By Paul Willms
In an extraordinary meteorological event that left residents rubbing their eyes in disbelief, the Burnt Pines Golf Course transformed into a winter wonderland as over five inches of snow blanketed its pristine greens. The unprecedented weather event turned the Emerald Coast destination into a temporary winter retreat, complete with an unlikely visitor: a snowman named Bogey Frost holding court on the 16th hole.
“In all my years since moving from Rochester to Florida in 2001, I’ve seen a few flakes in the air but nothing like this,” says Golf Course Director Liam Branagan, who has overseen operations at Burnt Pines since 2019. “Building a snowman on a Florida golf green? That’s definitely a first for my career.”
Course General Manager Kristin Ercoli temporarily closed the facility. “We’re a bit out of our element here,” Ercoli admits with a laugh. “Snow removal isn’t exactly in our standard operating procedures.”
The unexpected snowfall sparked impromptu celebrations throughout the community, as local families descended upon the course’s gentle slopes with boogie boards in hand, repurposing beach equipment for winter entertainment. Children, many experiencing snow for the first time, delighted in rolling snowballs across the normally manicured fairways.
This rare meteorological event has created more than just operational challenges – it’s crafted lasting memories for the Emerald Coast community, proving that sometimes the most extraordinary moments come when Mother Nature decides to break with tradition.
Author: Sowal Editor
Views: 1
