Keeping Your Cool At The PGA

The extreme heat is taking a toll on PGA fans. EMSA has treated dozens of fans for heat related symptoms since the practice rounds started Monday. Paramedics treated slightly less people Tuesday, but

Tuesday, August 7th 2007, 9:00 pm

By: News On 6

The extreme heat is taking a toll on PGA fans. EMSA has treated dozens of fans for heat related symptoms since the practice rounds started Monday. Paramedics treated slightly less people Tuesday, but they do expect that number to rise as more fans show up Thursday through Sunday and the tournament gets underway. The News On 6â€™s Chris Wright reports on keeping your cool at the golf course.

The sweltering temperatures meant little relief for fans on day two of the PGA.

"It's hot, but if you get in the shade there's been a breeze, so that's been okay," said golf fan Sarah Barker.

EMSA was slightly less busy on Tuesday, 15 people were treated by EMSA, 11 for heat related illnesses thatâ€™s down from 18 people on Monday. But EMSA says don't expect that dip to last. When the tournament begins on Thursday there will be thousands more fans, which of course means it's more likely that more people will become dehydrated.

"Temperatures are projected to go up, more people involved here, so unfortunately I'm afraid we're gonna be busy," said Dan Oller with EMSA.

Officials again are urging everyone to be familiar with the symptoms of heat related illnesses. Those include muscle cramps, heavy perspiration, headache, nausea and fatigue. But it's not the locals that first responders are worried about.

"We have a lot of people apparently from Europe, people not from Oklahoma," Oller said. "Oklahomans are fairly used to this kind of heat and humidity. Other people aren't, so it's going to take some getting used to."

Tuesday's heat didn't leave everyone miserable though, those running the concession stand say despite the inflated prices business is booming.

"They're buying a lot of water even though they think it's expensive," vendor Kathy Hahn said. "They're buying it anyway, and a lot of Gatorade."

Fans say they're not going to let the heat prevent them from enjoying the tournament.

"Oh my gosh, yeah, I'm coming back out. It's going to be fun," Barker said.

Southern Hills has already hosted three of the five hottest championships in the history of the PGA. And certainly the way things are going, this could be the fourth.

For more information on heat related illnesses, including symptoms and treatment, click here.

For more on the 89th PGA Championship, click here.

Watch the video: Keeping Cool On The Course