Week of Nov. 13th: Irrigation Blowout
- Michael Curtin
- Nov 17, 2023
- 2 min read
This week the agronomy team was focused on some very important end of year tasks. The irrigation system was blown out on Tuesday and winter pesticide applications were started on greens. A few drainage issues were also addressed by our irrigation technician Marcelo.
Irrigation Blowout:
Every year as winter approaches the irrigation system needs to be blown out to protect it from potential ice damage. This process involved the use of a 1600 CFM air compressor to force air through the miles of underground pipe across the course. The compressed air forces the water in the pipes out of the irrigation heads and other exit points. Our system has over 1200 heads and quick couplers, all of which need to be blown out.
Below is a video of an opened pond drain during blow out:
Snow Mold Applications:
Some of the most important pesticide applications that we do every year are actually the last ones of the season. These applications are done to protect turf from winter diseases which can severely injure turf during the off season and greatly set back the course for the start of next season. These applications will be done on the greens, tees, and fairways over the next few weeks. On days were spraying is occuring, some extra steps may be taken to ensure the efficacy of the application. This could include steps like making sprayed fairways cart path only temporarily to ensure the application has adequate dry time before carts traffic occurs.
Drainage:
The failed drain near the 4th white tee that was previously discovered has been addressed. The pipe itself could not be fully unblocked so a length of pipe running to the surface was added. A drain cap was placed at the surface to allow water to bubble out. Drainage rock was also added below the surface around the area to help diffuse the water as it backs up in the pipe. This will hopefully be enough to eliminate the wet/muddy spot that always formed. We will revisit this area if it becomes necessary in the future.
A drainage issue on the right side of the 8th fairway was also addressed this week. After Marcelo had dug the area up he found two cut drainage pipes near the functioning drainage system. One of these pipes was capped while the other was incorporated back into the drainage system. Below are some pictures showing the work:
Range Floor/Field:
The previously aerated range floor/field was dormant seeded this week and topdressed with compost. We will be topdressing the range floor with compost again in the spring and possibly over the winter if conditions allow. The composting will benefit the range floor in the upcoming season.
Other Work Completed:
Continued leaf cleanup across the course
Bunkers were blown out and raked
Coolers and ballwashers were removed from the course for the season due to freezing at night.
Previously cleaned area on right side of 3 was gone through for large debris and small brush lopped
