The weather in DC has cooled down and is supposed to be really nice this week, which led me to think the USGA could get the course in exactly the condition they'd like. But a story in this morning's WaPost suggests that some would like some rain:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2011-us-open-congressional-is-waiting-on-a-rain-day/2011/06/12/AGMeADSH_story.html2011 U.S. Open: Congressional is waiting on a rain day
By Barry Svrluga, Monday, June 13, 12:03 AM
At 4:30 p.m. Sunday, thunder rumbled over Congressional Country Club, and the couple of dozen players who were finishing up practice for the U.S. Open heeded the warning of a horn atop the clubhouse and scampered for cover. The reaction among club and tournament officials: joy.
“We need this rain to be a good soaking,” said Paul Klinedinst, co-chair of Congressional’s U.S. Open committee.
By all accounts, Congressional is ready to host the Open — which begins Thursday and runs through Sunday — for the third time. But Washington has been dealing with exceptionally warm weather over the past two weeks, and that has impacted the rough. Mike Giuffre, the director of golf course maintenance, believes one rain will bring the rough back to life, making it a big more gnarly.
Though staffers from the United States Golf Association, which stages the Open, and contractors were due to be working through Sunday night, the club and the course are prepared.
“It’s coming down to the final minute for them,” Klinedinst said. “But it’s gone really well. The preparations are unbelievable.”
Construction of what amounts to a small city — merchandise tents, corporate suites, grandstands, concessions, etc. — began in mid-March. Workers were finishing the construction of spectator gates and painting even late Sunday afternoon.
Among those who got in at least nine holes of practice Sunday were K.J. Choi, who won the AT&T National at Congressional in 2007; Bubba Watson, a three-time winner on tour over the past year; Australian Aaron Baddeley, who played with Watson. Monday’s practice rounds begin with a group of young stars — Jason Day, Nick Watney, Justin Rose and Webb Simpson — signed up to tee off at 7 a.m. from No. 10.
The USGA announced that tickets to all four rounds of competition are sold out. Tickets for practice rounds Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are available at the main and clubhouse admission gates. Children 12 and under will be admitted for free during any day of the tournament when accompanied by an adult ticket holder.
“I think we’re where we want to be,” Kinedinst said