2024 NWS Upper Great Lakes Golf Outing 

NWS Golfers and Guests, 

The 2024 NWS Upper Great Lakes three day golf outing concluded on Wednesday, September 11th at Kettle Hills Golf Course in Richfield, Wisconsin, which is northwest of the Milwaukee metro area. The weather was warm and dry each day.  

For group play on Monday and Tuesday, the group of  posted the lowest score of   under par for the Monday Scramble event. The group of  posted the lowest score of   under par for the Tuesday Shamble event.   also posted the lowest score of even par for the Putting Contest held after golf on Tuesday.   took home a fistful of dollars (around $40).  

For individual play on Wednesday, Tom Zajdel posted the low score of , which topped the Overall Handicapped Flight and allowed him to take home the winners plaque for the first time.  posted a score of , which topped the  Flight.  posted a score of , which won  Flight honors, and  posted a score of , which claimed  Flight honors.

Thank you to everyone who traveled to Richfield, Wisconsin for this year's event!

See you in 2025!  

J. J. Wood and Aidan Kuroski - April 3, 2025
NWS Upper Great Lakes Golf Co-Chairmen
jjwood@wi.rr.com and ark1of5@sbcglobal.net 

2023 NWS Upper Great Lakes Golf Outing 

NWS Golfers and Guests, 

The 2023 NWS Upper Great Lakes three day golf outing concluded on Wednesday, September 13th at Yahara Hills Golf Course on the east side of Madison, Wisconsin.  The weather was cool and cloudy on Monday, but partly to mostly sunny and milder for Tuesday and Wednesday.  

The group of Sam Lashley, Ned Johnston, Tom Helman and Gary Austin posted the lowest score of 8 under par for the Monday Scramble event. The group of Sam Lashley, Aidan Kuroski, Ned Johnston and Ron Irwin posted the lowest score of 3 under par for the Tuesday Shamble event.  Larry H. also posted the lowest score of even par for the Putting Contest held after golf on Tuesday.  He took home a fistful of dollars (around $40).  

For individual play on Wednesday, Jack May posted the low score of 85, which topped the First Flight and allowed him to take home the winners plaque for the first time, after Sam Lashley graciously "retired" from award eligibility. Mike T. posted a score of 93, which topped the Second Flight. J.J. Wood posted a score of 102, which won him Third Flight honors, and Larry H. posted a score of 111, which claimed Fourth Flight honors.

Thank you to everyone who traveled to Madison for this year's event!

See you in 2024!  

J. J. Wood and Aidan Kuroski - October 13, 2023
NWS Upper Great Lakes Golf Co-Chairmen
jjwood@wi.rr.com and ark1of5@sbcglobal.net 

2022 NWS Upper Great Lakes Golf Outing

NWS Golfers and Guests, 

The 2022 NWS Upper Great Lakes three day golf outing concluded on Wednesday, September 14th at Coldwater Canyon Golf Course in the Wisconsin Dells.  The weather was an issue on Monday with persistent showers which forced the Scramble event to be trimmed to 9 holes.  Otherwise, great weather returned for the Tuesday Shamble and Wednesday Stroke-play events.  Best of all, the bugs and mosquitos remained minimal.  The course was in great shape, and the AmericInn Hotel was excellent and a worthwhile value.    

The group of Sam Lashley, Tasos Kallas, Gary Austin and Paul Maczka posted the lowest score of 4 under par for the 9 hole Monday Scramble event.  The group of Sam Lashley, J.J. Wood, Ron Irwin and Marc Kavinsky posted the lowest score of 2 under par for the Tuesday Shamble event.  Sam Lashely also posted the lowest score of even par for the Putting contest held after golf on Tuesday.  He took home a fistful of dollars ($42).  

Sam continued his winning ways on Wednesday as he posted the low score of 79 to take home the winners plaque for the third year in a row.  Tasos Kallas posted a score of 94 which topped the First Flight and Ron Irwin, adopted meteorologist, posted a score of 100 which won him Second Flight honors.  

