I can't remember a time when my customer visits were so dominated by the talk of the weather. We experienced the second highest snowfall total year on record, here in Philadelphia, and a much hyped nor'easter just went to the south of us this past week. Needless to say, people have had enough. To top it off, temperatures are inching slightly higher this week, with a weekend of 2"-3" of rain. This is pretty much going to stop the chance of any rounds of golf this weekend.
Because the weather is deterring people from playing golf, the real financial impact of this winter has yet to be seen. The lost revenue that golf in the Mid-Atlantic part of the US has experienced is growing from an inconvenience into big time concerns. Clubs that have been doing a little better than just paying the bills have some major anxieties. Some have not had any rounds in months and the sluggish start to the spring weather just increases the pressure. Add in the man hours plus, in some instances, contractors that were needed to be brought in from the tree ice damage back in early February, it is not a pretty picture.
OK, enough on the negative perspective. The upside is golfers are in the starting gate and kicking to get out. I think if Mother Nature would just cut us a little slack in these next few weeks, you will see one of those NGF reports that "Golf Rounds are up!". The hard part is Superintendents all are aware it is going to be one of those years that people will not soon forget.
WJC
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