Texas Tech department loses valuable research in storm

 

Texas Tech has seen roofs blown off and power lines taken down by tree limbs after last Wednesday night's devastating storm. 
 

The greenhouse at Texas Tech was one of many victims of the damage. 
 

"The biggest damage we had was the greenhouse structure itself, in terms of close to 300 windows being broken," Greenhouse Manager Jennifer Simek said. "Which, in a glass house with a controlled environment, is pretty serious damage for us."
 

Simek said the department lost almost everything that was planted this year. 
 

"Our facility, and the gardens as well, are used for research for teaching all the different classes at Tech, and they're also used for demonstration," Simek said. "A lot of them are still here. A lot of them have been completely destroyed. We have different zones, we have a small vineyard, and a section with just annual plants you put out, a vegetable garden and a kitchen garden. But inside, there is research and teaching plants as well."
 

 

"Just saw nothing but trees down, damage to my cart barn. Trees, limbs everywhere around the clubhouse, and as the sun came up, everything got a little bit worse."
 

General Manager Jordan Bailey said some trees played a part in the layout of the course, so players can expect a few changes the next time they play a round. 
 

"Like on Hole 12 on the Canyon side, we have one that kind of blocks the left side of the green, and it's no longer there, it's fallen over, derooted," Bailey said. "So, it's going to change the way things play a little bit, but the greens are still in great shape, even with some of the trees falling down on them."
 

Bailey hopes to have some parts of the course open next week. As for Simek, she said the greenhouse is back in operation. They're just waiting on all the windows to be replaced.