PGA's Greenbrier Classic Canceled Due to West Virginia Floods

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, WV — The PGA's Greenbrier Classic, scheduled to be played July 7-10 at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, has been canceled due to the catastrophic flooding in West Virginia, according to Jim Justice, CEO and 0wner of the resort.

"The Greenbrier will recover and get back to providing an unprecedented resort experience as quickly as possible," Justice said in a statement on Friday when he announced the resort was closing until further notice. "Our immediate focus, however, is on doing whatever we can to help the numerous individuals in our community who are hurting so much more than we are. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of them."

The resort is located in Greenbrier County, one of the areas most affected by the flooding. At least 15 flood-related deaths were reported in the county and it was one of three counties for which a Federal Major Disaster Declaration has been requested. A total of 23 flood-related deaths were reported across the state.

In the wake of the flooding, the state is dealing with damaged homes, downed trees and power outages that are still affecting over 30,000 people. Several residents have been displaced and entire roads have been washed away in the historic floods.

• See Also: Death Toll Rises In West Virginia Floods

“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,” PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem said in a statement. “Canceling 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.”

A photo posted by The Greenbrier to Twitter on Friday showed how extensively the resort had been damaged by the floods.

"It's like nothing I've seen," Justice told ESPN prior to the announcement. "But our focus right now isn't on the property, the golf course or anything else. We're praying for the people and doing everything we can to get them the help they need."

Golfer Bubba Watson, who happened to be at The Greenbrier, also shared photos and videos that documented the devastation.

Following the flooding, the resort has been doing its part to help the flood victims by collecting food and cash through its, "Neighbors Loving Neighbors" campaign.

The Greenbrier is a national historic landmark that has been welcoming guests from around the world since 1778, according to The Greenbrier website. The resort boasts its guest list to include 26 of the country's 44 presidents. The Greenbrier Classic, played at the resort's "Old White Tournament Player's Club," made its debut on the PGA tour in 2010. The TPC was built in 1914 and recently celebrated its 100-year anniversary.

This report will be updated.

Image Credit: H. W. McC via Flickr Creative Commons