early disasters at Kiawah

A gas explosion inside the new Ocean Course clubhouse kitchen at Kiawah Island Golf Resort injured four construction workers this past Friday, course officials said.

Two of the workers were taken by helicopter to a hospital burn unit in Augusta, Georgia according to course and hospital officials.

The Ocean Course is readying to host the Senior PGA Championship later this week, arguably the highest-profile event that’s come to Kiawah’s marquee golf course since the infamous “War by the Shore” Ryder Cup in ‘91. Some readers might recall the trauma of that contest, with Mark Calcavecchia shanking his tee shot into the water on 17, blowing a 4-up-with-4-holes-to-go lead to Colin Montgomerie, which left the American in tears on the beach. Shortly thereafter, Bernhard Langer missed a win-or-lose-the-cup 6-footer on the last, giving the American side the victory. A greenside pundit alluded to Hitler as Langer attempted to steady himself over the deciding putt. “The last time a German was under this much pressure, he shot himself in the bunker.”

Let’s hope the injured workers in the clubhouse explosion make a quick and full recovery. And that the pitfalls of the still-ultra-demanding Ocean Course, sure to wreak emotional or psychological havoc with this week’s tournament participants, have no long-term effects. But their tribulations should make for great television viewing, regardless.