Hurricane season is, thankfully, coming to an end. In light of Charley, Frances, Jeanne, Ivan and glancing blows of Katrina and Rita, I feel somewhat fortunate that Wilma was the only major hurricane to affect a considerable portion of Florida this season. Although it was the only major hurricane this year in our area, its impact on Florida golf courses was significant.
After pounding Cancun, Mexico for several days, Hurricane Wilma headed east and charged through South Florida on October 24th. Most golf courses in the hurricane-affected area were impacted with tree loss, power outage and debris removal. Courses near the direct path of the hurricane experienced major structural damage, severe tree loss, long-term power loss, and flooding.
Some of the trees knocked down were salvageable and have been stood back up. Others were severely damaged and must be hauled away. An initial response from some golfers is that all of the trees should be immediately replaced. Instead, re-evaluate the golf course after a season of recovery and perhaps replace trees that serve a strategic purpose. It is recommended to plant native trees, as they are more acclimated to our climate and require less maintenance. In regard to hurricanes, cypress trees fared the best and palms were a close second. Next, any tree that was aggressively pruned made it through the hurricane well. For a list of native plants in your area, visit Audubon International's Web site at:
http://www.auduboncommunities.org/regional/search/default.htm
It will take time for golf courses impacted by the hurricane to get back to normal. Setting up downed trees and removing dead trees/debris takes time. It also reduces labor from regular golf course maintenance practices, as the staff is responsible for most, if not all, of the cleanup and recovery. As a result, the turf grows longer and a scalped appearance may occur as mowing resumes. Power outage also has impacted turf quality as irrigation systems and mower grinders require electrical power to operate. Fortunately, a cold front swept in immediately following Hurricane Wilma and significantly reduced bermudagrass growth.
If your golf course was damaged by the hurricane, hopefully, only minor damages occurred and a quick recovery follows. Patience is needed from the golfers at this time as the golf course recuperates from the hurricane and tries to prepare for the upcoming golfing season.
Source: Todd Lowe, tlowe@usga.org or 941-828-2625
