Explosions, Toxic Cloud Nearly Cancel First Round at Las Vegas
A series of explosions at a space shuttle fuel plant and the toxic cloud that resulted Wednesday had officials of the Las Vegas Invitational pondering the advisability of evacuating the golf courses, but the first round was completed with Bobby Wadkins atop the leader board with an eight-under-par 64.
The explosions at Henderson, Nev., rocked buildings at the Desert Inn, Spanish Trail and Las Vegas Country Club courses, site of the PGA Tour’s richest tournament.
“You could feel the shock waves hitting your chest,” said Curt Byrum, who was playing at the Las Vegas Country Club when the distant explosions shook the steel beams supporting a temporary building housing registration and press facilities.
Southerly winds blew a toxic cloud containing ammonia chloride away from the courses, and play continued without interruption.
Wadkins, a 14-year touring pro who has yet to win in the United States, set the pace with his round at the Desert Inn.
Byrum had a 65 and Bob Lohr a 66 at the Las Vegas Country Club.
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