AFP: Rio Olympic Course Weeks Removed From Hosting Games & May Be Weeks Away From Going To Seed

We knew given the shady and bizarre ownership that things could go either way for the course. But downhill this quickly?

An AFP report (unbylined Sebastian Smith) says the Olympic golf course in Rio may be just a month or so from losing the ability to maintain fairways and greens.

The existing maintenance company is not getting paid, the clubhouse is unfurnished and all signs point to trouble.

With so few locals playing and no obvious plan for attracting foreigners, funding is already a problem.

Neil Cleverly, the Briton who built the course and now manages the upkeep, says the company he works for, Progolf, has not been paid for two months.

"What happens when we run out of gas or diesel? We've been close," Cleverly said. "None of us know if there'll be a job for us in December."

A source close to the company who asked not to be identified said Progolf has been given no contract by the confederation and, having been forced to foot the $82000 monthly maintenance operation out of its own pocket, is set to pull out.

Maybe "next month," the source said.

If that happens, the confederation would quickly have to find expert replacements before damage set in.

Without maintenance, "the golf course will die," the source said. "It could take four weeks, three weeks."