The Benefits

Last week's storm is being touted as a 500 to 1,000 year storm for the Front Range. Most areas around the state are just beginning to realize the extent of the damage as waters begin to recede. I have heard golf courses received up to 17 inches of rainfall. Pinehurst received only 3 inches, which is still a lot of water, but the slow steady rainfall here has benefits.



Flooding on 5 fairway for a day was the extent of the water at Pinehurst.



I am happy to say, there is no damage. In fact, we continue to count the positives and our blessings around here from the storm. The golf course was not played for one week. Recovery has been fantastic, no cart traffic, divots, ballmarks, etc. It has been a nice respite. The greens were aerified as the rains began which allowed areas to drain slightly better. Temperatures have been cooler which prevents the threat of disease activity with so much moisture in the soil. The biggest plus of the storm is that the soils were flushed. Flushing, washes the soils and cleans them of impurities, such as salts and sodium, which can build in the soil and become a detriment to turf health.



This was the scene at The Broadlands in Westminster as they saw widespread flooding through the property.

Another advantage to having the golf course closed for a week, was that we fast tracked our aerification process. Greens, tees and approaches are completed on the Maxwell and the Pfluger is finishing tee aerification this week. We will jump right into fairway aerification beginning Monday and will pick off a hole or two each day through the month of September. This weather is perfect for recovery and enter the winter months with healthy plants. Check in with the golf shop to learn which holes are being aerified on a daily basis.


This photo was floating around Facebook. It was taken as someone was flying into DIA.

As you can see, powerful storms crashed down. There are many courses in the area that continue to flood and some golf courses have been washed away. Our thoughts and prayers to all of those affected by these events.