All Washed out at Volvo Masters
31/10/08
As the promised weather front crashed into Andalucia, piling 46mm of rainfall onto the Valderrama course, only three rounds of golf could be completed but Tournament Director David Garland remains confident of completing the 21st and final Volvo Masters on time.
On a day that would have suited the sailors of the Volvo Ocean Race more than the golfers at the Volvo Masters, persistent rain brought about the suspension of play just after midday with proceedings called off for the day just after 3pm.
Only three rounds of golf were able to be completed as surface water gathered on some greens and casual water in a number of bunkers and Tournament Director David Garland had little alternative but to foreshorten the day and hope to get back on schedule over the weekend.
“With so much rain falling and 25mph winds blowing in, play became impossible,” said Garland, adding, “We will hopefully complete the second and most of the third rounds on Saturday, and we are fortunate the Valderrama drains so well and that we have a 56-man field and I am reasonably confident we will be in a position to finish the Volvo Masters on Sunday.”
The 57-man field was reduced to 56 on the sad news that defending champion Justin Rose had withdrawn from the Volvo Masters due to the death of his grandfather Donald White in South Africa.
Vladerrama Course Superintendent Juan Zumaquero said, “There has been more rain, 46mm over 12 hours than there was at the Ryder Cup in 1997 and the course has stood up so well.”
He added, “We will be working well into the evening and from 4am on Saturday to try to make sure the Volvo Masters can get back on schedule.” said Per Ericsson, President & CEO of Volvo Event Management, “Clearly golf takes a back seat in such sad circumstances and our thoughts are with Justin and his family at the sad time.”
Of the three rounds that were played, young Englishman Nick Dougherty carded an excellent two-over-par 73, an excellent round of golf in the circumstances, whilst play will resume at 08.30am on Saturday 1st November, weather permitting.
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