Florida’s Golf Scene Recovering Post-Hurricane Milton

Florida’s Golf Scene Recovering Post-Hurricane Milton

Orlando, Florida – Last Wednesday and Thursday, Hurricane Milton swept across the beautiful Florida Peninsula, leaving many golf courses battling the aftermath of the storm. While some courses have already bounced back and reopened for eager players, others are still dealing with lingering water issues and extensive cleanup.

As of now, over 400,000 Floridians find themselves grappling with the aftermath, still without power. In the hardest-hit areas, food and water supplies are running low, and long lines snake around gas stations as people scramble to refuel. Fortunately, lots of electric crews are working tirelessly to restore power, aiming to bring back electricity to homes, refrigerators, and air conditioning units. Amid this chaos, it might feel a bit strange to focus on golf, but let’s remember, in Florida, golf isn’t just a pastime; it’s a major economic player.

The National Golf Foundation notes that Florida is home to over 1,200 golf courses, which collectively entertain nearly 1.6 million players and generate a staggering economic impact of $8.2 billion in 2022. With more than 132,000 jobs closely tied to the golf industry, the recovery of these golf courses is critical as the Sunshine State begins to pick itself up post-storm.

Unlike Hurricane Milton’s powerful winds which many courses could withstand, the real trouble came from the sheer amount of rain. In fact, some areas saw nearly two feet of rainfall overnight! Even days later, several courses remain underwater, and for these low-lying areas, it could take weeks for the waters to recede. This is especially concerning since Milton struck just two weeks after Hurricane Helene, which had already drenched the western coast of Florida.

As a firsthand example of the damage, take a look at Forest Lake Golf Club in Ocoee. This writer had the chance to swing by on Sunday for a round. The course has been creatively modified due to the standing water, with operators designing a new temporary layout. They’re switching around a couple of holes, turning a par 4 and a par 5 into par 3s to dodge the soaked areas. One par 3 is completely off-limits as the water surrounds the green, looking more like a moat than a course hazard. It’s a reminder that many players might face similar conditions in the coming weeks as grounds crews scramble to get everything sorted out.

Now, how are the various courses along Milton’s path faring? Some have reopened quickly with little to no effects from the storm, while others still await clear skies. Take Streamsong Resort, which features three highly-rated courses. Despite some scary forecasts, it saw no major damage and is set to reopen after restoring power. On the other hand, Bay Hill Club and Lodge, famous for hosting the annual Arnold Palmer Invitational, is still closed and needing time for the waters to get back to normal.

Innisbrook Resort is slowly recovering too, with some courses reopening, but the famed Copperhead Course is still underwater. Conversely, Southern Dunes Golf Club managed to escape with minimal damage and reopened shortly after the storm.

At PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, it looks like they got lucky too—two out of three courses are now open, though players are urged to mind the cart-path-only areas as the courses still dry out. Further, Orange County National has resumed operations for both its top courses, and the huge driving range saw plenty of action following the hurricane.

While some courses like Celebration Golf Club are still working hard to drain water, others around the Tampa area have begun the reopening process and are giving hope to local golfers. Fingers crossed that those still closed will follow suit soon, allowing residents and visitors alike to swing once again on their beloved links!

So, as we await sunny days ahead, it’s clear that while the storm may have disrupted play, Florida’s golf courses are resilient. They’ll bounce back just like the state is determined to recover, ensuring that golf stays fresh and thriving in the Sunshine State!