What they said: Slugger White

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Oct. 30, 2009

MORE INTERVIEWS: Viking Classic transcript archive

Q. Give us the status, where are we now?

SLUGGER WHITE: We are still in an unplayable situation. Quite honestly the 24 hours of drying helped in spots. But it got worse in spots, in neighborhoods where the drainage all goes downhill. We've kicked around should we shorten the tees up? We'd have to shorten six or seven holes. That compromises everything. One or two holes maybe. One hole, two hole. 10, 11, 13 we can get by there. 16, 17, 18, 6, it's just a mess. It just won't go anywhere. It's unbelievable, you see the same puddles haven't moved, haven't diminished at all. We haven't had rain for 24 hours, 30 hours. I can't think of anything else that works. We had this maybe two years ago.

Q. How many years have you been here? Were you here when Luke Donald won and you had to call if off Sunday?

SLUGGER WHITE: Yes, when things were floating down the lake there. Things were floating down between 9 and 18, sure was. I have been doing this tournament 20 something years.

But as far as unplayable conditions, there are spots that you would have to actually have to go up and the driest place may be in the park bench. It's unbelievable. The ground is at full capacity. It won't go anywhere.

Q. So it's starting to sprinkle, and it's not getting any better with no rain, and now we're getting rain, when will you decide we're going to play 36 or we're just not going to play at all?

SLUGGER WHITE: I think when we see what this brings us, that will be the determining factor.

Q. Will you make an announcement tonight?

SLUGGER WHITE: Probably, but I don't know if I would. I think that's a fair assumption. I think we need to be here tomorrow morning. And that may not be the right thing, but I think we need to do that. I might know in the back of my mind what we're going to do and what we can't do, but I think we owe it to the golf tournament.

It's up to Randy Watkins and Viking. I just told the Golf Channel that we're doing everything to try and play golf. This is important to Viking, to the community, important to Mississippi, and it's important to the players.

Q. You've just so had much rain, it's the drainage?

SLUGGER WHITE: The drainage is a big problem, and I think the membership understands that, and I think this will solidify what they need to do. There is members who haven't played here in two or three months.

Q. They played very few rounds.

SLUGGER WHITE: Because of the wind.

Q. How much precipitation have they gotten the last four to six weeks?

SLUGGER WHITE: I think I'm right when I say 24 to 25 inches of rain in the last 30 to 31 days. They could mow the golf course last Tuesday the first time in like 3 or 4 weeks. And they were lucky at that point in time and then we got more rain.

Q. Joe Ogilvie asked the question, can you push it back to next week?

SLUGGER WHITE: That's something that has to come from regulation.

Q. You got guys that are 125th, 126th, 127th, it's huge. David Duval he is right at 125.

SLUGGER WHITE: Yes.

Q. I don't want to put words in your mouth but it sounds like if we get any more rain, that would be it.

SLUGGER WHITE: A long shot would be a better statement. If we get something measurable out here, if we get an inch of rain out here, I think it would be a long shot to probably play. I will go that far out on the limb.

Q. If something like Joe suggested doesn't go, are you allowed to go until Tuesday?

SLUGGER WHITE: Yes, we could get there.

Q. So if you can not play Saturday and not play Sunday, play Monday and Tuesday 36 holes.

SLUGGER WHITE: I understand that and I can appreciate that. I think that would be considered. I think it would need some consideration, how about that?

Q. If we had an inch or two tonight, do you think you can --

SLUGGER WHITE: Could it be dry if you brought in equipment. We need hovercraft.

Q. The National Guard is here, they have helicopters.

SLUGGER WHITE: Right. It's a tough situation for Randy and Viking. They put their heart and soul in it. I love the people. I love coming here. They've done such a wonderful job, and my heart goes out to them. It's Mother Nature, there is nothing we can do about her.

Q. Is there an actual TOUR rule that says you can't go past a certain date?

SLUGGER WHITE: Tuesday. Because of the extraordinary time of the year, we are literally counting every minute.

Q. And all of the qualifying schools?

SLUGGER WHITE: And all of the qualifying schools.

Q. Has it been discussed to maybe go into Wednesday?

SLUGGER WHITE: I haven't talked about it. We want to see golf too. This is a committee decision, I will be the last one they go to. We didn't have one of our staff that thought we could play.

Q. Is another course being talked about?

SLUGGER WHITE: Somebody said that to me, and you can't. The infrastructure is right here. You got roping situations, you got volunteers, you got everything. I just don't see that happening.

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