Big difference: Conditions improve

Squaw Creek Country Club is primed for the tournament.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
VIENNA -- For those of you who are still cleaning the mud off your shoes from last year's Giant Eagle LPGA Classic, this year's tournament has a welcome addition.
Dry ground.
"I've heard nothing but good things from the players so far," said Bob Patrick, course superintendent at Squaw Creek Country Club. "We're right where we want to be."
It's a big change from last June, when the course was flooded by rain in May and, despite the best efforts of Squaw Creek's grounds crew, never really recovered.
"We haven't done anything different," said Patrick, who took over as course superintendent after last year's tournament. "As far as golf goes, we've done the same things that get done every year. It's just that this year's tournament is in July.
"That makes a big difference."
Beneficial
Monday's rain may have actually helped a little, Patrick said, and Tuesday's hot, humid weather dried out much of the course.
"It's a little wet right now after the rain [Monday]," said golfer Sherri Turner, "but the course is beautiful. The course is always in really nice shape."
To combat the flooding, the grounds crew added mulch around some of the concession stands over the past year and tournament officials added extra gravel to the parking lots. So many vehicles needed towed at last year's tournament that area towing companies were leaving flyers on windshields in many lots.
"We have a great crew here and they really deserve the credit," Patrick, who has worked at Squaw Creek off and on since 1976, said. "It's not just me, it's those 14 guys who come to work and really come together to get the job done."
That work has paid off.
"Last year was wet, but it wasn't their fault," said golfer Natalie Gulbis. "They were out here doing what they could. There was just too much rain.
"The course looks really nice now."
Looking ahead
Although today's forecast calls for rain, the rest of the week should be nice enough to keep the course in good shape.
"It doesn't need any more rain," said golfer Laura Diaz, who did not play in last year's tournament. "I think the course is in really great shape. It's a good course."
Patrick plans to keep it that way.
"Things look pretty good right now," he said. "But the weather comes and goes, so it sort of depends on that right now."
XVindicator staff writer Kurt Snyder contributed to this report.