Rare Tropical Storm Causes Flooding and Damage at Coachella Valley Golf Courses
Coachella Valley, known for its sunny weather and iconic music festival, recently experienced an unusual weather event – a tropical storm. This rare occurrence resulted in heavy rainfall, flooding, and debris at several golf courses in the area. Though August might be a less-disruptive time for such a disaster, golf course operators are still facing significant challenges in the aftermath of the storm.
Brett Draper, General Manager and COO of Thunderbird Country Club in Rancho Mirage, commented on the impact of the storm at his club. Despite the damage caused, he emphasized that August is generally a quiet time for golf courses, allowing them to focus on construction work. Consequently, the storm’s impact on play was minimal. However, the damage is visible to anyone driving past the course. Thunderbird is just one among many golf courses in the Coachella Valley affected by the flooding and debris caused by Tropical Storm Hilary.
From downed trees to extensive mud and water damage that will take months to repair, Hilary’s impact was felt throughout the region. Nevertheless, private clubs like Thunderbird managed to escape more severe damage due to August being a quieter month for golfing activities. The warm-season Bermuda grass usually found at desert courses is also more resilient to the weather conditions experienced during this time, making it better equipped to handle the aftermath of the storm.
Cleaning up the courses is the primary concern for golf course operators at the moment. Randy Duncan, General Manager of SilverRock Resort, explained the challenges they face. The resort was fortunate to be closed for maintenance when the storm hit, but their scheduled reopening had to be postponed to allow for extensive cleanup work. Bunkers and cart paths were particularly affected, while rain damage wiped out recent maintenance efforts.
Some golf courses, such as La Quinta Country Club, managed to escape significant damage. While they did experience some uprooted trees and palm fronds due to strong winds, their renovation projects for the upcoming PGA Tour event in January were not disrupted by the tropical storm. The Lights at Indio Golf Course also faced greater structural damage from a thunderstorm than from the tropical storm itself. Thanks to the course’s excellent drainage system, they were able to reopen quickly.
Meanwhile, Sunrise Country Club, located near Thunderbird, experienced minimal damage compared to its neighboring course. A few washouts and minor roof damage were the extent of the impact. Private clubs like these typically have lower activity levels during the hot summer months, which reduced the number of golfers affected by the storm.
In conclusion, while the tropical storm caused significant damage and challenges for golf courses in Coachella Valley, the timing of the event and the resilience of warm-season grasses softened the blow. Golf course operators are now dedicating their efforts to cleaning up the courses and ensuring they are ready for play once again. The aftermath of the storm serves as a reminder of the unique weather events that can occur in unexpected places and the importance of preparation and recovery efforts in maintaining these iconic desert golf courses.
