Tiger is in town this week for the AT&T National and that's all anybody is talking about. It's incredible. It's a happening. And it's been fun to be out at Congressional Country Club to watch all the festivities.  Leon Harris was the emcee this morning for the Official Ceremonies. Jessica Simpson, Tony Romo were the big names, but the big stars were the men and women of the armed services. Jim Nantz flew into town yesterday and immediately played nine holes at Burning Tree and headed to dinner. Oh what a life! Seriously, Jim is a great friend and he invited my wife Janet and me out to dinner and the three of us talked the night away. We were broadcast partners back in the day and I enjoyed every second of it. He is one of the most talented broadcasters I've ever seen. He is also a very real, quality guy. Ohhh, by the way......Jim picked up the check against my weak protests. No wonder I'm bragging about him.

The U.S.Open has been the story in sports for the last five days and with excitment building for Tigers tournament here in just a couple of weeks, I decided to take a little business trip. A scouting report! That's my story and I'm sticking to it.  I was invited to play Congressional Country Club Friday, June 12th, and it was in superb condition. We played from the Blue Tees (not the championship tees) and it was a load. The rough is thick, the greens are fast and the course measures 7,245 yards. On hole number 6 the USGA has built a new elevated tee for the 2011 U.S.Open and they won't allow Tigers tournament to use it. They built it and they want it used for their major. Saturday and Sunday. June 13th and 14th, I played Columbia Country Club in Chevy Chase. Columbia was the site of the 1921 U.S.Open and the course is in phenominal shape. The greens are as fast and pure as any you can play. Monday was a travel day. Janet and I left for Kohler Wisconsin where I played Whistling Straits on Tuesday. The straits will host the 2010 and 2015 PGA Championship and it is a treat. Open,rugged and wind swept terrain is sculpted along two miles of  the Lake Michigan shoreline. Whistling Straits is a links-style masterpiece which reminds me a Ballybunnion in Ireland. As a matter of fact, as long as I was in Wisconsin and on the property, I also played Irish Straits right next door. If it wasn't for the spa at the American Club, I don't know if I would have made it. Anyway, that's where I've been. Working overtime. Doing my scouting report and I am exhausted but happy to be back!

 

Greivis Vasquez is staying at Maryland rather than leaving early for the NBA. The 6'6 gaurd was at the Comcast Center this afternoon and sources close to the situation told me that this is a great decision by the emotional Venezuelan. He worked out for a handful of NBA teams and talked with a lot of people before making his decision. He did a great job doing his Due Diligence according to a source. The feeling is that one more year of college ball will improve his stock for next years draft.