Imperiled Altadena
In Australia, following his victory, Tristan received a text message from Chris saying what had happened. The next day, Tristan earned his way into the main draw.
Back in Altadena that Tuesday evening, Craig Sloane, the club’s manager, monitored everything closely. He’d shut down the facility hours earlier, amid windstorms that had broken tables on the pool deck. By 4:00 p.m. that afternoon, the power had gone out. At 6:30 p.m., Sloane received an evacuation notice and went west to Pasadena. All night long, he remained in contact with Joe Hernandez, a club member, on the status of the fire.
As the flames raged, Sloane knew that dozens of homes in Altadena, including many owned by club members, were being destroyed. His had survived, perhaps due to its location in a small cul de sac. But what about the club?
Early Wednesday morning, Sloane headed there and saw a small fire in the back. Holding a small hose, his fellow staff member, Michael Meyers, attempted to put it out.
“And then,” said Sloane, “the water pressure disappeared.”
The fire soon made its way to the attic of the clubhouse.
By seven o’clock in the morning, we pretty much knew that we were going to lose the club. Craig Sloane, Altadena Town & Country Club
Sloane has worked at the club for 27 years, the last 20 in the general manager position.
“It’s like losing your home,” he said. “It’s gut-wrenching, heartbreaking, a bit of a shock to see it all go up in flames,” he said.
