Mark Bado is a little distracted this week, watching the U.S. Open.

"It's been pretty exciting going back to the old home, at least visiting through pictures and the media. Reading all the articles in every golf magazine and Sports Illustrated and watching the coverage from ESPN and NBC."

Bado is the general manager of the Country Club of Peoria. But 13 years ago, the Pittsburgh native enjoyed what he calls his greatest experience as a professional. Mark was an executive at Oakmont Country Club the last time it hosted the Open.

"The eyes of the world are on you. Not just the golf world, the whole world. A number of people have come up to me this week who live in Peoria and have already been there this week or are there right now. I received phone calls this week giving me weather updates and course conditions and heights of rough and green speed. It's just been a pretty exciting situation and I still have great contact with people there."

Bado was on the staff at Oakmont for 4 years. But Open week, in 1994, was definitely the highlight. And the pinnacle was a chance meeting with Arnold Palmer. For a boy from Western Pennsylvania, kibitzing at a hot dog stand on the golf course with the legend from Latrobe was like dining with a King.

"He was a member and I was able to sneak out there while he was playing a practice round with Bob Ford and a couple of members. Somehow we ended up having a snack at the turn. We sat down and had a hot dog together. It was just like having a hot dog with you. It was very low key, very informal and it was a great experience to spend some time with Mr. Palmer."

It was also a memorable Open for Palmer, because it was his last.