side of the pond.

What can't be realized is that the Congressional of this week's tourney will be a far different course in two years. There will likely be no less than five (5) par-4 holes starting at 500+ yards for the US Open. One can already see several of the new extended tee pads -- although they are not being used for this week's event.

Congressional is liked by many of the plauyers and no less than Tiger himself wants to see the AT&T stay there even after Aronimink will host the event in '10 and '11 when Congressional is being prepared for its showcase date in '11.

What about the course ?

I've played Congresisonal three times -- once prior to the PGA Championship won by Dave Stockton and then two (2) times after the work Rees Jones did there.

I don't have love for Congressional -- it's fairly plain in its design presentation -- yes, you have a variety of holes where tongue areas can be used to stick pins but despite the rolling terrain which is quite good -- the actual holes themselves are more a cumulation of demands rather than any hole itself really being special or compelling.

Congressional will join -- when it hosts the '11 US Open -- another muscle oriented layout where more and more length - coupled with narrowed fairways -- will be the main ingredient to keep the world's best at bay.

No doubt the return of the famed "18th" to its closing position allows people to bring back to life the glory moment when Venturi won there. The par-3 18th in 1997 was fine for a novelty act but it was far from the kind of par-3 to really make the players sweat big time.

Congressional is blessed by being in the right locale -- the design serves a matter-of-fact purpose that is far from compelling or magical. No doubt the course will be beefed up for '11 but clearly the faciility, locale and Tour draw huge benefits because King Tiger has given his blessing to its continued involvement. Remove The Man from the picture and this would be a week no more special than last week's Traveler's event. 

[Jonathan Cummings]

Good Post Matt - I agree with all you say.  The real intrigue for DC area golf is for 2015 and beyond.  The pros love bringing their familys to the DC area and, consequently, want an annual event here.  Problem is - that event has got to be in close proximity to the Beltway to make any economic sense.  Landsdowne, RTJ, etc are simply too far out and will never be considered.  The intrigue is TPC Potomac.  The re-design is a home run - the PGA policy board and Brad Faxon (Funk, Beem and otehrs) all played Potomac last Monday.  To a man they were blown away (quote from General Manager).  Tiger wants a classic venue and would love to have his event permanently at Congo.  The Congo membership is afraid that if they allow an annual event at the Blue the USGA will not consider them for future Opens (which the membership REALLY wants).  Congo may boot Tiger after 2014 and if he wants to stay in the DC area, Potomac may be his only choice.  It's hard for me to believe the PGA/TPC put $33M into a golf course 1 mile from Congressional without quietly hoping the AT&T will move next door to Potomac after 2014.  It will be a few years before anything is decided.  JC

[PCCraig]

I've played Congressional...but it was a good 4-5 years ago and I can't say I remember a whole lot of the individual holes.

I think Congressional really is a "championship" course through and through with good sightlines and straight forward shot values and that's why all the Pro's like it. It also benefits from being in the DC market, which really isn't all that strong for that type of venue but has a big TV/sports spectator draw.

[Jay Flemma]

matt, how much emmet is left?

[Matt_Ward]

Jay:

How much does that really matter ?

Modern championship tour level golf is about providing for a 21st century facility fully capable in hosting such an event. Emmet i sreally less and less of Congressional with Rees making the changes to the course.

Frankly, Congressional is now the handiwork of modern changes meant to add length where necessary and to provide the proper space and flow for galleries and other mandated items for major events.

[Jay Flemma]

It matters to me because I want to play as mny courses emmet designed that have his  work still remaining so I can study it.  It matters to me a great deal.

[Mike_Cirba]

Matt,

Happy Birthday to your mom!

[Jonathan Cummings]

Jay - there is no ED left at Congo.  The course was destoryed by military operations during WWII.  All green complexes have been rebuilt.  As an interesting sidenote Emmet's original first hole was a 660yd par 6.  You played from the general current-day opeing tee to the current-day second green.  A rather unusual opener for a classic course to say the least!  JC

[Jay Flemma]

JC.  Thanks.  I guess its a lot like eisenhower red that losty a lot of emmet.

So where would we go besides GCGC and Leatherstocking to see lots of emmet?

Matt, happy b-day to your mom!

[Mike_Cirba]

Why do we think Eisenhower Red has little Emmett left, Jay?

