Hurricane Milton wreaked havoc on multiple golf courses across the Florida Peninsula last week, leaving some open while others are still dealing with water drainage. Meanwhile, over 400,000 Florida residents remain without power as the state recovers from the storm.
Despite the chaos caused by Hurricane Milton, golf remains a significant industry in Florida, with the National Golf Foundation reporting more than 1,200 courses serving nearly 1.6 million players. The economic impact of golf in Florida was estimated at $8.2 billion in 2022, employing over 132,000 people.
The biggest challenge for most golf courses post-hurricane has been the excessive water. Some areas in Florida received up to two feet of rainfall, leaving several courses submerged. The aftermath of Hurricane Milton follows closely behind Hurricane Helene, which caused extensive flooding and damage throughout the region.
One such example of water damage can be seen at Forest Lake Golf Club near Orlando, where the course remains waterlogged with standing water on several holes. The course operators have adjusted the layout to accommodate the saturated areas, but significant cleanup efforts are still required.
Despite the challenges, many golf courses are working diligently to restore normal playing conditions. Among those that weathered the storm relatively unscathed is Streamsong, home to three highly ranked courses that are set to reopen soon. However, other courses like Bay Hill Club and Lodge are still dealing with flooding and tree damage.
Other notable courses like Innisbrook, Southern Dunes, PGA Golf Club, Orange County National, and Celebration have managed to reopen after the storm, with varying degrees of damage. Private clubs such as Belleair and Pelican Golf Club have also been impacted, with some courses still closed for maintenance.
As Florida continues to recover from Hurricane Milton, golf enthusiasts can expect to see improvements in playing conditions at their favorite courses in the coming days and weeks.
