Nice weather for ducks: April was the third wettest on record in Ann Arbor
For Ann Arbor area golfers and golf course operators, the best thing that could be said about April is that it's over.
That's because it was tied for the third wettest since local records have been kept.
"It's the worst April I've seen in the last 10 years, said Doug Mervis, co-owner of Stonebridge Golf Club, a public course in Pittsfield Township. Rain kept golfers away for many days during the month.
"It just wouldn't stop. It was unbelievable," he said. "Last week no one came out for three or four days."
Geese swim across a flooded course in Jackson County after rain in June of 2010. April rain kept many golfers away from courses, but Stonebridge course owner Doug Mervis is hoping for a better summer.
Jackson Citizen-Patriot photo
The wettest April on record occurred in 1937, when 6.66 inches of rain fell, Kahlbaum said. In second place is April 1947 with 6.27 inches. The month had only eight days with no precipitation, Kahlbaum said.
But though your memory may tell you the month was also cold, Kalhbaum said the average temperature for the month was unremarkable. It was 47.6. The normal average is 48.
While that may not be much colder than normal, Mervis said weather conditions were enough to keep golfers inside and grass from growing. The course didn't get a complete mowing until earlier this week, Mervis said.
More rain is in the forecast for this week, though today and at least part of Thursday look good. The high today is expected to be around 60 with gradual clearing throughout the day. Tonight the low will dip to around freezing with frost possible. Thursday is expected to be sunny in the morning and cloudy in the afternoon, with a 60 percent chance of rain.
Showers are likely Friday morning and possible Friday afternoon. Saturday is expected to be mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of rain. Sunday will be partly sunny, but there's still a 30 percent chance of rain.
Still, Mervis is optimistic now that April is past. It's often not a good month for golf anyway, he said. And bad weather early in the season is better than later. Last year, it rained every weekend in May, and flooding in June closed many golf courses, he said. Also, a rainy month has generated pent-up demand.
"The phones are ringing off the hook. People are just raring to go."
For updated forecasts, check AnnArbor.com's weather page.
Comments
nightstars
Thu, May 5, 2011 : 3:28 a.m.
Nice weather for ducks...unless you live at McDonald's! Ba dum tish.
xmo
Wed, May 4, 2011 : 4:29 p.m.
This would be a GREAT Global WARMING story: "It was 47.6. The normal average is 48"
dading dont delete me bro
Wed, May 4, 2011 : 4:04 p.m.
heck, it's even too wet for the ducks... ...their staying on the roofs in our neighborhood! B-P
fjord
Wed, May 4, 2011 : 2:42 p.m.
The rain undoubtedly caused more problems at Stonebridge than at most other courses in the area — the drainage at Stonebridge is horrible. Even after moderate rain, certain fairways can be waterlogged for days (the 9th and 18th come to mind). A tee shot hit into the fairway should not: a. Cause a visible splash two days after the last rainfall b. Plug deeply into the turf so that no part of the ball is above the surface c. Come to rest underwater
Jim Roland
Thu, May 5, 2011 : 11:56 p.m.
Stonebridge had cart and play on the course a day after the heavy rains last week while many area courses were still closed. There was no standing water and the only plug balls were due to carts driving over them. You must not be thinking of the right course....
fjord
Wed, May 4, 2011 : 8:09 p.m.
He may have told you that, and it may even be true, but that doesn't change the fact that the drainage at that course is horrible.
Cindy Heflin
Wed, May 4, 2011 : 2:51 p.m.
Doug Mervis actually told me they have lots of drainage tiles at Stonebridge and were able to get carts back on the course pretty quickly after rain.