Looks like we are going to have a winter!

 

It has been a while since we have seen snow, especially snow combined with low temperatures. Originally the forecast was only for a week of brutally cold weather but the Polar Vortex dropped down further and we may be stuck in the snow for a few weeks here. With more snow on the way Friday night we would have to get very lucky to be able to play golf next weekend. And then there is more snow forecasted for the 21st! 

It is pretty out there though. Here are some pictures and videos from the sunrise on Tuesday. 

Our loblolly pines and certainly any white pines are not really built for snow and ice however. 100's of branches have snapped off and dropped down this week providing plenty of cleanup work in the cold. 

One benefit of the snow is the Blue Heron being confused on where to go to the bathroom since his greens are covered up.

The snow does give us a beneficial blanket to protect against the single digit night time temps. Soil temperatures early in the week were still barely above freezing. Shaded areas become more of a concern with prolonged single digit temps as we move through January here.

With the snow blocking play it gives us a nice opportunity to get the bunker rakes inside and refurbished a bit. With over 300 rakes on site they tend to get beat up through the season so we are going through and checking for dinged up handles and worn out teeth. 

We have also pulled the tee markers in off the Manakin and started sanding them down to be ready for paint next week.

Dunstano and Carlos have plenty of things working in their shop getting ready for the next season. We continue to phase out our oldest progator utility vehicles. We have three that have clicked over 5,000 hours or the equivalent of 300,000 miles that are more than ready to be retired!

Enjoy the real winter, it may be here a while!