Mother Nature Spoils Golfers in 2012

It's been a winter that many golfers in Wisconsin will remember. In fact, golfers have been a bit spoiled this year by Mother Nature.

The year 2012 marked the first time the was open to golfers in January in its 42-year history. The last time Wanaki opened in the depths of the deep freeze was on Feb. 28, 1998. The course was open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday. 

“We're full from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The course is full of people,” said Clubhouse Supervisor James Ehnert. “Every little bit helps, and this creates a lot of goodwill with your regular customers.”

The parking lot filled up and golfers continued to trickle in at the stroke of 10 a.m. on Tuesday, and though the greens were hard and fast, golfers reveled in the 50-degree sunny day.

“This has just been an amazing year,” said Frank Showers as he lined up putts on the practice green.

Showers, along with the golfers in his foursome, were out on the course playing a round on New Year's Eve as well. Ehnert said 60 other golfers also played on the last day of 2011.

Ehnert said the course closed on Dec. 1, but reopened from Dec. 26 through Dec. 31. According Waukesha County Parks Program Specialist Ginny Bocek, the county courses will stay open as long as the weather allows.

However, you may want to get on the course soon. According to , Wisconsin weather will likely come back to reality on Wednesday night.