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Record-breaking rainfall creates some challenges for golf courses and golfers

A foot of rain has fallen this season, causing some stress on the golf course.

TOLEDO, Ohio — The Toledo area has had a record-breaking spring, with approximately a foot of rain and counting.

The South Toledo Golf Club has had some luck with relatively dry conditions in the past couple of days, but wet spots are still visible on the course.

General Manager Nick Szymanski said that this season has been tough for business, but people have still come to play, so his crews have had to make it work.

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"We do a lot of walking (golf), basically all the time, even with flooded conditions, just so people can get out," Szymanski said. "But, we've had quite a few days where you haven't had carts out this year."

He said that financially, the rain has also proved to be a burden, canceling events and more. In general, it has affected things beyond just the pocketbook.

"Every time we lose a league night, or every time we lose an event or an outing day, or a Saturday this time of year, it's stressful," Syzmanski said. "I think all golfers have been frustrated. Obviously, anyone who works in the industry has, for sure. But people are routine-oriented so they're here every Wednesday, every Friday, and then all of a sudden their routines change. All of a sudden Friday they can't play and it's pouring down rain or courses are flooded."

He said that this year has proved to be more difficult than usual when it comes to making the course playable.

"This is way worse than normal," he said. "And we do get a lot of spring rains, you do have days that you lose or miss out, or you have to close down because you can't because you're just flooded out, but obviously this year has just been one of the worst in maybe fifteen to twenty years."

Bruce Jahns, a member of the club and a regular golfer, said that despite the weather he continues to visit the course.

"There's been a couple of times where we haven't been able to come out and play, but we try to. If we are limited to holes, then sometimes I get out here and walk and try to do what I can to play and exercise," Jahns said. "It means a lot, I love coming here. I mean, I love playing golf, I'll play it anywhere, but this is my home course, so it's my favorite place to play."

Syzmanski said that the club continues to work on the course in hopes of making it more playable in the coming weeks.

"It is nice to know that they are still happy, even though maybe our course conditions are a little wet," he said.

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