Long Rumored, To Be Confirmed Monday: Medinah's Turf Struggling

Ed Sherman talks to 2012 Ryder Cup Chairman Don Larson, who says corporate sales are better than expected but there's the course conditioning that will be the focus of Monday's Ryder Cup media day.

"Nobody's satisfied with the condition of the course," Mr. Larson said. "But things are getting much better. We're confident the course will be ready for next year."

A toxic combination of things happened this year, Mr. Larson said. When a 7-inch rain storm flooded the course in July, followed by some intense heat, the fairway grass went into retreat. New turf was installed last year as part of a $3-million renovation.

"We hit the mother lode of bad weather and tough growing conditions," Mr. Larson said. "Those roots only are two years old. They're immature. Cog Hill had trouble last year when (its new grass) only was two years old. Everyone saw how great (the condition) was this year. What a difference a year makes."

Mr. Larson said Kerry Haigh, the PGA of America's pointman for the Ryder Cup, visited Medinah last week and felt conditions were on track.