UPDATE: Authorities Say High Winds Damaged Willow Creek Golf Course in West Des Moines

Joe Shafer was grateful a golf pro's "worst nightmare" didn't materialize about 5 o'clock Monday afternoon when what weather experts believe was a microburst hit Willow Creek Golf Course.

"I've been here when a funnel cloud came down and we've had 100 people on the course. That's your worst nightmare."

Shafer, Willow Creek's golf pro, said the 36-hole course had been packed with golfers earlier in the day during what has been the longest extended season for golfing in Shafer's memory. But thunderstorms moved in about 3:30, and the golfers scattered.

"I've been here when a funnel cloud came down and we've had 100 people on the course," Shafer said as he and the rest of the grounds crew picked up debris Tuesday afternoon. "That's your worst nightmare."

Most Damage Won't Affect Golfers

Cleanup will likely continue for two days.

Shafer said the damage was concentrated to an area about a half-mile long and 500-feet wide. He estimated that 30 trees were uprooted, a scoreboard was knocked down and some structures sustained roof damage. The clubhouse was not damaged.

Most of the damage was in areas that don't affect golfers, Shafer said. However, the greens staff will make sure all obstacles are removed before the course is reopened, probably by midweek.

KCCI reported earlier today that dozens of trees at the golf coure, located 140 Army Post Road, were blown down. The strong winds uprooted and knocked over trees across the course, the station's website said.

Staff members were inside the clubhouse when it happened. No one was hurt, authorities said.

KCCI's story explains a microburst as a column of sinking air that suddenly drops out of the clouds and produces high winds in all directions. They usually last only for a couple seconds, but produce damage similar to a severe thunderstorm.

Check with Patch later today for an update.

Johnston Patch Editor Ashlee Kieler experienced firsthand the destruction a microburst can cause several years ago. Find her memories of the storm here.