An Ode to Walter Travis’ Original Design

‘Reversible Day’ is National Links Trust’s annual celebration of Golden Age architect, Walter Travis’ original design of the historic Blue Course at East Potomac Golf Links. The course hosted the 1923 US Amateur Public Links Championship, a national championship event for public golfers conducted by the USGA from 1922-2014. With its original design, the course also held the unique distinction of being one of the country’s few reversible routings.

When designing the course, Travis took inspiration from the Old Course at St. Andrews, and the layout was designed to be played in two directions, creating exciting variety for golfers on a day-to-day basis and spreading out the wear and tear from the droves of golfers patronizing the popular course. The two directions of the first nine were known as the A and B courses, and the two directions of the new holes were called the C and D nines. Today the course is played in a modified version of the B and D routing, though some changes have been made.

On April 18, 2025 at the fourth annual Reversible Day, participants will be granted the once-a-year privilege of playing a modified 14-hole version of the original A and C routings. This adventurous routing not only pays homage to Travis’ original masterpiece, but also provides a glimpse of what National Links Trust intends to restore with Tom Doak in the future. We hope you join us!

MORE INFORMATION

  • Friday, April 18th, 2025

  • The Blue Course at East Potomac Golf Links

  • Check back soon!

  • Check back soon!

  • Given the modified reversible routing, we ask that you please use caution when playing and be mindful of where other players are at on the golf course. There will be volunteers at specific points of the golf course to provide instruction of where to aim. We ask that you please listen to our volunteers.

A Look at The Original Reversible Design

A portion of the original B and D routings, similar to that which is played today.

A portion of the A and C routings, similar to that which will be played at Reversible Day in 2025.

Photos from Past REVERSIBLE DAY Events