Tropical Storm Nicole is expected to make landfall in Florida, threatening the golf industry that was already severely damaged by Ian.

ORLANDO – Tropical Storm Nicole, expected to develop into a hurricane before making landfall Wednesday night in South Florida. It could bring damaging winds and heavy rains along the east coast of the U.S.

According to the National Hurricane Center’s report at 10 a.m., the storm was over the Bahamas Wednesday morning with sustained winds up to 70 mph. The storm was expected to reach the United States somewhere north of West Palm Beach, near Jupiter, a popular golfing destination. The storm is expected to move across Florida towards a region north of Tampa, into the Gulf of Mexico, before turning northeast to Georgia.

As with most tropical storms, the path of the storm is likely to shift slightly. This makes it difficult to know exactly where will be affected. While most attention should be focused on the potential human tolls and general property damage, there will definitely be impacts to the Florida golf industry which already suffered severe hurricane Ian in September.

Ian attacked Fort Myers and Florida’s southern Gulf Coast, before heading northeast. Nicole is planning to travel northwest, crossing Ian’s path south of Orlando. The worst damage to golf courses will likely be near landfall. However, there is a real danger that this week’s storm could cross Ian’s tracks, causing a dangerous “X marks” of possible flooding, tree damage, and temporary closures in central Florida.

There are over 1,200 courses in Florida. With the exception of the Panhandle in the northwest, very few Florida course operators will be spared any kind of damage. This could range from simple sales loss to catastrophic damage. Due to Florida’s large number of courses, more that one-third of all US courses was impacted by Ian.

There are hundreds of Florida golf courses that lie along Nicole’s path. Only one of Golfweek’s Top ranking of top public-access golf courses in Florida could be affected by the storm. This is just among Golfweek’s Best ranking. 8-ranked Champion Course, which hosts the PGA Tour’s Honda Classic every year. Turnberry Isle’s Soffer Course, No. 16) in Aventura; or possibly the waterfront Crandon Park. 19) in Key Biscayne; or The Breakers’ Rees Jones layout. 22) in West Palm Beach.

No. 1 Seminole in Juno Beach; No. 4 John’s Island Club’s West Course at Vero Beach; Indian Creek, Miami Beach; No. 6 The Bear’s Club, Jupiter; 9 McArthur at Hobe Sound; 10 Loblolly, Hobe Sound; Number. 12 Medalist in Hobe Sound; 13 Pine Tree, Boynton Beach; 14 Trump International in West Palm Beach; 16 High Ridge, Lantana; No. 19 Country Club of Florida, Village of Golf. These are only the 20 courses that are among the best in Florida’s private clubs. There are many more private courses close to projected landfall.

The projected route of Nicole crossing the Florida peninsula takes it just past Streamsong Resort , which is home to three highly ranked courses. It is possible that Nicole will be stopped from playing in the LPGA Pelican Women’s Championship, which takes place at the private Pelican golf club in Belleair, near Tampa. Belleair Country Club is just down the street from Pelican. A major restoration is underway to that club’s Donald Ross-designed West Course. Further north, renovations are underway at World Woods, , which was recently rebranded to Cabot Citrus Farms.

Already the storm’s effects were evident with Wednesday morning squalls to the north of Orlando’s projected path. Some courses are still recovering from Ian’s huge rainfall. Some courses in the area are still working to repair damaged bunkers, and they haven’t dried out completely for more than a month since Ian passed south.

Golfers planning to travel to Florida this week should check with their airline to confirm cancellations. Many airports in Florida have either closed or will close Wednesday. There are still potential reopenings. The Orlando International Airport has announced that it will close at 4 pm Wednesday. Several regional airports in Central Florida have also announced closures. The closure of Palm Beach County Airport, South Florida was also announced Wednesday morning. The state is likely to experience other closures or extended delays.

After passing Tampa, Nicole will turn north to continue its approximately 1,000-mile journey. It will travel through central Georgia, passing through Augusta and then on to South Carolina. Then it will cross the Appalachian Mountains, North Carolina, Virginia, Washington DC, and finally New York. This projected path is subject to heavy rains and flooding, which could cause problems and damage to more than 1,000 golf courses.

Even for courses that aren’t severely damaged by floods, many golf layouts that play year-round have already begun winterizing efforts. This includes spreading rye grass to protect against the possibility of being washed away by heavy rains. The results could include the cost of reseeding as well as a decrease in seasonal turf conditioning.

Florida’s flooding and downed trees will cause the greatest damage. Many courses that lie along Nicole’s path are already suffering from saturated ground. This makes it more likely that trees will fall and their root systems are weaker. Many others are still trying to repair bunkers that were damaged by Ian’s worst storms near Fort Myers. There are many courses south of Orlando that still have standing water on fairways.

The majority of course superintendents along this path will spend Wednesday through Thursday preparing their courses for rain and wind. They’ll also move any loose objects and take down signage. There is only so much you can do – it’s impossible for a whole course to be boarded up. It’s always uncomfortable to wait, watch weather reports, and hope for the best in the days leading up to a hurricane or tropical storm.