|
 Dawson, also the chief executive of golf's overseer the Royal and
Ancient, said that while he was impressed with the proposed coastal
layout, progress was worryingly slow.
"We are not satisfied," Dawson told reporters in St Andrews. "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.
"There are no green shoots on the course yet — unless they are
weeds."
Golf will make its first appearance at the Olympics since 1904 after
being voted back in, but the Venue Reserva de Marapendi course has
been snagged with problems.
Work was held up for months by legal wrangling over land ownership
and environmental issues, meaning the original completion date of
2014 now looks unlikely.
As is the case in all Olympic venues, the IOC requires organizers to
carry out test events in the build-up to the Games so that problems
can be ironed out in good time.
However, Rio organizers are running out of time to organize a
tournament on the Gilbert Hanse-designed course.
[to top of second column] |
"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.
"There have been meetings held last week in Rio to revise the plan,
to increase manpower and facilities, designed to bring the project
back on track."
"I wouldn't say I'm disturbed at this point. I'd much rather we were
further ahead. I still think it will be ready in time for the
Olympics," Dawson added.
(Reporting by Martyn Herman; editing by Ossian Shine)
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