This was my last year as chairman of the NWS Upper Great Lakes Golf outing.  Aiden Kurowski, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Milwaukee/Sullivan will be taking over as chairman with assistance from meteorologist J.J. Wood.  Aiden's email address is ark1of5@sbcglobal.net.  J.J.'s email is jjwood@wi.rr.com.  I am looking forward to the new life and changes Aiden and J.J. inject into the golf event. 

Thank you to everyone who participated in these annual golf outings since I took over 10 years ago in 2013.  Also, a big thank you to all those participants who donated money, prizes and welcome assistance during my tenure as chairman.  

See you in 2023,  

Marc Kavinsky - October 26, 2022
Former NWS Upper Great Lakes Golf Chairman
mkavinsky@icloud.com

2021 NWS Upper Great Lakes Golf Outing

NWS Golfers and Guests, 

The 2021 NWS Upper Great Lakes Golf Outing concluded on Wednesday, September 15th.  This year the weather cooperated, and we had three dry and comfortable days at Crystal Springs Golf Course in Seymour Wisconsin, located just west of Green Bay.    Unfortunately due to recent wet weather in the area,  the mosquitos were abundant and swarming each day.  Gusty winds kept the mosquitos in check (mostly) on Tuesday, but on Monday and Wednesday, Deep Woods Off was needed every couple holes.  

On Monday, September 13th, the group played a Scramble Event as we got used  to the narrow fairways at Crystal Ridge Golf Course. The winning score of 5 under par was turned in by two groups.  After a tie breaker, the winning Scramble group was made up of Jack May, Aidan Kuroski, Robert Courchaine and Tom Youngell. 

On Tuesday, September 14th,  the group played a Shamble Event, which allowed everyone to play their own ball at the location of the best drive of the group.  Each team member is then responsible for playing their own ball the remainder of the hole, until they hole out.  The best individual score is recorded as the team score.  Two nice benefits of a Shamble are golfers get to play approach shots from a decent position (usually) on the fairway, and it feels more like a regular game of golf, versus the Scramble format.  The team of Joe Rosner, Brian Hahn and Ron Irwin turned in a winning score of 5 under par and smoked the competition.  

A post-round putting contest was held on Tuesday, following the Shamble.  The Crystal Ridge grounds keeper set up a wicked four hole putting course on the practice green.  The winning score of 1 over par was turned in by Jack May, Sam Lashley and Steve Buan.  After a tense and derisive two hole playoff, with many insults thrown, Jack May prevailed and won the pot of $39.  

On Wednesday, September 15th, a stroke play tournament was held with tee times beginning at 8 am.  Fourteen golfers participated in the tournament including previous NWSUGL chairman Brian Hahn.  The winning score of 81 was turned in by reigning champion Sam Lashley, making him the first successive winner since Paul Collar in 2001-2002.   Congratulations Sam.  With a score of 93, Jack May won the First Flight and Tom Zajdel turned in a score of 101 to win the Second Flight.  Ron Irwin won the guest division with a score of 100.  

This year, there were 26 golfers comprised of current NWS employees, retirees, relatives and guests.  Thank you to all for venturing to the Green Bay area to participate in the 2021 NWSUGL golf outing.  

See you next year, 

Marc Kavinsky - September 19, 2021
NWS Upper Great Lakes Golf Chairman
mkavinsky@icloud.com

2020 NWS Upper Great Lakes Golf Outing - Information 

NWS Golfers and Guests, 

The 2020 NWS Upper Great Lakes Golf Outing has concluded.  The event was held on Monday September 14th through Wednesday, September 16th at Pine Hills Golf Course in Gresham Wisconsin.  The weather was beautiful this year with a mix of clouds and sun, but more importantly, no rain!.  The only issue was the persistent gnats at the golf course. 

