Golfers criticize playing conditions at Squaw Creek

Tammie Green said the conditions are the worst she has encountered.
By BRIAN RICHESSON
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
VIENNA -- Beth Daniel was hoping to adjust to poor conditions in the second round of the Giant Eagle LPGA Classic.
She's still waiting.
"The PGA would not have played here," Daniel said. "PGA gets consistency every week. We [on the LPGA Tour] don't have that."
After shooting even-par Saturday at Squaw Creek Country Club, for a two-round total of 2-over 146, Daniel vented about wet conditions, which left the course soggy for the second straight day.
"The disappointing thing to me is that they didn't cut the greens [Friday]," said Daniel, a Hall of Fame member who won the Phar-Mor in Youngstown tournament in 1990. "I don't know how you play a tournament without cutting the greens. That's ridiculous."
Decision-making
Because of heavy rains throughout the week, the Squaw Creek grounds crew cut the greens Thursday night, but not before the tournament's start Friday morning.
"These greens spin [the ball] back because they're thatchy. There's a lot of grass on them and balls come back at you," Daniel said. "I spun a 4-iron back [Friday]. That shouldn't happen."
After the first round, Squaw Creek's focus was on improving the greens. They were cut Friday night and again Saturday morning, and it was apparent that they became faster, course superintendent Lou Greco said.
"That changed them some, but there's a lot of grass out there," Daniel said. "The thickness of the grass on the greens causes them problems. They aren't going to get a lot faster.
"I'm not an expert on golf course management," she added, "but I think they're more than a lawn mower away."
Golfers said the course may have been wetter in the second round Saturday.
"Players are accustomed to more speed on the greens, but the conditions didn't warrant that," said Suzy Whaley, who shot 1-under-par Saturday and is 1-over for the tournament. "The greens rolled more smoothly, but they didn't change much in speed."
Too much moisture
Although the course was able to dry Friday night, improvement was minimal because of the overriding moisture.
"The greens weren't as fast as expected, but that's because of the moisture in the soil," Greco said. "We can't do much about that."
Former Giant Eagle champion Tammie Green called the conditions at Squaw Creek the worst she's ever played spanning a 16-year career.
"There's really no place to walk; you almost have to change your style of walk," said Green, who was 6-over-par after two rounds.
"It's really a shame what's happening," Green added. "It's going to take a long time for this course to get back to normal, and I hate to see that."
XVindicator sportswriter Joe Scalzo contributed to this story.
richesson@vindy.com