A rainy day can ruin a day on the golf course, but a lack of rain and snow nearly caused a disaster for Tiara Rado Golf Course this spring.

Drought has come to be expected in the West over the past few decades and Grand Junction has seen its share of dry weather. It’s something golf courses, including the two city-operated courses — Tiara Rado and Lincoln Park — have to account for, Grand Junction Director of Golf Tim Tafoya said.

“We have to get some help from Mother Nature to begin with,” Tafoya said. “We’ve been in drought-like conditions the last several years. Even at Tiara Rado, we haven’t had much snow coverage the last couple of years. So there hasn’t been any moisture setting in over the wintertime.”

Unlike most city parks, which fall under the Parks and Recreation Department,

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