The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-02-27
UGE
WONDER
LINKS
By ROSS CoNKLIN

BY the simple expedient d
following what they have done al
the Congressional Country Club
any one so minded may build :
golf course. The directions are
simple: Take a lot of land WITH
hills and valleys and woods, mix
it with 3 great deal of money
throw in. two handfuIs of fore.
sight, and let nature do its darn
Gest.
That is what they have done
st Congressional and what has
been accomplished amounts uearIy
to seventh wonder just a few
short years ago, Congressional
was q topsy-turvy bit of wood
land. It was too poor to farm,
and too rough for an estate.
just now it is one OF the most
beautifully groomed and one of the
snappiest and sportiest golf courses
In this section OF the universe. The
outlook from both the golfers
STANDPOINT and the esthetic view.
point, is almost amazing in its com.
pletness.
Members Of the club who have
refrained from partaking OF the
links for the last three or four
months viii not know them when
next they step out for an afternoon.
Even the approach to the club il
different. with the removal Of that
Internal caddie house. IT used to
affront the senses to see that thine
at the very entrance and 1t is
80 ~
position behind the first tee.
The actual work Of rebuilding
the course was started way last
fail. The layout needed more
and better bunkers. It needed re-
touching on the fairWays. Tt
needed dog legs where straight
shots were being used. IL needed
heavier green's In some cases. 1t
needed constant grooming and
above all a thorough dressing.
All that has been done and to
attempt to enumerate the improve
ments would be folly. The first
hole, a murderous affair that us.
ually throws despair into the hearts
OF the. golfers. still remains as
was. But plans now afoot will
shorten 1t into par five affair
and that means something.
Where rough clay bunkers used
TO be there are now standard
bunkers with white sand. They
are deep. too, and treacherous. But
that is golf. Bunkers are not sup
posed to be so built that any old
shot would get out OF them.
With the coming of Tommy
armour some time in March, Con-
8ressionaI ought to be sitting on
top of the world. The recent
action OF the board OF directors in
regards TO financing the club has
sprfngtime all the kinks should be
out of the machinery,
Dust now the first nine holes
are closed, but the second nine
Is being played. The first nine
Is still being treated with bunk.
en- troubles for the players, and
the work on the second nine,
started last fan, has been com.
pIeted.
There was some talk of doing
something about that tenth hole,
but nothing definite has come out
Of IL. The tenth is long and tricky
and for most of the club members
IN far more troublesome than the
longer first hole. 1t Is a hog back
and the swift slope on the left il
menace. Slices and hooks are
costly on that contraption.
e .esk:onal has every feature
OF championship course. IL has
issuance 1t has skillfully placed
adeqnate bunkers. II has large
greens. except in two cases II
nas natural hazards and II has a
soiI committee that goes full
iengtn IN improvements. Leo Nc,
NsEnaney. Just now doing the pro
work. may assist Armour