parking among other things. Throughout its rich history, only three head golf professionals ever worked at the club, Fred McLeod, William Strausbaugh, and Robert Dolan (its current head PGA Professional). The course The Columbia course favors shotmaking and finesse over the ability to drive the ball long distances. The natural topography of the area means that Columbia's course is very hilly, with tight fairways and small, undulating greens that are almost universally sloped back to front. Course superintendents generally keep the Columbia greens at a very high speed, and rarely do they roll anything less than an 11 on the Stimp meter. A common saying among members and caddies is that "there are only two flat lies at Columbia, on the tee and in your pocket". Because of the layout, driving the ball long distances can often get a player into trouble due to deep rough, side-hill lies, pot bunkers, and the aforementioned tight fairways. Almost every approach shot on the golf course plays significantly either uphill or downhill, including severe downhill plays on #2, #5, #12, #14, #15, and #16. Hole #17 at Columbia is a truly unique hole, with only a 200-yard tee shot required to a short but wide section of fairway. From there, the player must chip straight uphill only 70 yards to a green sloped from front to back. The signature hole, however, remains the par 3 16th, which, legend has it, served as Bobby Jones's inspiration for the 12th hole at Augusta National Golf Club. From one of three tee boxes, the hole plays to a very long, narrow green with three distinct levels that is guarded completely along the front by a large pond. Complicating matters are two pot bunkers, one in front of the green and one behind. The hole has been consistently rated among the best in the area, and was ranked by Washingtonian magazine locally. Overall, the par 70 (35-35) course measures in length, with a course rating of 72.3 and slope rating of 139. References External links Official Town of Chevy Chase History August 2009 Washington Examiner Article about the golf course 1911 establishments in Maryland Buildings and structures in Montgomery County, Maryland Chevy Chase (CDP), Maryland Golf clubs and courses in Maryland Sports venues completed in 1911 Tourist attractions in Montgomery County, Maryland