ESPN Audio To Broadcast U.S. Open

I'm always impressed with how exciting golf play-by-play actually sounds on XM and I suspect this will add quite a bit to the U.S. Open fan experience unless...Chris Berman handles some play-by-play. 

Far Hills, N.J., & Bristol, Conn. (March 11) – ESPN Audio and the United States Golf Association have announced an agreement granting ESPN Audio exclusive rights to present play-by-play coverage of the 2010 and 2011 U.S. Open Championships on its various media platforms.
 
The deal provides ESPN Audio live hole-by-hole coverage rights for the United States, its territories and possessions, and Canada, as well as the right to distribute content via any and all means of audio distribution, including terrestrial radio, satellite radio, HD radio, broadband and wireless audio platforms.
 
The 2010 U.S. Open Championship will be played June 17-20 at Pebble Beach (Calif.) Golf Links and marks ESPN Audio’s initial foray into golf play-by-play. The 2011 U.S. Open Championship will be played June 16-19 at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md.

“We are so pleased to partner with ESPN Radio in connection with our efforts to bring the U.S. Open to as many fans of the game as possible and in as many ways as possible,” said Peter Bevacqua, chief business officer of the USGA. “We are also looking forward to working with ESPN to provide on-site radio coverage that will benefit and improve the overall experience of our championship spectators.”
 
“We look forward to presenting the U.S. Open to our fans, affiliates and advertisers, and to adding one of golf’s majors to our other top-shelf event programming, including the NBA and The Finals, MLB and the World Series, and the BCS and its championship,” said Mo Davenport, senior vice president of ESPN Audio. “ESPN Audio will utilize its expertise across all of our platforms, from the standard terrestrial broadcast to podcast offerings, allowing fans to enjoy the U.S. Open wherever and whenever they want.”
 
ESPN Radio will broadcast six hours each of Thursday’s and Friday’s rounds, and a minimum of four-and-a-half hours each of Saturday’s and Sunday’s rounds, including complete 18-hole coverage of each weekend day’s final group. If a playoff is needed, ESPN Radio will also broadcast the entire 18 holes on Monday.

The release notes that fans will be able to hear the stream via devices provided on site. It's not clear if they'll be for rent or free, but either way I suspect they'll be quite popular. Unless...