The 2011 Cellarbrations Victorian PGA Championship is underway in near perfect conditions, a stark contrast to yesterday.
With all players in position, play was able to resume at 6.30am.
After heavy rain lashed the Sandhurst Club yesterday, tournament officials had little choice but to send players home after the course was no longer playable.
PGA’s Director of Tournaments Andrew Langford-Jones described yesterday decision to suspend play.
“Unfortunately there was no way in the world that we could of got the course back into a playable position because of the bunkering.”
“Every bunker out there was full of water and we couldn’t find anywhere for players to drop at the back of bunkers, and because so many players have played so many holes we cannot change the conditions that we started with.”
“Every shot that was played yesterday morning will be counted.”
At the time of suspension, 9.05am, seven players were tied for the lead at two-under par.
The seven include professionals Peter O’Malley, Kurt Barnes, James Nitties, Tony McNaughton and Michael Faraone and amateurs Todd Sinnott and Tom Power-Horan.
Following the conclusion of Round 1 this afternoon, a cut will be made to the leading 78 players plus ties.
Round 2 will then commence with a two-tee start.
It is hoped that Round 2 will be completed early on Sunday morning by about 10.00am after which another cut to the leading 50 professionals and ties will be made and Round 3 will commence.
With no further delays, it is expected the 54-hole Championship will finish at approximately 4.00pm on Sunday afternoon as originally scheduled.
The PGA and its members are the cornerstone of the sport of golf and the industry. The PGA has played a significant role in the popularity and promotion of the game from televised international events through to the local club or driving range where the PGA members introduce and service the 1.2 million golfers who play the game each year. www.pga.org.au 
