Giant Tropical Storm Andrea Set To Soak Merion Ahead Of US Open

Isn’t it always the way.  You plan to the nth degree, you leave no stone unturned in the preparation,  then what happens?  It rains!

stormThat unfortunately is the prospect for US Open venue Merion in the coming days as Tropical Storm Andrea is expected to soak the course as it makes its way across the Eastern Seaboard of the USA.  The storms winds have already caused disruption and injury as it passed through Florida and flash-flood warnings have been issued across 13 states, from Georgia to Maine.

Unfortunately Marion (in Pennsylvania) is very susceptible to flooding.  Mike Davis from the USGA has already made arrangements for two holes on the West Course to be used if there is flooding damage to the 11th and 12th holes on the East Course.

"We know the 11th hole floods," Davis told Golf Digest. "Hardly goes a year where the stream isn't up and over the green at some point. Apparently they've done some work downstream that causes backups. So, historically, it floods and it drains. Having said that, you have to ask, 'What if all hell breaks loose? What if it stays flooded for two days?' That's why we're going to take some precautionary measures on the West Course."

Matt Shaffer, Merion's director of golf-course operations also said of the 12 th green,"I've pulled logs and tree trunks off that green. It's had so much silt and grit left on it, the subsurface has turned to concrete. I mean, the players in the U.S. Open better pray it floods a little--otherwise, they won't be able to leave a ball mark."

Storm damage aside, Shaffer makes a real point about rain.  Merion’s greens are currently all set up rock hard for the toughest Major of the year.  If they are soaked and softened the winning score could go from level par to 10 under.

Let’s pray it misses!

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