Glenda’s wrath felled numerous stately mango trees and obstructed fairways with storm debris.
Maintenance Crews were on stand-by during the height of the typhoon and immediately went into emergency operations after the typhoon passed, to clear the grounds and cart paths and make at least one course playable for our members and their guests the very next day.
Some of our “all-weather” members escaped from the destruction around their habitats and had a bittersweet round of golf, grateful that the course was open for play, but saddened with the sight of decades-old mango trees that lay utterly helpless against the ravages of nature. But The Orchard will prop up and save most of the fallen trees and plant new ones while the remaining few will need to be condemned and disposed of.
In the meantime, The Orchard’s golf office issued a clarification regarding golf balls that end up in the middle of fallen branches, leaves, and tree trunks still remaining adjacent to the fairways and through the green : free drop, no penalty, but not nearer the hole! (Actually, under Rule 25-1 : Abnormal Ground Condition)
However, chain saws may not be substituted for 2 or 3 irons.
