By now, you've probably heard about the devastating fire a few weeks back that completely destroyed the maintenance facility and all of its contents at FarmLinks, the innovative research and demonstration golf course in Sylacuaga, Ala.
Earlier today, FarmLinks released its first formal communique about the March 9 fire that tore through the 10,000-square-foot facility that housed several offices and a fleet of maintenance equipment, an event that FarmLinks president Eric Fairly described as a "surreal" for the tight knit group of employees that man the facility on Pursell Farms, about an hour southeast of Birmingham, Ala.
Fire officials have not determined an actual cause of the fire yet, but lightning is suspected. A fierce storm hit the area that night, and an on-duty security guard noticed the flames and reported the fire shortly after receiving a message about a power outage at around 4:30 a.m.
"We're still in the process of gathering the facts," Fairly said in a press release. "We're working closely with the fire investigators and with the insurance representatives. But it seems pretty apparent that lightning was a factor."
Although full damages are still being assessed and no exact loss amount has been determined, FarmLinks officials estimate that total losses will come in between two and four million dollars. The maitenance equipment — from Toro mowers, utility vehicles and aerification units to Tru-Turf greens rollers and a Freylit wash station — was a total loss, and nearly 30 years worth of records and notes kept in the farm director's office were consumed by the blaze.
Despite the fire, business has continued as close to normal as possible considering the situation, according to Mark Langner, FarmLinks director of agronomy. The course has received equipment donations and assistance from a whole host of sources — Jerry Pate Turf & Irrigation (a Toro distributor), Birmingham CC, Willow Point G&CC, Limestone Springs GC, among others.
"Our friends, our team and our partners have been very considerate and supportive," Fairly said. "There's been no shortage of help and encouragement from people in our industry, and we're very grateful for that.
"We have suffered a significant loss, but we have also been given a rare opportunity," Fairly continued. "As a ‘living laboratory’ that endeavors to provide solutions-oriented programs, we have gained knowledge and insights over the years from end users, from partners and from industry leaders. And we are now in a unique position to collaborate with these professionals and with new partners to fine tune an environmentally sensitive facility around these experiences and take course maintenance operations to a whole new level.”
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