Area golf course operators are experiencing the opposite of the problem they had last year.  Good Park Golf Course, for example, seemed like it was closed about as much as it was open in 2011.  That was all do to rain and flooding, in some cases, according to Manager Dante D'Andrea.

It's an understatement to say the course needs some rain this year.  D'Andrea says it would be great if they could shut off the sprinklers for a night or two because that's the only thing keeping the tees, fairways and greens ... well, green.

"The greens are good," said D'Andrea.  "They're not real fast because you can't cut them down because you have a chance of losing them, but they're in good shape."

No need to cut down the rough either, since the lack of water prevents it from growing and there's no irrigation to those parts of the course.  D'Andrea says they haven't had to mow the rough in about two weeks.  That leaves time for employees to get out hoses and water the greens by hand between groups of golfers. 

He says most public courses appear to be about the same as Good Park - playable, even if they aren't as pretty as usual.  D'Andrea says you would never know there's a drought based on the condition of some private golf courses, including Portage Country Club.

"Portage got new irrigation, plus they don't have as much play so it's easier to water and do things in between play during the day because the clubs have a lot more down time," said D'Andrea.

D'Andrea says the recent heat didn't scare away golfers, noting that it's been busy throughout.