U.S. Open Organizer Says No Refunds, No Exchanges After 1st-Round Washout

U.S. Open Says No Refunds, No Exchanges After 1st-Round Washout
By Erik Matuszewski


June 18 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. Open fans who braved the rain to watch Tiger Woods play six holes before first-round play was washed out won’t be able to get a refund or exchange their tickets for another day.

The U.S. Golf Association, which stages the year’s second major championship, said after today’s suspension that it’s adhering to its original inclement weather policy which states daily tickets can’t be refunded or exchanged.

Play was halted today after just over three hours when heavy rain left many greens unplayable at Bethpage State Park’s Black Course in Farmington, New York. No golfer played more than 11 holes and the opening-round was suspended until 7:30 a.m. tomorrow, the first weather delay at the U.S. Open since 2004.

“The decision has been made for Thursday,” USGA spokesman Rand Jerris said in an interview about the ticket policy. “What we’re talking through now are scenarios for the coming days. It obviously doesn’t look good weather-wise. Today we were fortunate, we had more than three hours of play, but what’s the scenario if there’s no play?”

The forecast for tomorrow calls for a 40 percent chance of showers, according to the National Weather Service. ..........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601079&sid=aHile9NCxv.4