OLYMPIA -- Back at nearly full strength for the first time in weeks, the Senate came out in support of the upcoming U.S. Open at Chambers Bay Golf Course in Pierce County.

Mostly in support, any way. There was some grumbling in the wings about taking the time to watch a video and extoll the virtues of the PGA tournament.

Sen. Steve O'Ban said it will show off the golf course and the region to 140 million people watching worldwide. "What the Super Bowl is to football, the U.S. Open is to golf. We'll have more and more tourism because of the U.S. Open."

Sen. Brian Dansel, a former golf pro, said some people underestimate how big landing the U.S. Open is. If the Professional Golfers Association likes what they see, Chambers Bay could draw in more tournaments in the future, he said.

But Sen. Christine Rolfes, said the Legislature should hurry up with its other duties, and be done before the tournament starts. "To our budget leaders, get us out of here before the Chambers Bay U.S. Open."

The final day of the special session -- make that the first special session -- is Thursday. Gov. Jay Inslee has said he will call them back into a second special session to start on Friday.

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