On Monday, September 14th, the group played a Scramble event  as we got used to the tough Pine Hills layout.  Jim Christianson, Tom Zajdel and myself had a great day with our drives, approach shots as well as our putting and turned in a winning score of 8 under par to win the event. 

On Tuesday, September 15th the group played their first Shamble event at Pine Hills.  A Shamble allows everyone to play their own ball at the location of the best drive in the group.  Each team member is then responsible for playing their own ball the remainder of the hole, until they hole out.  Then the best individual score is recorded for the team.  Two nice benefits of a Shamble are golfers get to play approach shots from a decent position on the fairway (usually), and it feels more like a regular game of golf, versus the Scramble format.  In the end, the team of Sam Lashley, Aidan Kuroski, Tasos Kallas, and Tom Zajdel turned in the winning score of 7 under par to win the event.   

A post-round putting contest was held on Tuesday.  Tom Zajdel continued his torrid putting and turned in a winning score of 2 over par on a tough layout set up by Travis Relyea, Manager of Pine Hills Golf Course. He  took home $33 for his amazing putting prowess.   

On Wednesday, a stroke play tournament was held with tee times beginning around 8 am.  No surprise that the winning score of 78 was turned in by frequent NWSCRGA Champion Sam Lashley.  Sam won the Championship flight by frequently hitting over trees, and getting on the greens in regulation, and not letting the persistent gnats disrupt his concentration. 

Using the Brian Hahn scoring method, it was determined that Brian Hahn himself was the winner of the 1st Flight with a score of 91, and I was the winner of the 2nd Flight with a score of 100. Ron Irwin was the winner of the Guest Division with a score of 104. 

Thanks to all the attendees for coming to northern Wisconsin during these uncertain times of the Covid virus.  

See you next year. 

Marc Kavinsky - September 19, 2020
NWS Upper Great Lakes Golf Outing Chairman

2019 NWS Upper Great Lakes Golf Outing

NWS Golfers and Guests,

The 2019 NWS Upper Great Golf Outing was extended by one day this year and moved to the following week after Labor Day.  The event was held on Monday, September 9th through Wednesday, September 11th.   

Also, to add variety, we played at two courses.  On Monday, September 9th, the group played at Pine Valley GC in Marathon, which is west of Wausau on Highway 29.  The group played a scramble event at Pine Valley.  Showers and thunderstorms threatened for much of the round, but we were able to squeeze in the eighteen holes between the showers. The scramble pairing of Tasos Kallas, Gary Sorenson and Craig Edwards turned in the winning score of 8 under par to dazzle the gathered crowd at Pine Valley.

On Tuesday, September 10th the group played at Indianhead GC ( a Brian Hahn favorite) in Mosinee Wisconsin.  The group played a second scramble event to prepare for the grueling stroke-play tournament set for Wednesday.  Once again, the scramble pairing of Tasos Kallas, Gary Sorenson and Craig Edwards along with myself, (Marc Kavinsky), turned in the winning score of 4 under par.   Fortunately, the showers and thunderstorms remained to the south of Indianhead on Tuesday.  

A post-round putting contest was held on Tuesday.  Gary Sorenson turned in a magnificent performance with the flat stick, recording a score of even par over 8 grueling holes.  He  took home $33 for his amazing effort on the green.  

The showers and storms finally caught up to us on Wednesday.  For the first time, Mother Nature had her way with the NWS golfers and washed out the event Wednesday morning.  Thunderstorms rolled into the Mosinee area around 7:45 am and continued through the rest of the morning.

Hence for the first time, there was no 2019 NWSUGL Champion! You could say Mother Nature won the championship flight!

See you next year. 

Marc Kavinsky - September 2019

NWS Upper Great Lakes Golf Outing Chairman

2018 NWS Upper Great Lakes Golf Outing

NWS Golfers and Guests,

The 2018 National Weather Service Upper Great Lakes Golf Outing was held on Thursday and Friday, September 6th and 7th at the Foxfire Golf Course in Waupaca Wisconsin.  Foxfire was a challenging course with plenty of water and strategically placed bunkers.  

