While my better half was touring the Post mansion, I drove north to watch Wednesday's play at the AT&T National golf tournament at Congressional Country Club. I wanted to go on Wednesday because it is the only day of the tournament when they allow spectators to take photographs. The pro-am was played that day and the tour players are a bit more relaxed as their score doesn't count for the real tournament.
Most of the spectators parked in a field 30 minutes away from the country club and were bussed to the site. Entrepreneurs sold food and water just outside the gate. I later learned that you were not allowed onto the grounds with any food or beverage not purchased inside the gates.
The event had an exciting kick-off. Tiger Woods was unable to attend the tournament though he was listed as the host. Fred Couples filled in for him, welcoming everyone to the tourney. This blurb is from the official tournament web site: "The ceremonial first shot began weeks prior to the tournament as six sets of golf balls and drivers donated by Nike Golf were sent to military bases in Germany, Japan, The United Kingdom, Iraq, Afghanistan, and on the USS Lincoln. Each base selected a member of the U.S. military to hit one ceremonial shot. The golf balls hit by each soldier at five of the six bases arrived at Congressional Country Club on Wednesday, July 2 for the ceremony at the 1st tee via special delivery from the 101st Airborne Parachute Demonstration Team. Waiting as the 101st Airborne team parachuted in was Fred Couples, joined by 25 children whose parents are actively serving in the military. Two of the children, Maggie Rollins and Jeff Dahl actually hit the ceremonial “shot from around the world” with Fred and kicked off the official start of the tournament. Jeff, whose father is a member of Army Special Forces, is from Somers Point, N.J. While Maggie, whose father just returned from a tour of duty in Iraq, is from Woodbridge, VA."
Ryugi Imada gets some help on the putting green.
The weather was gorgeous with temps in the low 80s and the humidity quite tolerable.
As I walked toward the 18th green, I saw Mike Weir, the only Canadian to win the Masters, who had just finished his round.
Tim "Lumpy" Herron hails from Minnesota. He purportedly lost 65 pounds through diet and exercise but realized his game had gone south. He put the weight back on and his game returned. My hero!
Jim Furyk signs a AT&T National flag. He finished fourth in the tournament.