The Greenbrier Classic canceled after floods at W. Va. resort

The PGA Tour and The Greenbrier resort announced Saturday that flooding and mudslides in southeastern West Virginia have forced the cancellation of The Greenbrier Classic.

Torrential rains fell in Greenbrier County midweek, leading to flooding that has so far killed 26 people in the region. The flooding spread over the resort’s golf courses, including the Old White TPC, which plays host to the PGA Tour event. With less than two weeks until the tournament is set to start, there was no choice but to postpone the event.

“We are heartbroken by the devastation that the residents of West Virginia are experiencing at this time and the reports of lives lost due to the terrible flooding,” said PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem in a statement.

“Cancelling The Greenbrier Classic is certainly the most prudent course of action as our foremost concern is the well-being of those who are having to live through this tragic situation. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.”

Greenbrier owner Jim Justice, who is also the Democratic candidate for governor in West Virginia, founded the tournament in 2010 after purchasing the resort the year prior.

“All of our focus needs to be on helping all of the people of our great State,” said Justice. “So many have lost loved ones, their homes, and have no place to go.”

The resort and the tour have an agreement to continue the event until 2021. The PGA Tour will not schedule a make-up date for the event for this season, opting to return on the 2016-17 schedule.

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