Wet weather puts organizers on alert

Woods eyes repeat at U.S. Open
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By Mark Lamport-Stokes
FARMINGDALE, New York (Reuters) - Organizers have made contingency plans for the 109th U.S. Open because of a bleak weather forecast.
Extensive rain over the last six weeks has saturated Bethpage State Park's Black Course and further showers are expected on Long Island for the next four days.
"The weather has not been our friend and right now the course is extremely soft," chairman of the championship committee Jim Hyler told reporters on Wednesday. "It's rained in this area something like 30 of the last 45 days.
"Rain is forecast to begin tonight and into tomorrow. It could be as much as half to an inch of rain. If we get an inch of rain it will definitely impact what we do.
"The issue is the course and how much more water it can take," Hyler added.
"We will have volunteers at every green with squeegees. We have nine water hogs ... and we have over 200 people who will be dedicated to keeping this course playable and as dry as possible."
The par-70 Black Course, at 7,426 yards, will become the longest layout to stage a U.S. Open but organizers have the flexibility to vary the tees for all four rounds.
EARLY DECISIONS
"We'll be making some decisions early tomorrow morning about where we put certain tees," Hyler said.
"We will not put any hole locations in low areas of the greens but the teeing grounds will be decided in the morning based on what is happening in the morning and forecast for the rest of the day."
The fairway at the par-four 18th hole, where the tee box and green are both elevated, was of particular concern for Hyler.
"That (hole) is built on a swamp, and it is a swamp," he said. "It does not drain very well and it's very, very wet. We have dry wells there that are constantly being pumped.
"We've actually taken the greens rollers down there and tried to roll that fairway to move water but that's the highest area of concern with regard to the weather."
Despite the poor forecast for the rest of the week, Hyler said players would not be permitted to lift, clean and replace their golf balls on the fairway.
"We'll suspend (play)," he added. "If it's not fair to be playing the ball as it lies, we'll suspend play. We'll stay here until we get a champion." Continued...
Source: Reuters