Southampton, N.Y.'s Sebonack Golf Club this week hosted the U.S. Women's Open and "emerged as a major player" in golf, according to Mark Herrmann of NEWSDAY. But the "question is, what is next?" Sebonack Owner Michael Pascucci said, "I haven't thought about it. We're just finishing this out. But I think we certainly would think about doing something every eight to 10 to 12 years." The course this week proved it is "hearty enough for a men's U.S. Open." But it is an open question "whether the property could sustain three times the infrastructure it had this week." USGA sources said that it "would not bring its crown jewel so close to Shinnecock Hills, already an Open site." But Sebonack "has the right to aim high." The course "looked spectacular on TV" and it would be a "shame not to put it on the air again." The crowds this week were "only OK, not great." But maybe it was "because of the weather or the lack of American contenders" (NEWSDAY, 7/1).
STAYING PUT: GOLFCHANNEL.com's Jason Sobel noted Tiger Woods is "lobbying to keep" the PGA Tour AT&T National at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md., "beyond its current contractual obligation, which runs through next year." Woods said, "The membership has been fantastic. We've enjoyed our time here. Trust me, we'd like to come back." He added, "This is a huge sporting town. They really support their sports here" (GOLFCHANNEL.com, 6/30). Of the crowds at the AT&T National, Comcast Sportsnet’s Chick Hernandez said, “It’s been a little bit decreased obviously with Tiger not being here and then Justin Rose, as you said, withdrawing right before the tournament. ... If Robert Griffin III for the Redskins was advertised as being out here, then they might come out even more” (“Morning Drive,” Golf Channel, 6/29).
