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By John Maginnes
PGATOUR.com Contributor

When you think Washington, D.C., sports, the first thing that comes to mind is the Redskins. However, our nation's capital is a major sports market that often gets overlooked. At the moment Washington is represented in the four major sports; NFL, MLB, NBA and the NHL.

John Maginnes (WireImage)

The return of the PGA TOUR to Washington this year is serendipitous. The new era in golf with its revamped FedExCup schedule originally did not include the AT&T National. But this week's TOUR stop has been much anticipated in the locker room since its announcement early this spring.

In 1996 and 1997, Tiger Woods announced to the players on the PGA TOUR that the bar had been raised. Not only did Tiger push the players on TOUR to get better if they wanted to compete, he pushed tournament directors to improve their events if they wanted to attract the No. 1 player in the world.

The Wachovia Championship combined a world-class golf course with every conceivable amenity and was rewarded with a list of champions that now includes Tiger. It is generally agreed that the Wachovia Championship now has the feel of a major. With Tiger as the official host and his foundation being the charitable beneficiary of the AT&T National, it is likely that the bar has been raised again.

Congressional Country Club has hosted numerous major championships all to rave reviews. Two years ago, the Booz Allen Classic moved across River Road to Congressional and attracted the tournament's best field in decades. This single event gave tangible proof that players on the PGA TOUR are more interested in playing the world's best golf courses than they are about money or amenities.

Tiger Woods, AT&T and Congressional are a trilogy that should take the PGA TOUR to yet another level. Obviously, any time Tiger tees it up there is increased interest. Combining his star power, a tremendous golf course and a terrific sponsor would most certainly be enough to make the AT&T National an overwhelming success. Did I mention that this will be Tiger's first appearance since becoming a father?

The exterior of the Congressional Country Club clubhouse. (WireImage)

Put all of those factors together in Washington, D.C., over the July 4 weekend and you have more than a golf tournament. This tournament has the potential to become a tradition unlike any regular season PGA TOUR event. The Fourth of July festival in Washington draws tourists and patriots from all over the country. The opportunity to sit on the grass between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial and watch the fireworks is a once-in-a-lifetime event.

As an American, it is impossible to walk the paths of our National Mall and not be affected. The men honored here were pioneers and statesman the likes of which had never been seen in the history of mankind. The Fourth of July is a celebration of their fearlessness, dedication and accomplishment.

With that in mind, a sporting event might seem inconsequential on such a day. However, sports are woven into the fabric of modern-day America in the same way that music and poetry were a century or two ago. So many young dreams revolve around our sports heroes. Who among us didn't dream of hitting one out of the park to win the World Series or holing the final putt to win the U.S. Open?

The AT&T National is the right place and the right time for the PGA TOUR to show just how entertaining it can be. When the players get excited about an event, the tournament tends to take on a life of its own. When Tiger gets excited about an event, the event transcends certain aspects of everyday TOUR life.

This week the TOUR; Washington, D.C., and the golf world are in for a treat. All the stars have aligned to create more than a golf tournament. There has been a buzz in the air for months in anticipation of what is sure to be a special event.

Happy Fourth of July.