Business Insights Presented by Kemper Lakes Golf Club Kemper Lakes Golf Club Welcomes Golfers Rain or Shine Unpredictable weather is par for the course in Chicago. One day the sun's beautiful rays shine down; the next day, residents take cover from a summer hailstorm. The day after that, humidity 00zes out of the atmosphere, soaking locals in a thick layer of sweat. While the majority of Chicagoans peek at the forecast before deciding whether to pack an umbrella, Mike Paciga, golf course superintendent at Kemper Lakes Golf Club in Kildeer, must watch weather patterns to gauge how to prep the golf course for members getting ready to tee off. he said. Rain delays are shorter at Kemper Lakes because of this and the club hardly ever needs to close because of rain. This year has been especially challenging for Paciga and his crew. Heavy rains coupled with hot and humid stretches have meant maintaining Kemper Lakes' pristine course conditions has been an around-the-clock job. This combination of Playing conditions for those who choose to continue storms followed by scorching heat can oversaturate paciga said a water-saturated course makes playing fairways, causing turf to wilt and die. It's an issue many golf courses face, but Kemper Lakes has decided to meet the problem head on with a drainage system that utilizes natural contours designed to drain the golf course in mere hours. Thousands of feet of 4-inch drainage pipe lie underneath the links at Kemper Lakes, draining the water into ponds surrounding the course. Being able to drain the course quickly not only results in shorter rain delays, it also improves taking shots following a summer rain shower. conditions more difficult. Golf balls don't travel as far because soggy fairways prevent the ball from rolling. Quickly draining the water means playing conditions improve and carts are less likely to track mud or be called off the course. "Our drainage system provides better playing conditions, rain or shine. It allows for firmer fairways and tees, which gives golfers a better overall experience," Paciga said The drainage system is yet another way Kemper Lakes differentiates its offerings for members. Like many improvements at Kemper Lakes, the drainage system is an example of the continued commitment from ownership to improve the dlub and its facilities. Its benefits have not gone unnoticed. Ive seen a big difference over the years," said Paciga. "it's all about how fast you can get the water cleared away and we've been continually decreasing the time it takes to get golfers back out "Every year we install 1,500 to 2,500 feet of drainage pipe throughout the course," said Paciga. on course after a heavy rain." "Every year we see our turf issues and fix them through adding additional drainage. Drainage allows us to keep the turf healthy and our golfers happy by getting them back on the course quickly after a downpour The sophisticated drainage system allows for the whole course to be drained in two to three hours, Interested in membership at Kemper Lakes? Visit kemperlakesgolf.com/membership for more information. KEMPER LAKES 24000 N. Old McHenry Rd., Kildeer www.kemperlakesgolf.com Business Insights Presented by Kemper Lakes Golf Club Kemper Lakes Golf Club Welcomes Golfers Rain or Shine Unpredictable weather is par for the course in Chicago. One day the sun's beautiful rays shine down; the next day, residents take cover from a summer hailstorm. The day after that, humidity 00zes out of the atmosphere, soaking locals in a thick layer of sweat. While the majority of Chicagoans peek at the forecast before deciding whether to pack an umbrella, Mike Paciga, golf course superintendent at Kemper Lakes Golf Club in Kildeer, must watch weather patterns to gauge how to prep the golf course for members getting ready to tee off. he said. Rain delays are shorter at Kemper Lakes because of this and the club hardly ever needs to close because of rain. This year has been especially challenging for Paciga and his crew. Heavy rains coupled with hot and humid stretches have meant maintaining Kemper Lakes' pristine course conditions has been an around-the-clock job. This combination of Playing conditions for those who choose to continue storms followed by scorching heat can oversaturate paciga said a water-saturated course makes playing fairways, causing turf to wilt and die. It's an issue many golf courses face, but Kemper Lakes has decided to meet the problem head on with a drainage system that utilizes natural contours designed to drain the golf course in mere hours. Thousands of feet of 4-inch drainage pipe lie underneath the links at Kemper Lakes, draining the water into ponds surrounding the course. Being able to drain the course quickly not only results in shorter rain delays, it also improves taking shots following a summer rain shower. conditions more difficult. Golf balls don't travel as far because soggy fairways prevent the ball from rolling. Quickly draining the water means playing conditions improve and carts are less likely to track mud or be called off the course. "Our drainage system provides better playing conditions, rain or shine. It allows for firmer fairways and tees, which gives golfers a better overall experience," Paciga said The drainage system is yet another way Kemper Lakes differentiates its offerings for members. Like many improvements at Kemper Lakes, the drainage system is an example of the continued commitment from ownership to improve the dlub and its facilities. Its benefits have not gone unnoticed. Ive seen a big difference over the years," said Paciga. "it's all about how fast you can get the water cleared away and we've been continually decreasing the time it takes to get golfers back out "Every year we install 1,500 to 2,500 feet of drainage pipe throughout the course," said Paciga. on course after a heavy rain." "Every year we see our turf issues and fix them through adding additional drainage. Drainage allows us to keep the turf healthy and our golfers happy by getting them back on the course quickly after a downpour The sophisticated drainage system allows for the whole course to be drained in two to three hours, Interested in membership at Kemper Lakes? Visit kemperlakesgolf.com/membership for more information. KEMPER LAKES 24000 N. Old McHenry Rd., Kildeer www.kemperlakesgolf.com