Pumps are sucking up the water on the golf course, which was designed as a basin, but it won't be fit for playing for weeks.
By MOLLY MOORHEAD
Published June 26, 2003
ZEPHYRHILLS - So far, pumping has filled two ponds. Grassy ditches along Eiland Boulevard were the next target.
City officials continued Wednesday to pump water out of the course at Silver Oaks Golf and Country Club, which has been submerged since last week's deluge.
But public works director Rick Moore said that flooding on the Silver Oaks course is not an indication of drainage gone wrong. It's supposed to happen in heavy rain.
"The golf course is designed to flood," he said. "It is the retention pond."
Instead of building another pond elsewhere in the neighborhood, Silver Oaks' developers designed the golf course to hold water. The development is in a closed basin, so excess water doesn't run off into another source.
"That's how it's designed," Moore said.
This week, the city gained permission to pump into the retention pond at Betmar Acres, a mobile home park across from Silver Oaks. Floodwater filled it by Tuesday afternoon.
Workers then turned to a pond on the par-3 course at Silver Oaks, which didn't flood after the rain. They filled that, too.
The next step, Moore said, is to pump more water into Betmar Acres, then pump it back out and into Zephyr Creek.
Then, he said, the pumps can go back in the sheds.
"Given enough time, (the creek) would be able to handle all the water," he said, adding that once the flooded areas get down to a certain level, the sun will take care of the rest.
Dozens of Silver Oaks residents turned out at the City Council meeting Monday to voice concerns about the flooding, which has not damaged any houses, and find out what the city planned to do about it.
Officials from Zephyrhills, Pasco County and Swiftmud have coordinated to solve the problem.
In the meantime, business is at a standstill inside the clubhouse. Sean Klotz, Silver Oaks' golf pro, said he had to cancel a junior golf camp Wednesday and move two tournaments to other clubs.
Klotz guessed it could be six weeks before the course is fit for play again.
- Molly Moorhead covers news about Zephyrhills. She can be reached at 352 521-5757 or toll-free 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6108, then 29. Her e-mail address is moorhead@sptimes.com
