Massive rainfalls have contributed to widespread and tragic flooding throughout West Virginia, with state officials saying at least 23 people have lost their lives as a result.
That’s the most important side of the story, of course. The sports side of the equation seems trivial. But it’s still news that the PGA Tour canceled the Greenbrier Classic, played annually at the Greenbrier resort in White Sulphur Springs, WV. The PGA Tour had been expected to make a decision in the wake of the storms, with the resort itself having sustained major damage, as seen above (picture via @PGATour).
On Saturday, PGA Tour commissioner released this statement announcing the cancellation of the event:
Here is the full PGA Tour statement regarding the Greenbrier Classic cancellation: pic.twitter.com/ISaWOXBjzo
— Jason Sobel (@JasonSobelGolf) June 25, 2016
This is not unprecedented, but it is rare:
The Greenbrier Classic is just the 3rd PGA Tour event canceled due to weather conditions in the last 20 years ('09 S Farms, '96 Pebble).
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) June 25, 2016
Tournaments were also canceled in 2001 in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks.
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) June 25, 2016
The PGA Tour is making the right call, both from a logistical standpoint and from a humanitarian standpoint. The situation in West Virginia is of literal life-and-death, and all local resources should be devoted to rescue, recovery, and rebuilding.
