More News

Throughout the spring, the Washington, D.C. region has been drenched with rain, creating flooding in many areas. According to WRC-TV4 in D.C., the area received 3.98 inches of rain in the first half of June; the average rainfall for the entire month is 3.13 inches.

But the excessive precipitation has not been an issue at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda. According to the club's head professional and director of golf John Lyberger, Congressional's Blue Course has not sustained any water damage and will be in "immaculate" condition when it plays host to 120 professionals for the AT&T National.

"It's playing a little long right now with all the rain, but it's in magnificent shape," Lyberger said. "The course drains very well. The beautiful greens are great. There is lots of lush grass and the course is in shape for great golf."

Typically, balls do not roll as much on a wet course. That means shots from the tee or fairway will not travel as far, a disadvantage to golfers. But it is an advantage putting on heavy or "slow" greens, because missed putts will not roll as far away from the hole.

Lyberger was also quick to point out that conditions may change by the time first-round play tees off on July 2.

Otherwise, the 18 holes on the 7,255-yard, par-70 course have not undergone any major changes from a year ago.

"The PGA Tour is very consistent," said Lyberger. "The PGA Tour will set the course up based on weather. … It will be a great test. Hopefully it will be even better, since we got Tiger back playing this year."

Immediately following completion of the final round on July 5, the course will close to begin renovations in anticipation of the 2011 U.S. Open.

Congressional has played host to several of golf's most prestigious events, including the 1959 U.S. Women's Amateur, 1964 U.S. Open, 1976 PGA Championship, Kemper Open (1980-86), 1995 U.S. Senior Open, and 1997 U.S. Open.

The Blue Course was also slated to host this year's U.S. Amateur until the United State Golf Association decided in 2007 to move its marquee amateur event to Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Okla. The USGA cited concerns over Congressional's putting surfaces following the inaugural AT&T National.

Bunkers, fairways and tee boxes will also be tweaked during the renovations, which are scheduled to close the course for several months.

"We are going to go through renovation on Blue Course greens," Lyberger said. "It needed to be done not just for the [U.S. Open], but to maintain a great product for our members. … We hope to have seed in the ground September 15 and reopen in the spring."