With the wacky winter and spring weather we’ve experienced, we’ve just about seen everything, including golfers in February. Eric Leonard is the golf course superintendent at TPC Wisconsin on the North side of Madison. They’ll be hosting the American Family PGA Tour beginning in 2025. He says public courses did open up for golfers, but TPC did not. They didn’t want to risk damaging the grass. So while their members may be holding out for opening day, Eric is on the fairway making sure the course is in good condition for the season. Drought has made irrigation a lifeline, he says. The grass came out of the winter okay despite low moisture. He expects insect populations to be up. Grubs are an issue for golf courses, and they attract four-legged pests as well, such as raccoons and skunks. As they battle the elements and the critters, golf courses also follow a nutrient management plan similar to farms to protect the water. Also similar to farming, equipment has become more technologically advanced -- they're not mowing with your average lawn mower.

With the wacky winter and spring weather we’ve experienced, we’ve just about seen everything, including golfers in February. Eric Leonard is the golf course superintendent at TPC Wisconsin on the North side of Madison. They’ll be hosting the American Family PGA Tour beginning in 2025. He says public courses did open up for golfers, but TPC did not. They didn’t want to risk damaging the grass. So while their members may be holding out for opening day, Eric is on the fairway making sure the course is in good condition for the season. Drought has made irrigation a lifeline, he says. The grass came out of the winter okay despite low moisture. He expects insect populations to be up. Grubs are an issue for golf courses, and they attract four-legged pests as well, such as raccoons and skunks. As they battle the elements and the critters, golf courses also follow a nutrient management plan similar to farms to protect the water. Also similar to farming, equipment has become more technologically advanced -- they're not mowing with your average lawn mower.

Join Pam Jahnke for the latest farm news. Heard daily on WOZN 96.7 FM and 1670 AM in Madison Wisconsin from 5-6am. Also heard on affiliate stations all over Wisconsin.

Join Pam Jahnke for the latest farm news. Heard daily on WOZN 96.7 FM and 1670 AM in Madison Wisconsin from 5-6am. Also heard on affiliate stations all over Wisconsin.

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