Women's Amateur Blog

Stephanie Parel, the director of the U.S. Women's Amateur Championship, just announced that Rhode Island Country Club's course will be closed for the remainder of the day. Players and caddies may still walk the course if they like, but may not take their clubs and they must stay off of putting greens. The practice area also has been shut down for the time being. If the weather lets up, the range may re-open. Play is expected to start on schedule for Monday's first stroke-play qualifying round.

Heavy rains have pelted the Barrington, R.I., area since this morning. The USGA agronomist, Jim Skorulski, said that three-quarters of an inch had fallen as of noon. Standing water could be seen on a bunch of holes on the Donald Ross layout.

 

 

The final practice round for the 2011 U.S. Women's Amateur is more like a survival fest -- as in trying to stay dry. It has been pouring since early this morning at Rhode Island Country Club with no let-up in sight. Our USGA agronomist on site, Jim Skorulski said the course had received three-quarters of an inch of rain as of noon. We could get more than an inch before the storm ceases. Some players, believe it or not, have gone out in the elements to play, although there is standing water on the course. Hopefully, this storm will exit the premises sometime today, so we can have quality playing conditions for Monday's first round of stroke-play qualifying. We want to see golf, not sailboat races.