It's never too early to start looking at the 2011 major slate

Can you believe the majors season is over already? Me neither. Here and gone, just like that. But since it's never too early to start dreaming of azaleas, we turn our eyes to next year. Is it April yet?

2011 Masters: Augusta National

The story: It's Augusta. In April. Really, what other story do you need?

Last major: Earlier this year. Phil Mickelson played one of the finest rounds of his life en route to winning his fourth major.

2011 U.S. Open: Congressional Country Club (Bethesda, Md.)

The story: Congressional has hosted the U.S. Open, the Senior Open and the PGA Championship. It's been a regular stop on the tour for the AT&T National, so this is a familiar course to most pros. Congressional's Blue Course finishes on a par-3, which the USGA hates, so for 2011 the USGA will reverse the hole and extend it, then reroute the course so that the old 17th now plays as the 18th.

Last major: In 1997, Ernie Els won the U.S. Open, outdueling Colin Montgomerie by a single stroke. This was Tiger Woods' first U.S. Open as a pro, but he finished T19.

2011 British Open: Royal St. George's (Kent, England)

The story: One of the oldest courses on the Open rotation, it's hosted 13 Opens and was the first club outside Scotland to host the championship.

Last major: In 2003, Ben Curtis produced one of the most improbable major wins in history, though he got a big boost from Thomas Bjorn. In one of the uglier closes to a major, Bjorn stood on the 16th tee with a two-shot lead, but needed three attempts to get out of a greenside bunker. Curtis ended up winning by a stroke over Bjorn and Vijay Singh.

2011 PGA Championship: Atlanta Athletic Club

The story: The century-old club was formerly sited on what is now East Lake, home of the Tour Championship. It has hosted a Ryder Cup, a U.S. Open and a PGA Championship. And it's going to be hotter and nastier than a sack of wet cats next August.

Last major: In 2001, David Toms won the PGA Championship, defeating Phil Mickelson by a single stroke on the strength of a 20-foot 18th-hole putt. Toms' 265 remains the lowest score ever recorded at a major championship.

So there you have it -- four majors, four quality courses. And we can count on some outstanding stories coming from them. Got a favorite this far out? Make your call now.