Print this page  |  Close Window

By John Maginnes
PGATOUR.com Contributor

BETHESDA, Md. -- The echoes from Wednesday's fireworks have long died down. So have the roars and moans from the nearly 140,000 spectators who descended on Congressional Country Club for the inaugural AT&T National.

Tiger Woods' putter let him down in the tournament, but in the end, the success of his event overshadowed his own play. (WireImage)

All that is left of the PGA TOUR's holiday weekend in Washington, D.C. are fond memories and anticipation for what is yet to come.

A lot was expected of this event. The anticipation was met and exceeded. The AT&T National became more than a golf tournament this week -- it became a celebration. The overall feel of the event was unique.

There were moments every day that signified that there was more at work here than just another golf tournament. From the ceremonial first tee shot hit by the 41st President of the United States there was a true sense of honor and hope.

Tiger Woods said he wanted the opportunity to say, "thank you" to the men and women who serve in the military. One particularly poignant moment came on Sunday as the tournament host was announced on the first tee by a Marine in full dress uniform. The moment was both formal and quaint as the No. 1 player in the world took center stage, if only for a moment.

Other members of the military announced the players as the approached the 18th green in the final round. Across the pond behind the 18th green, a distinguished group held an enormous American flag on the 10th tee. The scene for the players looking across the pond up toward the clubhouse was quite moving.

After the tournament, Tiger used the word, "embraced" to describe the reception from the Washington, D.C., community. When you left the golf course each day, you felt like you had just spent the day with 30,000 or 40,000 of your closest friends. There was a community feel to the event born of the patriotic spirit that the tournament fostered.

A packed house watched K.J. Choi hole out on the 72nd hole. (Getty Images)

The Washington area has long been a golf community. At the final Booz Allen Classic a year ago at the TPC Avenel, there was sadness and disappointment that championship golf was leaving the area. Less than a year later, the attitude is the complete opposite. The newest event on the PGA TOUR schedule may just become one of its signatures.

The most recognizable athlete in the world hosting an event in the nation's capital over July 4th weekend was certain to be exciting. But I don't think that anyone could have anticipated that it would be so well-received in its first year.

Tiger was a gracious host. Far more than a figurehead, Tiger was involved in everything from the sponsor's exemptions to shaking hands with all the men and women in uniform. After the tournament, he was disappointed with his finish --anything short of winning is disappointing to Tiger. But he was more than pleased with the way the tournament was regarded.

In the end, Tiger said that he thought that his father would be proud of the tournament. That is certainly part of what the July 4th weekend is all about -- remembering the brave souls, military or otherwise, who risked fortune and life so that future generations could live under a blanket of freedom.

From the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence to servicemen and servicewomen just returning from the war, they were all acknowledged at this week's event. We very well have witnessed the birth of a tradition in Washington, D.C., this week.

The obvious question is, "what can Tiger and the tournament organizers do to make next year's tournament better?" But we should have learned by now that we should never ask that question of Tiger. Just wait and he will show us.