By Ronnie Miles | NGCOA Advocacy
Recent winter weather events across parts of the country have highlighted an important reminder for golf course owners and operators: disaster recovery planning is not just about responding to a single storm. It is about understanding the tools available when unexpected disruptions occur and knowing where hidden risks may surface long after the weather clears.
Many courses impacted by recent ice storms have discovered a hard truth about insurance coverage. While most policies cover direct physical damage to real property, such as buildings, putting greens, bunkers, or cart paths, damage to turf, trees, and general course conditions is often excluded. When coverage falls short, recovery costs can quickly strain operating and capital reserves.
For businesses facing this type of financial disruption, traditional bank financing is often difficult to secure, especially following a declared disaster. One option every course owner should understand, regardless of whether they were affected by a specific storm, is the disaster lending programs offered by the Small Business Administration.
The SBA administers disaster relief loans designed to help small businesses recover from events that significantly disrupt normal operations. A key program for golf facilities is the Economic Injury Disaster Loan, or EIDL. These loans can provide up to $2 million in working capital, carry a fixed interest rate of approximately 4 percent, and include a 12-month deferment before the first payment is due. EIDL funding is intended to cover ordinary and necessary expenses the business would have been able to manage had the disaster not occurred, even if there was no physical property damage. Loan amounts are based on documented financial impact and business need.
For courses that do experience significant physical damage, the SBA also offers a Physical Damage Loan. This program is designed to help repair or replace real property and equipment not fully covered by insurance. Both SBA disaster loan programs require applicants to demonstrate that they were unable to secure financing through conventional lending sources.
Beyond financial recovery, winter weather can create operational risks that emerge weeks later. The United States Golf Association recommends that courses experiencing extended periods of ice or heavy snow closely monitor putting greens after thawing occurs. Prolonged snow and ice cover can create conditions favorable for turf diseases, particularly snow mold and other fungal infections that may not be immediately visible.
Early detection is critical. Course managers should watch for discoloration, thinning turf, or patchy areas as temperatures rise and moisture remains trapped in the turf canopy. Left untreated, these conditions can lead to significant turf loss and expensive restoration efforts.
Insurance coverage for turf damage caused by disease varies widely. Some policies with tee-to-green coverage may include limited protection for turf replacement resulting from fungi or disease linked to weather events. However, many policies explicitly exclude this type of damage. Owners are strongly encouraged to review their coverage carefully and speak directly with their insurance provider to understand what is, and is not, covered before damage occurs.
Disasters take many forms, from ice storms to prolonged snow cover to events that disrupt business operations without leaving visible damage. Understanding financial relief options and post-event agronomic risks now can help course owners respond faster and recover more effectively when the unexpected happens.
If you have any questions, you can contact me at rmiles@ngcoa.org for assistance.
