Didn't see this posted, but looks like there's a new event headed to DC with the TW foundation as the main charitable beneficiary. Link provided to ESPN.com. Didn't think it would take long considering the area.



http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/news/story?id=2781606

Replaces the International.

I hope they hold it at RTJ.
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Woods' foundation to host new tour event in Washington

By DOUG FERGUSON, AP Golf Writer
February 27, 2007

The PGA Tour is returning to the nation's capital during the Fourth of July, backed by the biggest name in golf.

The Tiger Woods Foundation will be the host organization of the new PGA Tour event in the Washington, D.C., area. Woods' foundation will be the primary beneficiary of charitable proceeds.


It was not certain that Woods will play in the Washington tournament this year because his wife is expecting their first child in early July. But it is likely the world's No. 1 player will be a regular in Washington, the first that his foundation has organized.

Also to be announced is a title sponsor and where the tournament will be played from July 5-8. Woods and PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem are to provide more details March 7 at a press conference in Washington.

The tournament replaces the International outside Denver, which said earlier this month it would no longer exist. The International could not find a title sponsor, and founder Jack Vickers complained that he was hurt by Woods not playing the event.

This new arrangement is even stronger than the Deutsche Bank Championship outside Boston, which named the Tiger Woods Foundation as its chief charitable partner. Woods has never missed the event.

As a DC area resident, all I can say is: WOO HOO!

I wonder if Tiger will get to have lunch in the Rose Garden??

I hope it's at a private course and not a public one. Because if it's held at a public course, it will drive up demand and price, therefore causing a "ripple effect" on other area courses to increase their prices even further. I already think that the greens fees for most Washington DC metro areas have become rediculous. I wish it was like the old pre-tiger days when golf was MUCH cheaper and you could actually get a round in under 5 hours!

Merged topics.

Congressional is the first choice, basically up to the members to approve it.

Doubt RTJ would take it on such short notice. A full field event there in July would ruin the course for the rest of the year.

I think this is further evidence that Tiger runs the tour. Vickers has to shut down his tourney, because Tiger won't come (not sure if this is a legit reason). But now Tiger has his own date and can run the show. I'm guessing that any bad blood between the tour and Jack Vickers is boiling now.

Every tournament that struggles can say that "If we just had Tiger, we'd be fine". Is Tiger supposed to play all 40 some events on Tour? The International had plenty of big players through the years, a hell of a lot more than many events on Tour that do survive. I suppose now the Duetsche Bank tournament will fail now since Tiger won't show up there since it's not benifitting his charity anymore.

All I am saying is that this solidifies the Tiger events and non-Tiger events disparity. I think the Tour needs to do something to bring a bit of parity ala the LPGA making the players play each evenet once every 3 or 4 years. It is a shame that the International folded up shop. Jack Vickers has done a hell of a lot over the years for the PGA Tour. Now it seems as if he is getting his face rubbed in it by the Tour and Tiger.

Saw this article and I'd have to say it was surprising to say the least. I don't think any of the courses would be doable just in terms of length. It'd certainly be an interesting thing, but I think Congressional will probably pick it up.

http://www.thegolfchannel.com/core.aspx?pa...8A-F9366028DFCA

greedy pga tour strikes again...

Is anybody planning on volunteering at the event?

I would be--waiting for some solid information to come out about the venue, etc.

That's the same boat I'm in.

here's some of the details that were annouced today.

________________________________________________________________________________________

During a press conference today in DC the Tour announced some details of the new tournament to be held in DC. It will be sponsored by AT&T and will be called the AT&T National.

More details to follow.


Tiger says he definitely plans on playing depending on the birth of the child, but right now the attention is to play.
____________________________________________________________
From Tigers online Newsletter:

NEWSLETTER

March 7, 2007

By Tiger Woods

Obviously, this is a pretty special week for me and the Tiger Woods Foundation. We are announcing the formation of a new PGA Tour event called the AT&T National in Washington, D.C. during Fourth of July Week, and I'm honored my foundation will be a part of it. Back in 1997, when we first started the Foundation, it was a goal of my father and I to host a PGA Tour event. I just wish he could have been here to see it.

PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem and his staff have done an amazing job of pulling this tournament together so quickly. When they approached us about this opportunity several weeks ago, we really didn't know if it was possible. But once the dialogue started and we spoke to Ed Whitacre and AT&T, we realized we had solid backing and could make this dream a reality. This is a wonderful addition to my Foundation's existing relationships with Deutsche Bank (Deutsche Bank Championship) and Target (Target World Challenge presented by Countrywide). My thanks to all three for being such good partners.

We hope to play the tournament at Congressional Country Club. So far, our discussions have been very positive. We'll just have to wait and see how it goes.

As for me playing this year, I'm planning to compete. A lot will depend on the birth of my first child, which obviously takes priority. But right now, my intent is to play.

I'm excited to celebrate July 4th in our nation's capital, and even more thrilled this tournament will help raise long-term funds and awareness for my Foundation. It was almost a no-brainer because of my father's military background and his work with the special forces. My goal has always been to create great citizens through education, character development and career exploration. Then we ask them to return the favor to others. I'm proud to say that during our first year at the new Tiger Woods Learning Center in Anaheim, Ca., more than 8,000 kids participated in the program. Overall, the Foundation has touched the lives of more than 10 million kids.

We plan to expand the Tiger Woods Foundation and are currently evaluating how we can best serve the Washington area. Specifically, we hope to bring the Tiger Woods Learning Center to the region. The Learning Center in Anaheim was built after extensive community research and we will follow a similar plan for the Washington area. Our hope is to impact the lives of future generations in a positive way.

Golf-wise, it was disappointing not to win the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship. I worked hard to prepare for the event and was playing well, but got off to a poor start in the third round and played catch-up most of the way against Nick O'Hern. I finally caught him, but missed a short putt that would have won the match. Hey, it happens. The most disappointing thing to me is that I didn't see a spike mark in my line. I'm not making excuses - I hit a poor putt - but the spike mark didn't help.

Prior to the tournament, I played a fun round at my home course at Isleworth Country Club with John Smoltz and Jeff Francoeur of the Atlanta Braves and Adam LaRoche of the Pittsburgh Pirates. I played their best-ball and I don't know what the exact total was but I know what the cash number was: Let's just say I did pretty well.

Next up is the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, where I've had a good success. Arnold has meant so much to this game and I always enjoy competing in his tournament. Following that, I will play in the WGC-CA Championship at Doral, where I've managed to win the past two years. Then, I'll start preparing for the Masters.

During my recent trip to Dubai, conditions were windy and the desert sand was blowing in my face. I decided to wear sunglasses - something I don't normally wear during competition - and they helped a lot. For the record, they were Nike Golf SIEGE Sunglasses and I highly recommend them.

When my design team and I were in Dubai for the Dubai Desert Classic, we visited Al Ruwaya, the first project for Tiger Woods Design, with our client Tatweer. We are still on track to start construction later this year and hope to open in late 2009.

That's all for now. I'll provide more details on our new tournament next month and also look ahead to the Masters Tournament.

Take care.

Tiger




Tiger said he'd like to see it at Congressional every yeat, as he says it is one of the greatest courses in the world. But he know with the US AM and US Open in future years that may be difficult.

http://www.asapsports.com/show_conference.php?id=41538

Full transcript of press conference today regarding this event.