Sixteen NWS golfers, guests and family members attended the event.  Fortunately, the weather cooperated with dry conditions both days.  

On Thursday, the golfers enjoyed playing a Scramble Event.  Despite a slow start, two of the teams turned in excellent scores, well below Par. The winning score of -6 was turned in by the team of Dan Miller, Marc Kavinsky and Tasos Kallas.  Honorable mention goes to the team of Brian Hahn, Joe Purcell and Tom Zajdel, which turned in a score of -4.  

A putting contest was held after the scramble event.  There were 13 participants each paying $3 to play.  The winning score of -1 was turned in by Ken Rizzo and Tom Helman.  They split the pot of $39.   

On Friday a stroke play tournament was held with tee times beginning around 8 am.  Despite the tough course, a narrow range of good scores was turned in, ranging from 84 to 99.  Jim Christianson turned in the winning score of 84, winning the Championship flight, proving hitting the ball straight from the forward tees are big advantages. 

Using the Brian Hahn scoring method, it was determined that Brian Hahn himself was the winner of the 1st Flight with a score of 88, and Tom Zajdel was the winner of the 2nd Flight with a score of 97. Way to go Tom! Jim Helman was the winner of the Guest Division with a score of 97.

Thank you to everyone who made the journey to central Wisconsin and Foxfire. 

Marc Kavinsky

2017 NWS Upper Great Lakes Golf Outing

Greetings NWS Golfers and Guests,

The 2017 National Weather Service Upper Great Lakes Golf Outing was held on Thursday, September 7th and Friday, September 8th, at the Castle Course at Northern Bay Resort in Arkdale Wisconsin. The Castle Course is known for its 7 replica holes from PGA Tour courses including Augusta National, TPC Sawgrass, Firestone, Oakland Hills, Oakmont, and Bay Hill! The golfers had a blast playing these holes, especially the par-3 17th hole from TPC Sawgrass and the par-3 16th hole from Augusta. 

Sixteen NWS golfers, guests and family members attended the event. Fortunately, the showers held off on Thursday and Friday turned out to be sunny and warm. Eight golfers were associated with the Milwaukee/Sullivan NWS office, four golfers with the Twin Cities office, three golfers with the Green Bay office, and one golfer with the Duluth office. 

There were four scramble teams that played on Thursday, teeing off at around 1 pm. Despite a slow start, two of the teams turned in an excellent score of -5. Using a hole handicap method to break the tie, the scramble team of Steve Buan, Marc Kavinsky and Ron Irwin came out on top. The scramble team of Brian Hahn, Tom Helman and Miranda Helman also turned in a scramble score of -5. 

A putting contest was held after the scramble event. There were 14 participants each paying $3 to play. The winning score of +2 was turned in by Steve Buan, Tom Helman and Brian Hahn. After a tense sudden death playoff, Steve Buan came out on top and won the pot of $42. 

On Friday a stroke play tournament was held with tee times beginning around 8 am. The tough Castle Course layout resulted in high scores with only one player shooting below 90. Despite recovering from gout and playing in a sandal and bandage, Ned Johnston played his usual steady game and turned in a score of 89, winning the Championship. 

Ned won the championship for the eighth time, dating back to 1988.  Congratulations Ned!

Using the Brian Hahn scoring method, it was determined that Shawn DeVinny was the winner of the 1st Flight with a score of 97, and Ken Rizzo was the winner of the 2nd Flight with a score of 114.  Ron Irwin won the Guest Division with a score of 107.

Thank you to everyone who made the journey to Arkdale and the Castle Couse at Northern Bay Resort.  

