Youth Help Kick Off The Nation's Golf Championship

More than 800 children from local golf programs, youth service agencies and schools got the chance to help kick off the nation's golf championship at in Bethesda Sunday.

Practice rounds kick off Monday for the U.S. Open, and the golf championship will wrap up in Bethesda Sunday. The tournament is expected to draw a quarter-million spectators throughout the week.

Sunday, local children participated in the 11th annual U.S. Open Junior Day at Congressional. The children heard from speakers including local Olympic gymnast Dominique Dawes, who is also the current co-chair of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition. The kids also watched a golf show by cancer survivor and PGA Professional Ben Witter and an exhibition featuring 2007 and 2009 USA Walker Cup Team member Rickie Fowler.

All the young participants have the chance to re-visit the course Monday to watch a practice round.