Rainfall totals in the Great Lakes

For many superintendents in the region, this has been the season of precipitation. Whether it's record-breaking rain on a month-to-month basis or daily record-breaking rainfall rates, areas throughout the region have seen more rain this season than they have in the past. Just last week, areas in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin saw decades-old daily rainfall records surpassed; and this is on top the already wet season we have experienced. 

So just how much precipitation has the region seen this year? Below are graphs broken down by state (please click on the graphs for a larger image), showing how 2017 monthly totals (information from Weather Underground) stack up to the historical monthly averages (information from U.S. Climate Data). The last graph showcases the total precipitation the region has received this year vs. historical average totals (please note, all graphs represent rainfall totals in inches, and display information from March 1 - July 14). 

While superintendents employ cultural and mechanical practices to plan for adverse weather, we simply can't control or predict the weather. Seasons like this where extreme weather is the norm shows just how important these best management practices are. They also highlight the dedication and commitment superintendents display on a daily basis, as many have been working around-the-clock to ensure the course is in the best possible condition at all times.

US Open a huge success for all involved

With the U.S. Open making its first trip to Wisconsin, there was understandably excitement and enthusiasm among golf's allied associations throughout the state. The Wisconsin GCSA, the Wisconsin Turfgrass Association, and the Wisconsin Section PGA partnered together to take advantage of this exceptional opportunity. 

The Wisconsin GCSA board worked together with allied associations to create a fantastic ad campaign for the three aforementioned associations. Utilizing GCSAA's Chapter Outreach Grant, administered by the Environmental Institute for Golf (EIFG), the three associations created digital billboards (examples below) which highlighted the environmental and economic benefits golf and turf create throughout the state. The billboard campaign began the week prior to the tournament and ran throughout, until the week following the conclusion of the U.S. Open. This exposure equated to over 87,000 views of the various billboards which ran in the Greater Milwaukee area.

20-year GCSAA member and current Wisconsin GCSA President Jon Canavan, who serves as Director of Golf and Turf Management of the Milwaukee County Department of Parks, had this to say about the importance of the campaign: 'With the eyes of golf on the state of Wisconsin, we saw a great opportunity to tell our story for all of golf and turf. There is such great support for golf from our allied associates in the state of Wisconsin. I would like to thank the WGCSA, WTA, WPGA, GCSAA and EIFG for their support of this great campaign. This is a great of example to how different associations can come together to help grow our great game.'

Wisconsin GCSA Chapter Executive Brett Grams was instrumental in getting the campaign off the ground. He added: 'This project fit in nicely with our chapter's mission and vision of advancing our profession, advocating for our industry, and supporting the future of golf in Wisconsin. Thanks to Minnesota GCSA Executive Director Jack MacKenzie, CGCS, for sharing the idea when they did a similar project at the Ryder Cup in Minnesota last fall. We simply gathered additional support from our allied associations in Wisconsin to expand our media buy. The EIFG Chapter Outreach Grant made us that much more successful in telling the good story of environmental stewardship, and the positives of golf in the local landscape. The feedback has been nothing but positive to date.'

Along with the successful ad campaign, 14-year GCSAA and WGCSA member Zach Reineking, superintendent of Erin Hills, showed the world what a great place Wisconsin is for the game. Add to the fact that Wisconsin native Steve Stricker not only qualified for the tournament the week prior, but made the cut to play the weekend, this was truly a magical event for golf, and the entire state. Credit to the Wisconsin GCSA for promoting our industry successfully on such a grand scale, and elevating our profession to greater levels.