Update: March 28, 2010

We've been waiting a long time to see a forecast like this.  On November 7th and 8th, 2009, the temperatures broke 70 degrees for a fleeting moment, but you have to go back to September of 2009 to find another 70 degree day.  In fact, we haven't seen a stretch of sunny, temperate days since the one that ended on September 19th -- about six months ago.  Let's hope the forecast doesn't change on us!

We have already had a lot of play this March, but I suspect many golfers will play their first rounds soon.  You can always see and book available tee times at our website: http://www.sugarcreekgolfcourse.org/.  As of today, the course is dry enough to allow riding carts without restrictions until further notice.

Update: March 22, 2010

Winter returned briefly last weekend, but all the snow has melted.  The greens and tees are looking good along with most areas of the fairways.  The weather for this week looks a lot better than they were forecasting.  It will be a good week for early spring golf!

A Beautiful Day

What a day for March 16th!  The greens were mowed for the first time and are putting well.  The next few days look like more of the same beatiful weather. 

Many golfers came out to enjoy our 9,000 square foot putting green

Not bad for March 16th!

7th Green on March 16th

Golf Course Opening

Starting Monday, March 15, the golf course will be playable and open.  The rain on Saturday set us back a bit, but the greens and tees are clean and firming up.  After a long winter, the weather starting March 15 looks great!

Did you know that last winter was one of the longest, coldest winters ever?  The Chicago area had 97 straight days under 50 degrees.  By this measure, only 4 winters were worse: 1920, 1945, 1899, and 1979.  You can read about it here (WGN Weather Blog).

A Long, Difficult Winter for Turf

A couple months ago, I wrote about possible sources of winter damage to turf ("Good Winter or Bad Winter for Turf?").  As of now, we can say it was not an easy winter on any sort of turf -- home lawns or golf courses.  Almost every turf area I've seen has been affected in some way.  What can we do about it?

It's Almost Time!

The driving range is now open!  As for the rest of the course, it is getting close.  There is still quite a bit of ice and slush out there.  4 of our 10 greens are still covered in ice and slush.  The maintenance crew has been busy blowing debris (and some ice) off of the greens and tees so that the course will be playable as soon as possible. 

Check back soon for more updates.

8 green with ice -- March 10 -- Should be gone tomorrow

7 Fairway with some ice, melting fast

Buckthorn Removal

This plant, Common Buckthorn, is everywhere.  It leafs out early and keeps its leaves well into the fall.  It grows anywhere, and it grows fast.  It can grow 6 feet in one year!  Buckthorn was brought to the United States from Europe and was a popular hedge plant for decades in the 1800's.  With all this going for it, what's wrong with buckthorn?