By the time the Colorado wildfire practically arrived at his doorstep, Shea Gunkel already knew the enormity of the moment.
A wicked week of weather and raging fires, ranging from tropical storms in Florida to the blazes in Colorado, has challenged golf course superintendents on multiple fronts.
The top image is from Andy Jorgensen, CGCS, at Top of the World Communities in Ocala, Fla., where sink holes on the golf course created major issues. In the same state, the famed No. 17 island green at TPC Sawgrass became a true island after the course was pounded with more than 14 inches of rain in a 51-hour period.
Gunkel, a nine-year GCSAA member and director of golf course maintenance at Kissing Camels Golf Course at Garden of the Gods Club in Colorado Springs, watched as wildfires (the second image above) came within one-half mile of the 27-hole facility on Tuesday. Today, troubles remain. The property is still in jeopardy as firefighters continue the fight.
Gunkel is putting up his own fight.