Well, well — look who’s crawling back to Washington acting like they may do us a favor. A sudden hole in its schedule has the PGA Tour weighing Congressional Country Club as a summer stopover.
Are you kidding me? They kicked Washington to the curb after it greatly supported a mostly terrible date for 21 years, but suddenly this region is worthy once more?
PGA commissioner Tim Finchem — you’ve got more nerve than O.J.’s publisher. The International was unexpectedly dropped in Denver. Now the PGA is considering Washington, Portland, Minneapolis and Kansas City for the July 5-8 tournament. If you thought June was muggy, try July on the shadeless fairways. That’s hotter than Britney getting out of her limo.
By the way, Tiger Woods won’t come to this tournament, either. Same goes for many other top golfers. It’s another Grade-B event charging Triple-A prices at old money Congressional that many of us would never see otherwise. I feel like the groundskeeper would unleash the hounds on me if ever arriving uninvited. OK, they’ve always been nice to me, but the place is a little intimidating to those of us who actually notice what things cost.
Finchem is putting lipstick on a pig. Washington is really a swell town, he says. Lots of nice politicians. Guess Finchem doesn’t know that weekend falls in tourist season when locals are headed to the beach.
“If all is equal and Washington was one of [the finalists,],” Finchem said, “we would probably prioritize Washington because it’s a great time with the Fourth of July.”
How come if all things are equal, Washington didn’t keep its tour stop? We were hosed big time when dismissed from the PGA Tour. The PGA was never returning until it suddenly needed Washington.
So here’s the big question for golf fans: Are you suckers enough to buy this deal? The event is probably coming so will you spend big money after last year’s snub? It reminds me of Dan Snyder charging $10 for Redskins training camp in 2000. It’s one thing to be taken for granted, but quite another being told to smile while mistreated.
Thank you, sir, may I have another?
The PGA should only be welcomed if offering a long-term deal with a good date that draws top names. It doesn’t have to be Tiger, but forget luring only the bottom half of the Tour looking for their only win or first in years. Washington isn’t some backwater. This is the nation’s capital, worthy of more respect from those wanting something.
If the PGA can’t treat Washington fans fairly, who needs it?
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Contact him at [email protected].
