With preparations for the 2013 US Open now entering their final weeks, host club Merion has invested in additional drainage to help superintendent Matt Shaffer ensure the course's greens remain fast and firm during the championship.

Drainage firm XGD Systems has installed more than 136,000 sq ft of drainage in Merion's greens. “The work XGD did on our greens has had an enormous impact on our drainage,” said Shaffer. “You can get those ripping storms that come through Philadelphia in the early part of the summer, when the temperatures go into the high 80s, and that’s when you tend to lose grass at night. We don’t have to worry about that anymore.”

The host of more USGA championships than any other course in America, Merion Golf Club employed XGD Systems to install drainage on greens, collars, and selected approaches on both the club East and West courses.

“XGD is like having a bit of insurance in your back pocket in case Mother Nature isn’t in your favour,” said XGD's Mark Luckhardt. “With our drainage systems installed, Matt Shaffer and his crew should sleep more soundly. If they hear rain pounding outside their windows during tournament week, they know the greens will drain much faster. This will make sure they get the course back into playable condition for the pros and fans alike without any further delays.”