Marc Kavinsky

2016 NWS Upper Great Lakes Golf Outing

Greetings NWS Golfers and Guests,

The 2016 National Weather Service Upper Great Lakes Golf Outing was held on Thursday, September 8th and Friday, September 9th at Turtleback Golf Course in Rice Lake Wisconsin.   Seventeen NWS golfers and guests attended the event.  

There were four scramble groups that played on Thursday, teeing off at 120 pm.  The weather was beautiful with sunny skies and temperatures in the low to mid 70s.    

Despite the beautiful weather, the golf course proved to be a challenge.  The winning scramble score of Even par was turned in by the team of Steve Wannebo, Jason Anderson, Denis Anderson, and Tom Zajdel.  The other three scramble teams shot scores of either 2 or 5 strokes above par. 

A putting contest held on the Turtleback Putting Green after the scramble event was comprised of 4 challenging holes, played twice. Par was two strokes per hole, shooting par would be a score of 16.   The winning score was a score of 15 strokes (or 1 under par) turned in by Gary Sorensen, a National Weather Service guest from the Duluth area.   He won the pot of $28 as 14 golfers participated in the putting contest, at a cost of $2 each. 

On Friday, September 9th, a stroke play tournament was held.  A large area of showers and thunderstorms remained just south of the Rice Lake area as the golfers only had to deal with a few passing light showers and mostly cloudy skies.  By the end of lunch, the clouds had cleared.  Temperatures remained in the low to mid 60s during the tournament. 

Dan Miller from the National Weather Service office in Duluth shot the lowest score of 82, edging Ned Johnston by two strokes.  Of note is that Dan only used his irons to shoot the winning score. Congratulations Dan!  It is great to see a new name engraved on the winner's trophy!

Using the Brian Hahn scoring method, it was determined that Tom Helman was the winner of the 1st Flight with a score of 95, and Tom Zajdel was the winner of the 2nd Flight with a score of 116.  Denis Anderson won the Guest Division with a score of 103.

Thank you to everyone who made the journey to Rice Lake and Turtleback Golf Course.  

Marc Kavinsky

2015 NWS Upper Great Lakes Golf Outing

Greetings NWS Golfers and Guests,

The 2015 National Weather Service Upper Great Lakes Golf Outing was held on Thursday, September 10th and Friday, September 11th at The Golf Courses of Lawsonia in Green Lake Wisconsin.   Twenty NWS golfers and guests attended the event.  

There were five scramble groups that played the Lawsonia Links Course on Thursday, teeing off at 1 pm.  Fortunately the forecasted rain showers remained to the south of Green Lake as the day turned out pleasant, with clearing skies.  There were a few sprinkles around in the morning.  

Despite the dry weather, the golf course proved to be a challenge.  The winning scramble score of Even par was turned in by the team of Steve Buan, Kristi Buan, Steve Lauria and Don Traut.  The other four scramble teams failed to make or break par.  The scramble team of Paul Collar, Tom Zajdel, Joe Backes and Jacob Beitlich, tied the scramble team of Ned Johnston, Bill Borghoff, Michael Griesinger and Ben Herzog, for second place with a score of 1 over par. 

On Friday, September 11th, a stroke play tournament was held.  The pleasant and dry weather held out for us. Steve Buan, Golfer Extraordinaire, shot the low score of 91, besting past champion Brian Hahn by 2 strokes, and last year's champion Ned Johnston by 3 strokes.  Steve had previously won the tournament in 2006 and again in 2009. 

Tom Helman, with a score of 102 won First Flight and Bill Borghoff, with a score of 116 won Second Flight.  Kristi Buan won the Women's Division with a score of 119.  The Guest Division was won by Joe Backes with a score of 110. 

After the Thursday Scramble event, we enjoyed a friendly Putting Contest on the practice green of Lawsonia.  There were 16 participants. Steve Buan, honing his skills for the next day, came out on top and won the event.  He took home $32 ($2 entry fee per person).

Thank you to everyone who made the journey to Green Lake and the Golf Courses at Lawsonia.  

