By Golf Superintendent Ben Larsen
Green Bay fell just shy of its snowiest February with accumulations of 28.4".  The previous record was 30.2" set in 1890.  Total snowfall over winter is 18" above normal, making this the 17th snowiest winter.  Now with last week’s and this week’s temperatures staying above freezing, what will happen to the course and all this snow?

Above you will see the amount of snow we have on the ground and what it equates to in water.  As you can see, Green Bay has a 2.9 meaning the amount of melt will equate to a 2.9” water.  When you add the 2.9” of water with the rain we received last week, it equates to over 4” of water.   

Overall our course drains very well, with our high elevations and strategically placed drainage, leading into our creeks and ponds.  However, with the frozen soil and many of our drains blocked by ice and snow; most of the drainage was on the surface, putting the pressure on our creeks and ponds to handle the volume.  Luckily, prior to the melt, there were minimal ice jams in the creeks, so most runoff was able to flow freely.  Unfortunately, the amount of rain and melt was too much for our creeks, resulting in the runoff and drainage spilling on to some of the course.  On the plus side, the water levels have receded in the last 24 hours and the water is flowing within the creek banks.  Below, are some comparisons between Thursday, March 14th and Friday, March 15th.

Once the course is melted and accessible, we will assess the damage, if any, and start cleaning the course.  We will keep updating you as more of the course is revealed.