Storm cleanup

Though we are still drier than normal overall, we did receive some rain in the last few days. Unfortunately, one of the storms also came with some intense wind. Cleanup after a storm is always a process and can’t be finished the next day.

We are not far past the anniversary of the derecho that came through the area in 2012. Some of you may remember that storm and the destruction it caused. Luckily, we are nowhere near that messy following the most recent storm, but we still have lots of cleanup to do. There are 3 main aspects that usually require the most attention following a thunderstorm: bunkers, blowing small debris, and tree/limb/stick removal.

The storms are hard on the bunkers for two reasons. First, the heavy rain washes the sand off the edges of the bunker and down into the center. This sand must be shoveled back into its correct location by hand. Second, after the sand moves out of place, the rain then starts to move the underlying soil out of place also. This soil then settles on top of the sand and can lead to contamination. We must scrape the silt off the top of the sand before repairing the bunker. Of course, small debris also collects in the bunkers which must be blown out before raking as well.

The wind that accompanies the storm will strip some leaves off trees and break some small branches out of the tree and blow them across the course. We must use blowers that we can tow behind our maintenance vehicles to blow all this debris off the tees and fairways. We use backpack blowers to clear off the greens and blow out the bunkers. The smallest sticks blow off play surfaces as well, but larger ones need to be moved by hand.

Luckily this large section of tree
fell at just the right angle to miss the
tee sign, bench, and barely graze the trash can. No damage
to any of those items.

Lastly, if the storm is severe enough, we will likely lose a few trees or at least several large limbs as well. These are branches that are too large to blow or move by hand and must be cut before they can be cleaned up. If the trees we lose are too big, or too numerous, we will get help from our tree contractor. So, we spend several days methodically working around the course cutting the larger pieces and picking up the smaller sticks by hand.

The important part to keep in mind is that through all this cleanup, most of our other maintenance tasks continue. We adjust our schedule, especially if the storm came with heavy rain and we can’t mow, and the cleanup does become the highest priority.

We try to get the course back in to playable condition as soon as possible, but it still takes several days. Fortunately, the storm last week was minor, and we should be back in shape in just a few days.

 

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

After filling your divot with sand, either on a tee or fairway, please smooth the sand pile out so our mowers don’t cut through the sand.

Also, as part of a Golf Committee initiative to improve course etiquette, we have included links to videos teaching proper on course etiquette. Please take a moment to watch:

Ball Marks - How to properly repair

Golf Cart tips

 

 

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org