The Ryder Cup is coming to the nation's capital in 2036.
As part of a long-term, wide-reaching agreement with the PGA of America, Congressional Country Club will host a variety of PGA of America events starting in 2022, including the 2031 PGA Championship and 2036 Ryder Cup. In total, the club will host the following PGA of America championships:
- 2022 KPMG Women's PGA Championship
- 2024 Junior PGA Championships
- 2025 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship
- 2027 KPMG Women's PGA Championship
- 2029 PGA Professional Championship
- 2031 PGA Championship
- 2033 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship
- 2036 Ryder Cup
This is remarkable news also considering Congressional Country Club has long been considered a USGA venue, hosting the 1964, 1997 and 2011 US Opens. However, the 2011 US Open was poorly received because of soft conditions somewhat beyond the club's control after poor weather stifled the regrowth of redone greens on the host Blue Course in preparation for the US Open ultimately won by Rory McIlroy on a record total.
Most recently, Congressional, which is located outside of Washington, D.C., in Bethesda, Md., had been an every-other-year host of the PGA Tour's Quicken Loans National. It was host from the tournament's inception in 2007 through 2013, with 2010 and 2011 editions of the event played at Aronimink Golf Club near Philadelphia so the club could prepare to host the US Open. After 2013, the club had agreed to host the PGA Tour in even-numbered years through 2020. With the demise of that tournament in 2018, however, the club was no longer bound by such an agreement.
Congressional has also welcomed the PGA of America in the past, hosting the 1976 PGA Championship, won by Dave Stockton.
Founded in 1921 with the intent of being a social club for members of Congress, Congressional boasts one of the largest memberships of a top-tier private club in the United States. It also has one of the highest initiation fees. The money coming into the club is being put to great use, with an eight-figure capital improvement project starting at the club. Facilities will be improved, and the famed Blue Course, originally designed by Devereux Emmet and renovated by Rees Jones, will be restored to its original character by restoration expert Keith Foster starting in 2019.
