Neither Hurricanes, Nor Floods, Nor Tornadoes . . . .

By Chris Hartwiger and Patrick O'Brien, agronomists, Southeast Region
May 23, 2012


Current US Drought conditions as of May 15, 2012. No one can predict how this map will change in a month, but we can provide you with the links to stay up to date.

Many of us have heard the postman’s motto over years:

“Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet, nor hail shall keep the postmen from their appointed rounds.”

Actually, this quote is attributed to the Greek Historian Herodotus in approximately 500 B.C. Our question to you is this, “Where is the superintendent’s motto?” In the Southeast alone, golf course superintendents have dealt with a number of overwhelming weather related blows over the last few years. And guess what? They bring the golf course back time and time again. Perhaps the following might be an unofficial early 21^st century motto for superintendents in the southeast:

“Neither Hurricane Katrina, nor the 2007 drought, nor the Nashville floods, nor the Alabama tornadoes will keep the golf course superintendent from their appointed tasks.”

This brief snapshot of events in the southeast is almost overwhelming in terms of the challenges they brought forth. Will there be more floods, tornadoes, droughts, and hurricanes? Most assuredly the answer is yes. Given the unpredictable nature of the future, we offer links to these public access websites that may assist you in staying up to date.