Page 48 - The Golf Guide, Summer 2016

Feature Story

Quicken Loans National ~ Tiger’s Town

Nick Ciattei

The year is 1996, the U.S. Open has returned to
Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, MD,
and “Tiger-mania” was born in the Washington,
DC, area. Spectators climbed trees to get a glimpse
of the young phenom who stood on the cusp of
taking the golf world by storm. Fast forward to
this May, and Tiger Woods returns to the area,
albeit for just a day, to promote the upcoming
Quicken Loans National. Woods has hosted
the event, now in its 10th year, that aids his
Tiger Woods Foundation and also pays tribute
to our armed forces. The famed Blue Course
at Congressional will be the site this year for
the seventh time and for three of the next five
summers.
During the pre-tournament press conference,
Woods spoke about the success of the event having
raised more than $24 million for his foundation’s
college access programs and embracing the
military, which has become a staple of the week-
long classic. Tiger started by saying “this golf
course itself has been one hell of a test for us as
players, whether it’s the U.S. Open or it’s just the
Quicken Loans event, it’s still just an amazing
test.” Having been brought up in a military family
with his dad Earl, Woods added “how important it
was to have the military involvement here. Over
30,000 tickets are given away each and every year
to people who are men, women in the service, and
all their dependents. So it means a lot to us.” When
asked to give an update on his health and whether
he could play in this event, Woods quipped “it would be nice to know that I am
going to play on such a date, but I don't know. I'm still trying to get stronger.”

Those fans who have attended know the
PGA Tour and Congressional do a great
job putting on this event at this natural
venue for golf viewing. The unique
topography just inside the beltway also
makes for an easy access anywhere
in the DMV. Tickets can be purchased
online at QLNational.com or by calling
1-855-492-8051.

46 GOLFGUIDEINC.COM