Another wash-out in Madeira

FOR the second year running, bad weather ruined the Madeira Islands Open. Twelve months ago it was reduced to 36 holes and will be remembered more for the tragic death of a caddy than the golf that was able to be played. This time they managed only 18 holes of a supposed 72-hole event and the European Tour declared it null and void.

Now you can call me old-fashioned if you like, but if you stage a golf tournament in this part of the world in March on a hilly golf course then the chances are pretty good that it is going to be wind-affected. It was in 2014 and precisely the same thing happened again this time. I wonder if anybody will get the hint that the golfing gods are trying to tell them something, namely that Madeira in March is not a suitable venue for a professional 72-hole event.

The opening day was scrubbed because of high winds and the event was immediately reduced to 54 holes, but a combination of further wind and torrential rain meant that only 18 holes could be completed. The tour is now looking for a suitable date later in the season in which to reschedule the tournament but, quite frankly, would anybody miss it if it were not to go ahead? No, I don't think so either.

Prize-money is small, the field is anything but stellar, so let's just give it a miss and see if it can be staged at a time in 2016 when the sun is likely to shine and the wind will not blow players, caddies and spectators off their feet. And, while they are at it, let's see if we can find a sponsor who will increase the prize-money and make the event relevant.

You have to feel sorry for all the players who had to hang around for four days, waiting for the inevitable announcement. When you are not earning a lot of money, the last thing anybody needs is to be sitting about on a rain-lashed island for four or five days, paying hotel bills and caddies' fees. It is time to learn from past mistakes - the European Tour doesn't make many of them, but this has been right up there with the worst of them.