What a Difference A Year Makes

No two years on a golf course are ever the same.  We only have to look back to last year to confirm this fact.  We all like to control as many situations in our lives as possible but we have no control over the weather and how it affects a golf course.  We have a high degree of control over many functions and areas of the club.  For example, indoor dining, golf shop shopping, clubhouse parties, etc are all indoor functions that can proceed without a "hitch" because they are held indoors.  The golf course is different.  It is a outdoor living entity that is significantly influenced by sudden and extreme weather conditions.  Course conditions change not only year to year but can change day to day depending on the weather.
Below are some examples of the extremes in weather from 2012 to 2013. 

Last year at this time it was pushing 100 degrees for extended periods
                                                            

This year temperatures are in the 60s on the 1st of July.  Members are still wearing jackets
                                                         
                                            
                                             2012 Headlines

Emergency drought aid expands as Midwest bakes!!!!!!!!!

US Drought Disaster Worst In Over 50 Years


Forecast: More Heat, More Drought

The 2012 drought disaster is now the largest in over 50 years, and among the ten largest of the past century, according to a new report released by the National Climatic Data Center today.
The current drought actually covers more area than the famous 1936 drought, though other droughts in the Dust Bowl years – particularly the extreme drought of 1934 – still rank higher
 Heat Wave Smashes Records as Drought ExpandsThe heat wave continues! O'Hare's hit 103, Midway 102. The heat's to run thru Sat AM. Afternoon temps are within striking distance of Chicago's all-time record hi of 105 set July 24, 1934. It's the 2nd day in which century old temp records have fallen.

Wednesday's record-tying 102-degree high, the hottest July 4 temperature here in nearly a century, appears only the opening act of an intense heat wave which still has several days to run.

The 102-degree peak reading marked only the second time in 142 years an Independence Day has recorded a triple digit temperature here

Photos of the effects that the record setting heat and drought had on the golf course in 2012

NCC 2012

NCC 2012

                                                               

2013 Weather Headlines

Wednesday morning’s deluge is just the latest to hit portions of the Greater Chicago area in a year which has been producing precipitation at a record rate. There hasn’t been a single year since official weather records began 142 years ago in 1871 which has produced a year-to-date precipitation tally greater than the 27.54" currently on the books

Month’s rainfall running at 12 times last June’s pace; 2013′s precipitation tally remains the heaviest of any on record in the past 142 years
From a 140 year drought last summer to 140 year rainfall records this year

NCC golf course flooding

Chicago flooding