Area golf courses still seeing green, despite the dry conditions

BROWN COUNTY, Wis. (WFRV) - A heat wave continues in Wisconsin and across the country. While some recent rain has fallen, the ground here at home is still dry.

But ninety degree heat isn't keeping golfers off the links.

"There's plenty of cold beer," joked golfer Jon Levanetz. "It's not so bad, we stay plenty hydrated."

But keeping the course hydrated isn't as easy.

"We got a little bit of rain a couple nights ago but before that it's been about a month," explained Mark Becker, the Director of Golf at Thornberry Creek in Oneida. "We've had maybe a half inch total, so it's been extremely dry that's for sure."

Grounds crews at Thornberry Creek have been logging some overtime. While the course does have an irrigation system, Becker said keeping these greens watered has been a challenge.

"They're actually watering the greens by hand, too," said Becker. "Every day, every other day sometimes, just to keep up with it because with these high winds, that dries it out as well."

But there is an upside to these extremely dry conditions. Becker said the lack of rain is actually driving business way up.

"The rain keeps them away, but with these high temperatures," said Becker. "People still willing to play in the heat."

It's the same story over at Ledgeview Golf Course. Director of Golf, Steven Payant, said business is at an all time high.

"This industry is weather driven and when we have nice weather we are having very nice days," Payant explained. "You just water more. That's all you can really do to the golf course."

"Hopefully we'll get some rain here, a little bit," added Becker. "Ideally at night so they can still play during the day and then we'll go from there."