Volcano stops men, but not women

Spewing ash from the erupting volcano in Iceland has disrupted air travel in Northern Europe for days and that led to postponement of the men's European Challenge Tour event in Morocco. Organizers decided it was just too difficult for players to get there. But a little inconvenience didn't stop the women.

The team event in Spain this week -- the Comunitat Valenciana European Nations Cup at the La Sella Golf Resort -- will apparently go on as planned. "Made it here no problem and it looks like every team is going to make it, but the travel stories are unbelievable," Meg Mallon told GolfDigest.Com by email from Spain. Mallon and her teammate representing the United States, Beth Daniel, both live in Florida and flew to Madrid from Miami. It was those living in Northern Europe who had problems.

Team England -- Karen Stupples and Melissa Reid -- drove to Spain. And Sophie Gustafson and Anna Nordqvist, who are representing Sweden, were also able to fly to Spain from the United States, Nordqvist's father and her coach, however, drove the1,500 miles from Sweden.

"We were lucky coming from Miami straight to Madrid," Mallon said. "A little worried we may have to find a home here though if the big one blows." Airports started to return to normal on Monday, but new eruptions overnight closed more flights Tuesday. The event begins Thursday.

-- Ron Sirak