Marc Kavinsky

2014 NWS Upper Great Lakes Golf Outing

Greetings NWS Golfers and Guests,

The 2014 NWS Upper Great Lakes Golf Outing has concluded. Fifteen NWS golfers and guests attended this year's event on Thursday, September 4th and Friday, September 5th enjoying all that Wisconsin Rapids and Ridges Golf Course had to offer. 

There were four scramble groups that played the Ridges on Thursday, teeing off at 1 pm.  The group of Jim Helman, Tom Helman, Tasos Kallas and Tom Zajdel had an easy time climbing up to the winner's podium by shooting a score of two under par.  The group of Brian Hahn, Jacob Beitlich, Shawn DeVinny and Ron Irwin come in second with a score of one over par.  Despite a lightning delay for an hour or so on the back nine, everyone had a great time.

On Friday, a stroke play tournament was held.  Ned Johnston, style guru and everyone's best friend, shot a score of 86, winning the Championship and easily besting retired chairman Brian Hahn by four strokes.  This is the seventh time that Ned has won the Championship, dating back to 1988. 

Brian Hahn, with a score of 90 won First Fight and Ken Rizzo, with a score of 101 won Second Flight.

After the Friday stroke play tournament and before lunch, we enjoyed a friendly game of Putt Bowling on the Ridges Practice Green.  There were 13 participants and Tasos Kallas, combined his talents for golf and bowling by besting the field with a score of 16.  For his efforts, he took home the prize of $26 ($2 entry fee per person). 

Thank you to everyone who made the journey to Wisconsin Rapids and The Ridges Golf Course this year.  

Marc Kavinsky

2013 NWS Upper Great Lakes Golf Outing

Greetings NWS Golfers and Guests,  

The 2013 NWS Upper Great Lakes Golf Outing is now complete.  Seventeen NWS golfers and guests attended this year's event on September 5th and 6th, and had a wonderful time enjoying all that the beautiful Lake Arrowhead Golf Course in Nekoosa Wisconsin had to offer. 

There were 4 scramble groups that played the Lake Arrowhead Lakes Course on Thursday.  For the first time in the history of the outing, the outcome needed to be decided by a playoff as two groups tied with a score of one below par.   

After two playoff holes, the scramble group of Ned Johnston, Paul Collar, Steve Dryja and Bill Borghoff defeated the group comprised of Steve Buan, Tasos Kallas, Jacob Beitlich and Rachel Beitlich.  

On Friday, a stroke play tournament was held on the Lake Arrowhead Pines Course.  The lowest score of 88 was carded by perennial favorite and outgoing chairman Brian Hahn for his 5th visit to the winner's circle since 2003.

Ned Johnston won First Flight with a score of 96 and Jacob Beitlich won Second Flight with a score of 107.    

Thank you to everyone who made it to Lake Arrowhead this year.  

Marc Kavinsky 

New Chairman - Fall 2012 

Hello everyone,

Brian Hahn has decided to step down as chairman of the Upper Great Lakes Golf Outing.  Brian has done a great job over the past 10 years in providing a fun and economical golf outing to celebrate the end of the golfing season in and around Wisconsin.  As the new chairman, I plan to continue his tradition of providing an enjoyable venue to celebrate NWS golf comradery.  

After working in the private sector for several years, I joined the NWS in Sullivan as an intern in 1990.  I moved to the Twin Cities as a general forecaster in 1994, and returned to Sullivan as a lead forecaster in 2005.  I am originally from the Chicago area, but consider Wisconsin my home.  Hence, I am familiar with what Wisconsin has to offer the golfing community.  

My email address is mkavinsky@wi.rr.com.  Please don't hesitate to contact me with your comments or concerns on this event. 

Please join me in making the Upper Great Lakes Golf Outing a well attended and enjoyable golfing event. 

Thank you, 

Marc Kavinsky 

Merton, WI