After 7 years, the Senior PGA Championship returns to the Blue Course at Congressional Country Club, from May 22 to May 25, marking its debut in Maryland. The prestigious tournament, which will bring together 156 of the world’s top senior golfers, includes defending champion Richard Bland and former world 1 Ernie Els, who won the 1997 US Open title on this course.

Having previously hosted three U.S. Opens, a PGA Championship, and the 2022 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, the Congressional Country Club has associated itself with a rich history in golf. Between 2019 & 2021, the Blue Course was redesigned by Andrew Green, which will offer a fresh challenge to the seasoned competitors. So, forget everything you thought you knew about the iconic Blue course at Congressional Country Club, because the revamped course is back to test even the most accomplished professionals. Let’s take a look at some of the toughest holes that can send even some of the best players into a frenzy, not to mention the windy conditions they will also have to battle.

#2 – Par 3, 275 yards

The newly renovated course saw some significant changes, which included widening the fairways and adding length. The hardest par-3 on the course, the second hole is challenging due to its length, uphill play, and placement of numerous bunkers. The tee shot, played from an elevation, will need to be struck well enough to carry the hazards and land on the green. The small green is surrounded by six bunkers and a ridge through the center that slopes it from right to left. To walk away even with a par, an ideal shot would be to land the ball on the ball, demanding precision off the tee.

#14 – Par 4, 470 yards

This uphill hole is placed 470 yards from the back markers, making it a fairly long par 4. The architect decided to reclaim an old drainage ditch and a mound in the left rough that is placed right next to the out-of-bounds in the fairway. The fairway is very wide at the beginning, but it gradually narrows down, where the approach shot onto the green is blinded by the crest of a hill that intervenes. The undulating, multi-terraced green is 53 yards deep and is one of the toughest greens to approach. Similar to hole 16, the players are required to stay below the hole location here, as the right side of the green has a slope that falls out back and would make it difficult to walk away with even a par.

#15 – Par 4, 485 yards

The renovations not only improved the drainage system on the course but also ensured better views from every hole. The famed clubhouse, which was earlier only visible from a few holes, is now dramatically visible as you approach the green of the fifteenth hole. The hole begins with an elevated tee shot that plays downhill to a wide fairway flanked by bunkers. While it may seem easy at first, if you’re mindful, you will realize the bunkers would come into play. Like almost every other hole on the course, the approach to the infinity-edge green is difficult because of the raised green situated in a natural ridge. Surrounded by bunkers, the approach shot will demand accuracy and control, and you would not want to walk away with a big score by missing it long left.

#16 – Par 5, 610 yards

While it plays fair in terms of length, this hole requires precise execution. When you stand off the tee, you might be under the impression of a wider fairway than it actually plays because of the illusion of a rolling landing zone. While the tee shot can be managed by most, the second shot will require navigation of a corridor of bunkers about yards from the green. The approach shot to the green needs to be precise, but also should not be missed long. It’s ideal to miss it short of the green and make an up-and-down instead of going long and being 15 feet below the green. Not only will you end up scoring over par, but your shot options will remain limited as you will be required to play with a lie under the pines. The revamp has also opened up the view behind the green, which makes it look like it’s a part of the surrounding community.

#18 – Par 4, 437 yards

One of the most daunting holes on the course is because of the presence of water all around. This hole offers a dramatic finish with the green placed on a peninsula that appears right to left into the water. From the tee, the green is almost invisible, but you know it’s there somewhere, far, far beyond. You need to hit the drive of your life to get a decent second shot from a downhill lie onto the green. The best approach to this is to aim just left of the bunkers on the right side, where the small slope will help kick your tee shot forward, hopefully making it an easy landing onto the green.

While the length of the course might be a challenge for some, it is the difficulty of the greens that most need to watch out for. If the weather calls for rain, the hardness of the greens can make the approach shots more difficult, causing the ball to bounce off the greens. Not only will this make scoring difficult, but it will also leave no room for error, even if you’re a great ball striker on all four days. But for most, the change in topography due to the revamp will be a whole new experience.