A series of horrific storms ripped through the South this week, killing five people in Alabama and one in Georgia, knocking out power, destroying homes and downing trees across the region.
Among the wreckage was the top private golf course in Alabama, according to Golfweek’s Best, Shoal Creek, home of the 2018 U.S. Women’s Open, which suffered major damage during the storm.
Shoal Creek opened in 1977 and was designed by Jack Nicklaus. Among the members at the famous club is Condoleezza Rice, the former United States Secretary of State under President George W. Bush, who joinedb back in 2009.
Just southeast of Birmingham, Shoal Creek has a history of top-tier competitions – including the 1984 and 1990 PGA Championships – and ranks No. 82 among all Golfweek’s Best Modern Courses in the U.S. built in or after 1960.
Tornado damage at the Shoal Creek golf course pic.twitter.com/rfSKcHfYC9
— James Spann (@spann) March 26, 2021
According to a story in USA Today, m ore than 20,000 people in Alabama and Georgia remained without power Friday afternoon, according to the utility tracker, PowerOutage.us. Power was also knocked out to over 180,000 customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York due to strong winds Friday.
The damage to the course, as seen in this video:
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey issued an emergency declaration for 46 counties as the severe weather approached, and officials opened shelters in and around Birmingham. She also issued a statement via Twitter late Thursday following reports of residents killed in the storms.
“Significant and dangerous weather continues to impact portions of Alabama, and I urge all folks in the path of these tornadoes and storm systems to remain on high alert,” Ivey said in a prepared statement. “Tragically, we are receiving reports of loss of life. I offer my sincerest prayers to all impacted. Unfortunately, the day is not over yet. Y’all, please stay safe and vigilant!”
In the 2018 U.S. Women’s Open, Ariya Jutanugarn took the title in a playoff over Kim Hyo-joo, needing a fourth extra hole to secure the victory.