Vandals pour bleach on green at Canadian Open

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Jul. 23, 2011

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) -- A case of vandalism on one of the greens didn't affect play Saturday at the RBC Canadian Open.

Grounds crews discovered bleach had been poured on the grass on the eighth green, a par-3 hole at the Shaughnessy Golf and Country.

"When they found it, they did all they could to wash it out," said Bill Paul, the tournament director. "We are investigating it right now with Vancouver police. That's all there really is."

The damage was discovered at around 6 a.m. when superintendent Rob Barr was inspecting the course. Some brown streaks could be seen on the green, but it didn't affect play in the $5.2 million tournament.

"I'm sure it soaked it but it hasn't affected the play at all," Paul said. "(Barr) got to it on time. There is no doubt some of it got into the roots of the grass."

The eighth hole is a secluded part of the course, near residential homes. That might be one reason why it was targeted.

"I'm going to assume it's access," Paul said. "I don't know why."

Paul called the damage an isolated incident.

"We've had some damage to a green where somebody has driven a stake into it or something like that, but I've never had it where somebody has dumped a chemical on it," he said.

Paul said organizers are considering adding extra security at night.

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