Rose Creek membership saves member-guest after freak hailstorm

A remarkable volunteer effort by the membership at Rose Creek Golf Club in Oklahoma City allowed the club to begin its member-guest today as scheduled less than 48 hours after a devastating hail storm left every green pock marked with thousands of deep indentations.

The hail, some golf ball size and some larger, covered the course at 6 p.m. Tuesday. More than 200 members met at 8 a.m. Wednesday, divided into two groups and went green by green repairing the hail marks, starting around the perimeter and working their way toward the center. They were followed by members of the maintenance crew who top dressed and rolled each green.

By 1 p.m., the course was playable, according to member relations director Mallory Smith.

“We are very grateful to our membership, it’s just wonderful what they did,” said Smith, who estimated more than a million hail marks were repaired.”

Smith said a member who is in the Oklahoma City Thunder organization offered a free ticket to all who participated. Overall it’s a testament to the culture of the greatly improved club under manager Alex Hammill.

Other courses effected by the storm include Lincoln Park, Trosper Park and Twin Hills Country Club in Oklahoma City.  At Lincoln Park, director of golf Aaron Kristopeit said it was fortunate that the East Course was already being top dressed and that the West Course was able to reopen Wednesday. Repairs will continue through Saturday.

– Ken MacLeod