It was not the best way to start the morning.
When Gordon Manuel, Paddle River Golf course grounds superintendent, arrived for work the morning of July 15, he found out that he would have more work than he originally planned for.
That is because of a freak windstorm that hit the not-for-profit golf course sometime in the late evening on July 14 or in the early morning hours of July 15, breaking off a number of large branches of two trees near Hole 5.
“These are balsam popular,” said Mike Anderson, noting the species is native to the area. “When they developed the course in 1951, they just selectively left some of the trees to form the fairways, so they are huge.”
He added while the size of the trees adds to the distinctiveness of the course, occasionally they pose a challenge to Manuel and the society volunteers that maintain the course.
“Every time we have a windstorm another branch or two come down,” Anderson said.
And although Manuel and Anderson were not aware that there had been a windstorm, it was clear by the damage caused to the trees, a strong wind blew through the area.
Because the damage was so isolated, confined to just two of the courses’ trees, Anderson believes it a mini-whirlwind or twister.
“It must have been pretty strong though because it would have taken some force to twist off the top of the tree like that [noting that it would be difficult for a person to put their arms completely around one of the branches that broke of the tree].
Luckily for golfers, due to the trees’ location, the course’s operation was not impacted.
However, Anderson said that because the course is a not-for-profit and has limited paid staff, it might take them some time to clear the fallen branches up as well as to ensure none of the other branches have been weakened to the point of being a safety hazard, hinting the work would go faster if the society had more volunteers.
Like every other not-for-profit organization, the Paddle River Golf Course has difficulty attracting volunteers, especially those willing or able to do the physical work to maintain the course.
“And those who do and are interested in golf would rather be golfing.” he joked.
