For regular readers to this site you may remember way back in May we tried to make a prediction at about what the weather for the upcoming Ryder Cup would be like. Not that we’re a little closer to the event we might try and be a little more exact!
I’m afraid not great news on the weather front. Met Eireann is Irelands weather service and they have a 5 day forecast. For the practice days on Wednesday and Thursday it looks like it is going to be particularly unsettled with VERY strong South to South-Easterly winds of up to 30 knots. This will be accompanied by a lot of heavy rain with spot flooding forecast for areas in the East of the country. The good news is that the weather is due to moderate from Friday and throughout the weekend. Friday should see winds easing and spots of sunshine begin to appear and Saturday and Sunday will continue to clear however the winds will remain strong and from the south-east throughout.
Both Ryder Cup captains needless to say claim to be unfazed by the poor conditions forecast and there is a lot of truth in the fact that it will be the same conditions for both. That said many including Darren Clarke do feel it might give the Europeans a slight edge. More worryingly will be how the course holds up to it and with all of the heavy rain of late the ground must be ripe for waterlogging.
For everyones sake lets hope the rain lets up for play. The K Club in the rain would be a miserable experience for the fans. Nobody wants to be peering over somebody elses golf umbrella! I’m sure Failte Ireland are wearing out there rosary beads right now, as it would be a PR disaster for the country if the event is broadcast in the midst of gales and rain.
Technorati tags ryder cup, golf
I spoke with Gerry Byrne (the head greenkeeper at the K club) this evening and he was very confident of the ability of the course to handle the rainfall that has been forecast – both in terms of the play and the spectators. Gerry tells me that the bunkers (which might pose a problem for play)can be pumped and the areas for spectators have been underlayed with sandstone to prevent a bog forming…
And so it came to pass! The K Club course was closed this morning up until 9:30 AM due to health and saftey fears for spectators. Winds were gusting at 40Mph and there was further heavy rain throughout the night. The players have now taken the course and it will be a tough practice day out there against the elements.