In a Facebook post, Tokatee Golf Club in McKenzie Bridge, Ore. superimposed “Thankful” over a photo of its picturesque course while announcing that it would remain closed until staff could safely return. The Holiday Farm Fire was burning very close to the Tokatee property, and the club rented a generator to keep its irrigation system running if needed.
Club and golf course properties located near the wildfires raging through the western U.S. have been closing for safety and hoping for the best.
As of September 10th, the picturesque Tokatee Golf Club in McKenzie Bridge, Ore. had so far been spared by the catastrophic Holiday Farm Fire, but a club official told The Register-Guard of Eugene, Ore. that there was no cause for relief yet and the club was keeping a wary eye out after closing, to wait until a safe return could be made.
“As of today, Tokatee Golf Club has not been damaged by the Holiday Farm Fire,” Operations Manager Mark Giustina said on the 10th. “However, the fire is still burning very close to our property. The wind is expected to shift tomorrow and blow out of the west, causing the fire to burn back towards our course. This could be very problematic for our facility.”
Tokatee had been able to rent a generator to keep its irrigation system running, Giustana told The Register-Guard, in an attempt to protect the club should the fire move closer to the facility.
Golf enthusiasts were heartened on September 9th when the golf club posted a message and picture on Facebook of the course with the word “Thankful” in white letters superimposed on the photo, The Register-Guard reported..
“Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers,” the Facebook statement read. “All Tokatee Staff & Crew evacuated safely and are accounted for. As of this morning, the course and our structures have NOT been lost. We will remain closed until we can safely return. We will continue to update you as we learn more. Please stay safe! Thank you!”
No further updates had been posted after the weekend ended.
Tokatee is known for its native ponds and streams in a forest setting, as well as its views of the Three Sisters mountains, The Register-Guard reported. It has been ranked among the top public courses in Oregon and the U.S. by golf publications.
“More fire resources will be fighting this fire in the coming days,” Giustina said, “and we are hopeful the course will avoid any significant damage.”
C+RB reported on damage to several Northern California club properties from wildfires in 2017, most notably Fountaingrove Golf & Athletic Club in Santa Rosa, Calif, which had its clubhouse and course maintenance facility destroyed (https://clubandresortbusiness.com/northern-california-golf-clubs-reopen-wildfires/). The club has since reopened as The Fountaingrove Club and recently broke ground on its new $16.5 million clubhouse (https://clubandresortbusiness.com/the-fountaingrove-club-breaks-ground-on-new-16-5m-clubhouse/).
Tell Us What You Think!
You must be logged in to post a comment.