Lightning strikes on property

Over the past 3 to 4 days, we have had at least 3 lightning strikes on property. I will display a few pictures of some of the damage but Nash and I felt it would be good to remind our members about the procedures during a halt in play because of too much rain and or lightning.

The pro shop has a paid weather service that provides lightning detection on a radar screen. Once the lighting gets within the 8 mile zone on the radar, a horn is sounded manually by the staff for all golfers including workers to come off of the golf course.  The staff will drive out away from the pro shop to sound the horn again for any golfers that are on the corner of the property. 

Golfers can either go to the Field Bar(Halfway House) or the pro shop for shelter. Once lightning has cleared the area, players will be notified either verbally or through the sound of another horn that play may resume. If you are at the Field Bar, it would probably be wise to go into the structure and not park your cart underneath tall trees and remain in the cart.

All practice must stop as well including both ranges and the putting green.

The top of the 1/2 dead Catalpa tree on the short range took a direct hit yesterday.  This tree is on our Tree Management list for removal this winter. 

You can see pieces of the tree were blown 30 yards away from the tree.

I had left yesterday afternoon and had to make a cat food run to Petsmart.  While doing my shopping, Nash called and said there was a head running between #17/18.  I figured it had to be a lightning strike which cause a sprinkler head wiring to short out and turn on.  I got back to the facility and we got the water off and then found our second lightning strike. 

A beautiful large healthy Red Oak beside 17 cart path took a direct hit.

Here is a closer view of the damage.

I was standing out in the middle of the fairway taking this picture.  You can see a piece of wood to the lower left of the date stamp.  It was probably 40 yards from the tree.

We also believe our clubhouse took a direct hit this week.  Tiles from the roof were blown off onto the patio area.  As some of you are aware, it knocked out a transformer that helped to power the swimming pool pumps.

In the end, lightning is dangerous business.  Please do not put yourself in jeopardy once the horn has sounded to come in.  Mark your spot, pick up your ball and you will have time to resume play once it is safe to do so.  Lightning does not usually give second chances.  Here is a link to a story about a lightning strike at the U.S. Open  in 1991 which killed one person and injured several others.