I really don't want to follow a post about too much growth with a post about too much rain, but that is what we got.  Since last Wednesday, we've picked up 1.24 inches of rain according to the weather station located in the right rough of the 14th hole.  This might not be much rain for some golf courses, but it sure is for us.  Stockton's average rainfall is 13.95 inches so we picked up nearly 9 % of that in 4 days with much more to come.

There isn't anywhere for the rain to go with the ground water pushing closer to the surface.  Reservoirs are releasing at a feverish pace and the deep water channel is as high as I've seen for some time.  When the storm finally breaks, the turf is going to take off with excessive growth.  We will not be able to mow until the surface firms up for the equipment. 

The staff was worried last week that they would not have any work to do and paychecks would suffer.  No need to worry, the wind provided days of work and took care of some trees that were scheduled for removal.  Two trees were lost completely; a eucalyptus near #12 approach and an old, overgrown bush of a tree near the path on #1.  I won't miss either of these.  Multiple redwoods were damaged in the storm with the tops breaking off of a few.  Of course, the entire property is littered with large branches, twigs, and leaves. 



#13 next to maintenance road, making for easy cleanup.

Cleanup of Euc near the 12th approach, the rest will come down soon.



In a storm of this magnitude, at this time of year, everybody suffers together.  The golfers can't play in decent conditions, the golf course takes on more water than it can handle, the trees get smashed, the maintenance staff is wet and cold, and even the poor fox has to leave it's flooded den.  I am really looking forward to summer, aren't you?