Kenmure Country
Club
Flood Recovery
Report
November 14, 2024
Background: On Friday, September 27th, a historic
flood impacted the Kenmure Country Club golf course, causing extensive damage
across multiple areas. The course partially reopened on October 8th, and by
October 11th, it was fully accessible, though temporary greens were in place on
holes four and seventeen. The recovery efforts involved a series of structured
actions and adaptations as conditions allowed.
Initial Assessment
and Immediate Response
First Survey - September 28th:
- Upon
arrival, silt contamination from Kings Creek was evident, especially in
areas like the fourth approach, creating a large, impacted zone.
- Significant
damage was observed at the culvert on hole ten, where erosion created a
forty-foot-wide chasm. Further inspections revealed compromised culverts
on seventeen, where creek water had diverted across the cart path, and
severe silt accumulation covered parts of the seventeenth green.
- Additional
silt contamination was noted on the fairways and approaches for holes
four, six, and seven, alongside damage to the cart path near the creek on
seven and over thirty downed trees blocking key pathways.
Priorities and Planning:
- The
immediate priority became clearing silt off the greens to prevent turf
death, focusing on the seventeenth green as an initial target.
- With
significant obstacles, a multifaceted approach was established to
systematically clear routes, remove tree debris, and restore
accessibility, allowing regular maintenance to continue in unaffected
areas of the course.
Week One – Two:
Beginning Cleanup and Stabilizing Operations
Debris Clearing and Path Access:
- Initial
tasks involved small-scale silt removal on cart paths to maintain course
access and prevent mud buildup.
- Additional
club employees assisted with minor brush and debris cleanup, creating
manageable work zones.
- By the
end of the first week, the primary focus was tree removal, with debris
like limbs and brush stacked visibly at the lower parking lot and
maintenance area, providing morale-boosting, visible progress.
Week Three – Four:
Intensive Tree Removal and Access Restoration
Tree and Debris Clearing:
- With
accessible routes established, focus shifted to removing larger tree
debris and stumps, completed by a dedicated outside crew. This milestone
marked a turning point, visibly restoring a sense of normalcy and
reinforcing the team’s progress for both members and staff.
Silt Removal and Irrigation Challenges:
- Concurrent
with tree clearing, silt removal continued in impacted areas, including
the seventeenth green surrounds and fairways on four, six, and seven.
- Manual
irrigation became necessary due to flood-damaged control boxes on holes
seventeen and four, limiting water distribution to these zones until
repairs could be scheduled.
Week Five – Six:
Large-Scale Silt Removal and Hydroseeding
Restoration of Fairways and Approaches:
- Specialized
crews managed extensive silt removal and reshaping, particularly around
seventeen and four. This preparation facilitated reseeding efforts in
these critical zones.
- A skid
steer enabled the creation of a central silt disposal site between holes
four and seven.
Seeding and Favorable Conditions:
- Hydroseeding
began, with bentgrass seeded in fairways and tall fescue in rough areas.
Ideal weather conditions—warm days and nights, followed by steady, light
rainfall—supported successful germination across these areas.
Irrigation Repairs
and Continued Progress
Irrigation and Watering Adjustments:
- The
irrigation system suffered damage, with flooded pump stations and damaged
control boxes. Initial manual watering filled the gap until repairs could
proceed.
- A
diver inspected the intake in the irrigation pond, while a repair team
restored the pump station, returning critical functionality.
Further Seeding and Turf Health:
- Despite
irrigation limitations, consistent rainfall supported germination in
reseeded areas. Repairs to control boxes on seventeen and four, expected
shortly, will restore automated watering and ease maintenance demands.
Current and
Upcoming Infrastructure Projects
- Cart
Path and Culvert Repairs:
- Hole
7 Cart Path: Repair and repaving of the path is a major upcoming
project.
- Hole
10 Culvert: A new culvert will replace the previous structure,
scheduled to start in a few weeks. This aims to reestablish normal
traffic flow across the course by the new year.
- Hole
17 Cart Path and Creek Bank: Stabilization work is planned for the
creek bank near the cart path, along with cart path repairs.
- Hole
12 Underground Culvert: Repairs are needed to prevent ongoing traffic
diversions near this path.
- Irrigation
Pond Spillway:
- The
spillway sustained major damage, with a significant wall section
currently being reconstructed. Concrete pouring is scheduled to complete
this critical structure, addressing water flow and structural integrity.
Conclusion
While not committing to a specific completion date, recovery
efforts have made substantial strides toward restoring Kenmure Country Club to
its pre-flood condition. The collaboration between regular staff, outside
crews, and supportive partners has been crucial, allowing significant progress
in the face of complex challenges. Work on infrastructure, turf recovery, and
irrigation continues, with key goals set to enhance both the immediate and
long-term resilience of the course.
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