WORRIES ABOUT SLOW PACE OF CONSTRUCTION

R and A chief Peter Dawson 'not satisfied' with 

 

progress of Rio course for 2016 Olympics

 

FROM GOLF TALK CENTRAL

By WILL GRAY

Construction continues in Rio de Janeiro on the course that will host golf's re-introduction to the Olympics in two years' time. According to Peter Dawson, pictured, however, those behind the bulldozers need to pick up the pace.
In addition to his role as the chief executive of the R and A, Dawson also serves as the president of the International Golf Federation. It was in the latter position that he recently visited the construction site in Brazil, returning unimpressed by its progress.
"We are not satisfied," Dawson told Ireland's RTE. "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."
This is not the first time that the IGF has voiced concern over the progress of construction, which has also at times frustrated the course's designer, Gil Hanse. 
While it remains widely anticipated that the inaugural Latin America Amateur Championship will serve as the venue's "test event" in 2015, Dawson believes that could be in jeopardy.
"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," Dawson said.
 "I'm not writing that off completely, but we have to recognize that might be difficult."
Despite the delays, Dawson reiterated his belief that the course will be ready in time to host the Olympics in August 2016.
"There are other courses in Rio, but there is no Plan B at present because I don't think we'll need one."

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