Ryder Cup to go on amid wind devastation in Kentucky
GOLF
Continuing power outages and other damage from the storm make problems at Valhalla Golf Club look small.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- More than 250,000 people are still without power in some parts of Jefferson County, the National Guard is patrolling some neighborhoods, public schools may be closed for a week and the Ryder Cup is getting underway.
Because of a massive 75-mph windstorm Sunday, this area is a mess, with downed trees and power lines, signal lights out at many intersections and waits for gasoline that have sent many drivers across state lines to Indiana.
Meanwhile, golf's small problems pale on the misery scale, and in Ryder Cup terms, they are only marginally significant.
Scores of trees were toppled at Valhalla Golf Club, site of the matches between the United States and Europe, banners were torn from their poles and portions of tents blown away, but the only real leftover from Sunday's wind was damage at the 12th hole, where a television tower toppled onto the green.
The dents that were dug into the putting surface have probably eliminated certain pin positions at the 464-yard par four with a dogleg right.
While officials cannot say when residents will get their power back, they estimate it could take as long as two weeks.
The Ryder Cup will begin on Friday and run through Sunday. And, for the record, the forecast is for warm weather and sunny skies. Around here, that would be almost as welcome as having electricity.
