The rain hasn’t let up at Concord Golf Club on Saturday morning, and play won’t resume until Sunday morning. The Golf Challenge NSW Open reduced to 54 holes.
Another 50mm lashed the Tom Doak layout before players arrived for the proposed first tee time on Saturday at 7:30am. Hopes of getting some golf in the third round dashed when more rain hit the inner west of Sydney around 9am when key decision makers were meeting to decide the future.
“Bunkers and greens are in great condition, but there is too much surface water to get out on course today,” Golf NSW Chief Operation Officer Graeme Phillipson said. “Even after a day of drying the green staff will need some time to get ready on Sunday morning. It will be a two tee start on Sunday morning around 10am.”
TV coverage will be live from 12pm with the assistance from the greenkeeping staff.
7.30am: Delayed – Next Play Update 9.00am
Play was due to get underway in the third round of the Golf Challenge NSW Open at 7:30am but more rain has hit Sydney.
The already battered Concord had received more than 40 mm of rain overnight after more than 850mm already this year – more than 80 percent of its annual average rain fall.
Heavy rain, accompanied by thunder and lightning lashed the inner west of Sydney overnight meaning superintendent Chris Howe and his staff have more work to do to prepare for the first tee time of Damien Jordan and Ben Wharton.
Official figures from nearby weather stations from the Bureau of Meteorology do not make good reading; Breakfast Point 62.4mm, 54.4 Concord WS, and 58.4mm at Ryde up until 7.00am this morning.
Rain continues to drizzle and there will be no play before 10am. Players will be updated at 9.00am with more news on the delay.