[Matt_Ward]

What many people need to realize is that many, if not all, of the key major championship sites, have been so morphed into what they are today that often times little, if anything, of real conseqence still exists from the original days. Augusta is clearly one of the best examples although there are parts that are still present.

Congressional will be much brawnier when the '11 Open arrives. Five par-4's will be 500+ and I concur with Brad Klein's comments on the 18th that to make that a better hole they will need to stretch it to roughly 510-525 yards to make that second shot a bit more fearsome.

Jonathan nailed it -- the location of Congressional plus the DC connection is what keeps the place in the mix. There's nothing compelling along the lines of a Oakmont and Winged Foot / West there. What's amazing to me is how well Tiger has done on muscular type courses. His record on them -- see Doral / Blue, Bay Hill, Muirfield Village, Firestone, et al of this type is off the charts.

AT&T has no better champion of its sponsorship than Tiger and the DC golf fans should praise the Lord for his commitment to the event and area.

[Mike Jansen]

Can someone please tell me who designed Congressional.  Whomever it is, is not getting much respect from the Golf Channel.  In their promoting of the tourney the state: Tiger won at Arnie's house, Jack's house, will he win in Tiger's house (or the house Tiger built... something like that.)

[Matt_Ward]

Mike:

If memory serves -- the Jones family (RTJ & Rees) have been the main hands at Congressional.

Look for more of the Jones contributions when the '11 US Open rolls around.

[Jay Flemma]

Why do we think Eisenhower Red has little Emmett left, Jay?

I've seen the old plans and talked with many of the staff, who all have a great sense of history and know the changes to the course.  All the cross bunkers are gone and the greens were recone too.  A good portion of the routing has been changed as well.  Someone will have the old overheads that ey have in the clubhouse...you can compare and contrast...

[Robert Emmons]

Jay;

for Dev Emmet try Wee burn or Huntington....RHE

[Jay Flemma]

thank you! any other recommendations?  How about for travis?

[Andy Hughes]

Matt, I spend the day there yesterday, and while it always pains me to agree with you  , I think you are right.

Two observations:
1. The pros are really, really good, especially around the green.
2. #11 is really, really tough.

I am at this week's AT&T event at Congressional -- it helps to be in the DC area since my Mom lives there and just celebrated her 89th birthday today ... sorry for the digression.

Congressional clearly has the facilities for big time golf -- no doubt having a capital location enhances the PR value. Got to give a big time hats off to Tiger for hitting opening pro-am tee shots with military personnel who sacrificed greatly for this country but love golf as much as anyone can. Having Tiger serve as host is the equivalent in having Ole Blue Eyes (Sinatra) and / or Michael Jackson being your headliner.

No doubt the Tour clearly raises its profile by being in the nation's capital and in '11 the US Open will only add to that prestige with the game's biggest event on this side of the pond.

What can't be realized is that the Congressional of this week's tourney will be a far different course in two years. There will likely be no less than five (5) par-4 holes starting at 500+ yards for the US Open. One can already see several of the new extended tee pads -- although they are not being used for this week's event.

Congressional is liked by many of the plauyers and no less than Tiger himself wants to see the AT&T stay there even after Aronimink will host the event in '10 and '11 when Congressional is being prepared for its showcase date in '11.

What about the course ?

I've played Congresisonal three times -- once prior to the PGA Championship won by Dave Stockton and then two (2) times after the work Rees Jones did there.

I don't have love for Congressional -- it's fairly plain in its design presentation -- yes, you have a variety of holes where tongue areas can be used to stick pins but despite the rolling terrain which is quite good -- the actual holes themselves are more a cumulation of demands rather than any hole itself really being special or compelling.

Congressional will join -- when it hosts the '11 US Open -- another muscle oriented layout where more and more length - coupled with narrowed fairways -- will be the main ingredient to keep the world's best at bay.

No doubt the return of the famed "18th" to its closing position allows people to bring back to life the glory moment when Venturi won there. The par-3 18th in 1997 was fine for a novelty act but it was far from the kind of par-3 to really make the players sweat big time.

Congressional is blessed by being in the right locale -- the design serves a matter-of-fact purpose that is far from compelling or magical. No doubt the course will be beefed up for '11 but clearly the faciility, locale and Tour draw huge benefits because King Tiger has given his blessing to its continued involvement. Remove The Man from the picture and this would be a week no more special than last week's Traveler's event. 

