R&A CEO Expresses Concerns Over Rio 2016 Course Delays

Peter Dawson the CEO of golf’s overseer the Royal and Ancient (R&A) has said he is not satisfied with the slow progress of the Olympic golf course for Rio 2016.

Dawson, who is also the President of the International Golf Federation (IGF), said that a planned test event may not even be possible because of the delays.

He told reporters in St Andrews: “We are not satisfied. I was down there just recently, and while the design of the course looks really good, the progress with the construction is not where we want it to be.

“There are no green shoots on the course yet – unless they are weeds.”

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) normally requires organisers to have test events, but the problems the Venue Reserva de Marapendi has faced, means golf may not have an option.

Dawson added: “There have been so many revisions to the plan it’s quite hard to say how far behind they are, but I think we are going to struggle to get a test event a year before the Games.

“I’m not writing that off completely, but we have to recognize that might be difficult.”

Golf is returning to the Olympic programme after being voted back in – the last time golf was played at the Games was in 1904.

Despite the delays, Dawson said he was not “disturbed at this point” and said he thinks the course “will be in time for the Olympics.”

“”There have been meetings held last week in Rio to revise the plan, to increase manpower and facilities, designed to bring the project back on track,” he added.