Congressional Country Club: Blue

Congressional Blue is a Rees Jones redo of his father’s design, a championship venue that had been long criticized as featuring too many uphill shots. When Rees remodeled it, he provided definition. Now golfers stand on a tee and see the entire hole, all the hazards, all the strategies and all the potential penalties. The greens are gentle enough for member play but can be mowed to 14 on a Stimpmeter for tournaments. Congressional once had a par-3 18th. Rees reversed its direction and made it into the long, strong par-3 10th. The old 17th with a dramatic peninsula green is now the 18th. Over the course of 2020, architect Andrew Green completely redesigned the course, stripping it of trees and building rugged, early 20th century-inspired holes. This remodel will be judged for our Best Remodel rankings in 2021 and national rankings in 2023.