Originally published at: https://discgolf.ultiworld.com/2018/07/20/idlewild-open-play-delayed-due-severe-thunderstorm/
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Severe storms in the Burlington, Kentucky area have caused an extended delay at the Idlewild Open. While the Disc Golf Pro Tour image above, which was posted to social media to announce the delay, reads “Rain Delay” the proceedings were suspended for far more than just rain.
Around 2:45 p.m. players were told to finish the hole they were on and exit the course before winds in excess of 60 miles per hour, rain, hail, and lightning arrived in the area. Earlier in the afternoon, the National Weather Service announced that a Tornado Watch was in effect for Northern Kentucky and the surrounding area and that the watch was in effect until 9:00 p.m. this evening. As the severe storm arrived at the course, the DGPT advertizing trellis was knocked over by the strong winds:
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DGPT trellis collapsed at the 2018 Idlewild Open. Image: UDisc[/caption]
The entire Open Women field completed their first round, with the final card finishing out hoe 18 shortly before the delay. Only one card (four players) from the Open field was able to complete their first round.
Jomez Productions shot a short video and posted it to their Instagram page as they were leaving the course. In the background, you can see both the approaches storm, hear the strong winds, and vehicles quickly exiting the parking area.
This is a developing story and we will be updating this post as new information becomes available.