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RIO DE JANEIRO -- Rio de Janeiros Olympic golf course took three years to build as the project was slowed down by environmental lawsuits, Brazilian bureaucracy and stop-and-start funding by a billionaire real estate developer.Four months after golfs surprising popularity at the Olympics, an even larger test remains: What to do with an acclaimed course in a country where few play the game, and in a city that cant pay to maintain it.You know that its not going to be easy, Paulo Pacheco, head of the Brazilian Golf Confederation, told The Associated Press. Its challenging. Its not easy to do. Its very hard. I think its the only opportunity we have to improve golf in Brazil.Everything feels unfinished around the course, except the course itself, which threatens to become a white elephant.Billed as the first public championship-level course in the country, the layout is hidden behind several luxury apartment towers known as Riserva Golf, which wont be completed until 2018. Cinderblock walls and fencing obstruct the view from the street, and no signs mark the entrance to the course in the western Rio suburb of Barra da Tijuca.Once through the rutted parking lot and inside the clubhouse, theres no pro shop, few furnishings, no local club professional and no restaurant.And few players.Only four middle-age men were on the course one morning this week, though the early rain showers didnt help. Even in good weather, attendance has been sparse in a city of 6 million that has only 1,500 golfers.Brazil has about 20,000 players. compared to 25 million in the United States, and the game is played almost exclusively by the wealthy.Another problem: Who will pay to keep the course running? Out-going Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes says the city cant pay. He has said repeatedly he would not have pushed to build the course were in not for the Olympics.Its not a popular sport in Brazil, Paes said last year. But there are some things you need to do when you deliver the Olympics.Last week, a state court froze Paes assets as a public prosecutor investigates whether he improperly waived an environmental tax for the course builder. The builders assets were also frozen.The state of Rio de Janeiro has declared a financial calamity and is several months behind in paying teachers and public employees. And the country itself is in the deepest recession in decades, with unemployment at 12 percent.Pacheco, who has been managing the course, was vague in explaining how it will stay afloat. He said he would be leaving the job in a few weeks, and that negotiations were taking place with a new management company that could take over Jan. 1. But nothings been signed with just two weeks to go.Pacheco said employees of the present management company were being partially paid and were still working as both sides work out a pay settlement. Some employees complained several weeks ago about not being paid.Neil Cleverly, the Briton who helped build the layout and had been managing maintenance, is no longer working at the course since his visa expired. Pacheco said it would be six months before the course was fully operating, and estimated the cost to maintain the layout at between $75,000-100,000 monthly.World golf officials are concerned.As has been the case since the very beginning of this project, getting an accurate picture of the current situation on the ground, and the best parties responsible for the short- and long-term success of the Olympic Golf Course, has been difficult, said Ty Votaw, vice president of the International Golf Federation.Pacheco acknowledged that local golf officials have been slow in getting organized. He said a new website and Rio tourist agencies would soon be promoting the course, which will charge $80 green fees after Jan. 1 for Brazilians and foreigners.The IGF is worried, he said. Its the legacy you have to give back to the Olympics.In a deal with the city, billionaire developer Pasquale Mauro spent about $20 million to build the course in exchange for permission to construct multi-million-dollar apartments on some of Rios most desirable real estate.Its not just any course. From a wetland area -- formerly part of a nature reserve -- American golf architect Gil Hanse carved out a links-style layout with undulating fairways that bump up against scrubland brimming with wildflowers.Local animal life includes small alligators, nesting owls, and a large rodent called a capybara that leaves tracks through the courses abundant bunkers.Players raved about the course during the Olympics.Gil did a good job taking nothing and turning it into a great golf course without having time to make any changes or adjustments, American Rickie Fowler said. Theres a lot of fun characteristics.Marcos Dias, one for four players alone on the course one day this week, said it could be a milestone in developing young Brazilian talent.There was no place to practice. Now I have everything to improve my game, Dias said. In the United States you have a real good scenario to develop your game. Its like here with soccer. Wherever you go here you find a soccer field. But for golf, its really rare to have a course like this to play.---AP Golf Writer Doug Ferguson, and AP video journalist Renata Brito contributed to this report.---Stephen Wade on Twitter: http://twitter.com/StephenWade . His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/stephen-wadeAir Force 1 2020 . Jordan Lynch, the all-purpose Heisman Trophy finalist from Northern Illinois, failed to make it into that exclusive club. Air Force 1 Clearance . Supported by three-run homers from Jayson Werth and Wilson Ramos, the young right-hander went seven strong innings in the Washington Nationals 8-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night. https://www.cheapairforce1outlet.com/air-force-1-blue-outlet/ . PETERSBURG, Fla. Air Force 1 Online . LOUIS -- The New Orleans Saints looked like a team playing out the string. Air Force 1 Mid Outlet . This should be celebrated because it will not always be this way. With the amount of money given to players by their clubs these days, it is a wonder that so many of those teams allow the sport to continue to take away many of their assets so they can play for a different team in the middle of their season.MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- The Miami Dolphins are bracing for the worst with starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who injured his left knee in Sundays 26-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.Tannehill was hit low late in the third quarter by Cardinals defensive tackle Calais Campbell and was knocked out of the game.Backup quarterback Matt Moore replaced Tannehill and threw for 47 yards and produced the game-winning drive that resulted in the final field goal.Several people in the Dolphins organization, including Moore and head coach Adam Gase, embraced Tannehill in the locker room after the game. Tannehill did not address the media Sunday and exited Hard Rock Stadium on crutches.Gase confirmed the team is concerned that Tannehill tore his left ACL.We dont have it officially yet, but it doesnt look good, Gase said.The feeling in the locker room is the offense will be turned over to Moore down the stretch as the Dolphins (8-5) try to complete their push for the playoffs.dddddddddddd. Moore was one of several players offering Tannehill words of encouragement.I told him I loved him and, you know, regardless of what his situation is, this team needs you, Moore said of his conversation. He agreed and said, Im there. Lets go win one game at a time. I know he was shaken up.Before the injury, Tannehill was one of the NFLs most durable quarterbacks. He hasnt missed a start in five seasons. Tannehill threw for three touchdowns against the Cardinals before getting hurt.Moore helped Miami finish the game and complete the win over the Cardinals to stay in the playoff chase. Hes thrown just 16 passes in the past four seasons.The Dolphins will travel to play the New York Jets next week. ' ' '