Six weeks after Irma and months after Harvey, many golf courses are back in the swing of things with major tournaments continuing without disruption. Others are still doing the work required to get to greener pastures. One tournament moved from one hurricane-devastated area to another-- one which was just a few weeks further in their recovery process.
An interesting swap occurred where one Hurricane Harvey recovery came just in time to save a USGA tournament struggling for a home post-Irma.
Quail Creek Country Club was set to host the first major tournament in Collier County-- until Irma caused damage that left the tournament seeking a new site.
The 2017 U.S. Women's Mid-Amateur Championship, Collier County's first USGA event was postponed from it's initial dates this October. Despite hoping to keep the course on site, it was moved to Houston, Texas, not far from another area devastated by Hurricane Harvey just a few weeks prior.
Champions Golf Club in Houston is now set to host the event, Nov. 11 through Nov. 16., at the club's Cypress Creek Course.
“Champions, the site of the 2020 U.S. Women’s Open, has been an incredible friend of the USGA over the years,” said USGA President Diana M. Murphy in a statement on the
USGA event website. “And it speaks volumes to the character of the members and leadership for them to offer their course – a three-time USGA championship venue, no less – on such short notice. We are confident this championship will be a success. We will keep all of those who have been impacted by the recent hurricanes in our utmost thoughts.”
Although it could be hard to see a Naples, Fla. course lose the chance to be a host due to hurricane damage, there was a silver lining that the recovery in Houston was bound to come to Naples-- in time.
“Lucky for us, our course has rebounded exceptionally well from the more than 30 inches we sustained last month due to the storm [Harvey], and we feel it is our duty to give back to the golf community and an honor to welcome those who have been adversely affected by another hurricane to our home. We wish our friends in Florida a speedy and successful recovery,”said Robin Burke, vice president of the Champions Golf Club in Houston.
Sources:
Naples Daily News
USGA
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