[Matt_Ward]

Andy:

Sorry to cause you such pain.

Congressional will be a far different layout in '11 -- beefed up with mor distance muscle. So much of the site lines are nearly identical throughout the course -- candidly, the only hole most people remember about the place is the 18th - although I see the par-4 (usualyl a par-5) 6th as being really demanding -- on the same scale with the likes of BB's 15th.

Great article this past week in the Wash Post about the work that will be carried out to Congressional's greens following this year's event. Fortunately, the weather for much of this year's event has been nearly perfect.

One final thought -- although the location is solid the closeness to the Beltway can make for some interesting traffic jams. I use the word "interesting" in the most liberal of senses.

[Ed Oden]

Here is a link to a photo thread on Congressional from last year for anyone interested:

http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,35400.0/

[Carl Nichols]

I've been lucky enough to play Congressional fairly often -- certainly far more often than any other course that the pros play, either regularly or in the majors.  A few observations:

1.  I think it's a great course and a terrific test of golf.  But what holds it back from being in the same conversation with the upper, upper echelon is that there isn't anything (except perhaps for 18) that stands out -- nothing particularly unique, no quirk, no Tillie greens/bunkers, etc.  It's still incredibly demanding and a great place to play, but Matt's right that there are few holes that are truly, truly special.  [Indeed, there are arguably as many or more special holes on the gold course.]

2.  The course is on a really nice piece of property, but a lot of the vistas are lost or obscured because of trees.  If they did some tree clearing, there are spots on the course that would have incredible views of 5+ holes.  I realize the trees are part of the course's defenses, but I think they could be trimmed without significantly affecting play.

3.  There are several holes that have interesting greenside areas of tightly mowed grass [e.g., where Tiger putted from on #16 yesterday], but with a few exceptions, these areas are almost always short of the green.  The greens already have some interesting contours, and I think it would make several greensites really cool if they added more tightly mowed areas, particularly on the sides and in back of greens.

4.  It's obvious, and Andy already said it, but these guys are preposterously good.  Watching what they're doing to 9 and 16 is just incredible -- those are not pushover par 5's! -- as is their ability to hit long irons to the right spots on greens like #12.

[Rory Connaughton]

Jay
  For more DE, try Rockaway River CC in Denville NJ.

[Andy Hughes]

.  It's obvious, and Andy already said it, but these guys are preposterously good.  Watching what they're doing to 9 and 16 is just incredible -- those are not pushover par 5's! -- as is their ability to hit long irons to the right spots on greens like #12.

Carl, I assume you mean #11?  I have never played Congressional, but it is astonishing how well they play that hole--its one of the toughest holes I've seen.  Its a fairly narrow target with water RIGHT there abutting the green on the right and bunkers left (and a blast towards the water). Oh, and its 489!
Watching Friday, the pin was back right, very close to the bank. While very few hit their approaches close (which seems virtually impossible), we saw several up and downs from over the green which I would not have thought possible.

[Jerry Kluger]

You have to keep in mind that #11 is played as a par 5 by the members and the green complex was designed for a par 5 - it is a really tough par 4.

As far as Avenel goes it had its problems from the very beginning and the pros bad mouthed it so they had to do something to change its reputation.  Their problem is that Tiger is not about to allow his name to be used to change Avenel's reputation.  Congressional had a great name before Tiger and was a past and future Open venue so Tiger feels comfortable with it.  If he had designed the course such as Nicklaus did at Muirfield then he would not hesitate to bolster Avenel's reputation.  Avenel's future appears to be linked to either a Nationwide or Champions Tour event.   

[Jonathan Cummings]

Ahhh Jerry - Avenel doesn't exist anymore. 

Tiger is about his fountation, July 4th, the military and DC.  As for venue his first choice is Congo and his second choice has not been decided.  The argument is that if he stays here and Congo boots him, he has almost no workable alternatives other than Potomac.  The economics will drive the foundation and the PGA in picking a follow-on venue far more than any worry about shouldering some golf course's "image".

JC

[Matt_Ward]

There's no doubt that Congressional is a brawny layout and the scores being shot is testament to what these guys can do when scoring conditions allow.

The end result ... Congressional really doesn't have compelling architecture -- it's fairly predictable and uniform in what it requires of players. A top 100 coiurse? Not for me -- but could be for others.