What Players Should Expect
Epstein says the field for the 2025 Senior PGA Championship – which includes the 35 PGA of America Golf Professionals who comprise the Corebridge Financial Team – should prepare for a Blue Course that plays in three distinct waves. After a straightforward opening hole, Nos. 2-4 are among the toughest on the course. The center section of the scorecard presents the layout’s best scoring opportunities before the closing five holes take players on a roller coaster ride through a series of challenges that culminate in the famed home hole.
“The last five holes on the Blue Course are as good a group of finishing holes as you’ll find,” says Epstein, who has been at Congressional Country Club since 2016. “Players are going to have to hit it solid, have some length and approach the holes intelligently. That stretch is going to be fun to watch, and if someone plays it under par, they’re going to do very well.”
Epstein also points out a pair of par 4s on the front side – Nos. 5 and 8 – where Haigh could move up the tees and create driveable holes with an exciting risk/reward profile. With the wind in the right direction, driving the green or getting close to the putting surface will be possible for many players – but missing either green makes saving par a real challenge.
As the top of the leaderboard at the 2025 Senior PGA Championship plays the final round, however, the famed 18th hole will be on their minds. The tee shot demands accuracy and distance, and a second shot off a downhill lie to a challenging green complex remains one of the most daunting in golf.
“It always seems to come down to 18 at Congressional,” Epstein says. “I expect nothing different this year.”
PGA of America Golf Professionals Ready to Play Host
Epstein and his staff, led by PGA of America Head Golf Professional Aaron Levinson, will play key roles during the 2025 Senior PGA Championship at Congressional Country Club. In addition to overseeing the locker room and practice facility, they are also playing an important part in welcoming tour players and the Corebridge Financial Team to the club.
“We’re here to facilitate the Championship experience for the players, our PGA of America Golf Professional peers and our members and spectators,” says Epstein, who is a member of the Championship’s Executive Committee. “We’ll be overseeing the merchandise operation, taking care of the driving range and practice areas, and any thing that helps facilitate hospitality to all our guests, as well as announcing players on the first and tenth tees.”
Levinson is helping host a major championship for the first time, and looks forward to the experience.
“Learning the game of golf and becoming a PGA of America Golf Professional, this was my dream – to be at a facility that hosts major championships,” Levinson says. “To learn and be a part of the operations side with our team and the PGA of America Tournaments team is a priceless experience. And to be able to do that while welcoming so many players I watched while growing up … it’s going to be really fun to welcome them to my current home.”
Epstein says he’s excited to welcome back players like 1997 U.S. Open Champion Els, as well as fan favorites like Fred Couples. Epstein is also looking forward to hosting 2002 PGA Championship winner Rich Beem – his roommate from the pair’s college days at New Mexico State University, where both played for Beem’s late father, longtime Aggies Coach and PGA of America Member Larry Beem.
“I had a chance to see Rich play early in his career, and he has the biggest heart of anyone I know – there’s a reason people love him so much,” Epstein says. “His dad was one of my teachers and mentors and a legendary coach. But I like to tell people I taught Beemer everything he knows.”
Streamlining the Spectator Experience
Spectators attending the 2025 Senior PGA Championship will benefit from the PGA of America’s on-site experience with the 2022 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. The Association will be utilizing many of the same strategies, such as bringing spectators in through an entrance on the back side of the Congressional Country Club property for streamlined access to the event.
“This proved to be a great location for entering the club grounds during the 2022 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, so we’re going to do it again this year,” says Jackie Endsley, PGA of America Championship Director. “As spectators come through the main gate they come right past the main concessions and merchandise areas, then can walk right to either the front or back nine to some great vantage points.
“It definitely bodes well for spectators that we have the advantage of hosting several events at Congressional Country Club, which gives us a lot of knowledge of the property and how to help spectators flow around the property. We also have a great relationship with Jason Epstein and Congressional’s leadership, and that familiarity is a real benefit.”
Spectators will be able to enjoy food and beverage options from local vendors to provide some Washington and Maryland flair. Endsley says the 2025 Senior PGA Championship is also acknowledging the importance of Congressional Country Club’s role in U.S. military history – the Office of Strategic Services took over the club during World War II – by providing free entry to any active military members, as well as U.S. Veterans. Kids under the age of 15 are also able to attend free of charge. PGA of America Members will have free access to the Championship, and will be welcomed at Congressional Country Club.
“Our goal is for everyone, players and spectators alike, to have a great experience throughout the 2025 Senior PGA Championship,” Endsley says. “My recommendation to any PGA of America Members who come out to the Championship is to enjoy my favorite vantage point on the Blue Course – the spectator hill across from No. 18. It’s a great spot to see the historic closing hole, and you can also watch the action at the par-3 10th hole – it’s a great place to congregate at Congressional.”
Bland on Hand to Defend
2024 KitchenAid Senior PGA Champion Richard Bland earned the title with a remarkable rebound from a shaky third round. After shooting 74 on Saturday at Michigan’s Harbor Shores, the Englishman rallied with a final-round 63 for a comeback victory.
Bland was a stroke behind Greg Chalmers coming into the par-5 15th at Harbor Shores when a good drive gave him a chance to get home in two. A 4-iron from 215 yards led to an eagle that catapulted him into a lead he wouldn’t relinquish.
“Probably hit the best 4-iron of my life into 15,” says Bland, winner of the 2021 British Masters. “I had to take a little bit off it and try and hold it against the wind, and came out absolutely perfect.”
Bland made the eight-footer for eagle, then parred in to claim a three-stroke win over Richard Green for his first senior major. Bland maintained his major momentum a month later by winning the 2024 U.S. Senior Open at Newport (Rhode Island) Country Club with a playoff victory over Hiroyuki Fujita.
Bland will look to defend his Senior PGA Championship title at Congressional having never played the Blue Course before. That might be a good omen, however – he had never played Harbor Shores before winning there last year.