U.S. Open Scores Hole-in-One for Local Economy

Congressional Country Club and the surrounding area are recuperating after a long week of U.S. Open golf.  Pedestrian bridges are being taken down, gutters and curbs are being restored and signage is being removed.  While all traces of last week’s Championships are fading, area businesses are still seeing dollar signs.

Around 230,000 people (229,574 to be exact) walked through the gates of Congressional in Bethesda last week for the 2011 U.S. Open Championships.  According to the USGA, the attendance increased gradually throughout the week-long tournament, beginning with the practice rounds which had 12,598 on Monday, 17,415 on Tuesday, and 23,315 on Wednesday.  The first round on Thursday saw 37,752 people walk through the gates, 44,519 on Friday, 48,088 on Saturday, and 45,887 on Sunday for the final round.  Those numbers include spectators, staff & volunteers.

Teeing Off at Congressional: U.S. Open comes to Maryland

This week the 111^th U.S. Open is underway at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda.  This is the third time the course has hosted the U.S. Open, first in 1964 and more recently in 1997.  This time around the course has a new feel to it.

Changes to the blue course were made following the 1997 Open.  The 18^th hole was a par-3, over the water hole.  It was thought that the hole wasn’t dramatic enough for the 18^th hole of a major championship.  The par-4 17^th hole, however, had a green practically surrounded by water.  It was the source of much drama during the 1997 Open.  So, in preparation for the 2011 U.S. Open, course changes were made.