The snow and wind storm that blew through Carson City on Sunday snapped several massive wooden poles that held up a net designed to keep golfers safe at the Eagle Valley Golf Course, officials said Tuesday.
Eleven poles were destroyed but the $23,000 net installed last year survived. Interim General Manager Mark Sattler said it was too early to estimate how much the damage would cost to repair at the city-owned course.
"(The winds) just snapped those things like they were toothpicks," Sattler said. "We figure it was just some fluke wind that came down, then it was gone. You can't believe the power of Mother Nature."
The National Weather Service in Reno reported 60 mph winds in the storm.
The public course, run by an independent nonprofit corporation, installed the poles and netting in 1995 to protect golfers on the East Course's first tee from stray golf balls hit at the driving range.
A winter storm last year destroyed the original netting. Officials are uncertain when the poles can be replaced and how much it will cost the city. The poles are sunk 7 feet into the ground, Sattler said.
The course is not open to golfers because of snow but will reopen when the snow melts, said course spokeswoman Jean Bondiett.
"It's not going to impact play," Bondiett said. Golfers at the driving range may have to use wedges up to 7-iron clubs until the structure can be reinstalled, she said. "They won't be able to get out there with drivers until we can get it replaced."
Contact Jill Lufrano at jlufrano@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.
