Like Putting Lipstick On A Pig

That is probably the best way to describe what were are doing on the driving range to upgrade the system operation.

The irrigation renovation project as whole does not include the driving range, due to the fact that in the next several years the current landforms will change. The current target greens will be relocated, bunkering and fairways will also be added for more purposeful practicing. This project has not yet been approved and will more than likely take several years to get back on the Green Committees radar.

For the short term, we will be upgrading the irrigation components on the range by recycling some of the better parts coming out of the ground from the old system. These items will include heads that are less that four years old, swing joints and new station wiring.

This new wiring will give us the ability to re-wire the remaining old system on the range and have it function as apart of the new irrigation system. For the last several years the irrigation on the driving range has been inoperable most of the time with brief periods of moderate functionality.

I have been asked many times over the years why the range is always off color and the answer is that only a portion of it effectively communicates with the central computer. Additionally a significant number of heads do not even function because of station wiring issues and sprinkler failures. With the work we are currently undertaking, the driving range should give the appearance of being a part of the new system even though it is not.

Station Wiring Strung Out

Wire Plowed Into The Ground

Not Even 24 Hours

Well I knew it would be a matter of time before we had our first break of the year, but I was not expecting to happen this fast.

The system was charged yesterday afternoon and things were looking good at the pump house; pressure was maintaining and no slow leaks appeared to be occurring. What surprises me the most was the fact that a break occurred with our pumps running 1/3 of the pressure that has been run for the last 23 years.

This fact proves how much of a ticking time bomb we still have with the old irrigation system components. I will be holding my breath until the time comes in June when we will be fully operational with the new system.

Here We Go Again

Seven weeks after blowing out the irrigation system, we began the process of pressuring back up. Today marks the first operation of the new pump station after it has been renovated for the new system requirements.

The initial startup was done by the company that installed the components to ensure that we follow proper operating procedures. This is critical for two reasons; the first being that we don’t cause any damage to the pump station or down stream components and most importantly is the protection of the manufactures warranty.

The need for pressuring back is largely due to the fact that many of the southern exposure areas are in need of water. We have been using water tankers up to this point, but now the areas requiring water are too many to effectively keep up. Additionally many of these exposed areas contain large areas of sod that was cut and reinstalled as a part of the mainline installation. It is essential that we maintain adequate moisture levels in the newly laid sod, so that a 100% survival rate occurs.

The New Pumps In Place
Close Up of The Control System

Don’t Fool Mother Nature

Over the last several days we have been enjoying some above average temperatures, which has caused the significant areas of melting to begin. Due to the nature of the severe mounding found throughout the course the runoff flows directly into the fairways.

In efforts to help prevent significant ice formation from occurring, snow is being removed from some of the northern exposure areas in the fairways. This is being done to help reduce the amount of ice that forms under the snow cover found in the fairways. By removing the snow before the runoff occurs, these fairway areas will be able to better absorb and utilize the precious moisture for plant life support.

We do not remove the snow entirely from these areas, because the turfgrass underneath has not hardened off due to the protective insulation provided by the snow cover. I believe it is more beneficial if the turf hardens itself over the next several days or week as the remaining snow layer slowly melts away. If the protective snow cover is removed too quickly then Crown hydration (cold temperature damage) can occur to the turf.

Some things are better left for Mother Nature to control, but when human manipulation is necessary great care must be taken not shoot yourself in the foot.

Tree Care

Of all winter maintenance activities on the golf course one of the most time consuming is tree maintenance. During the growing season the focus is placed towards turfgrass health and playing conditions and tree care is often overlooked at this time. In all reality it is probably best that we are forced to do the majority our tree care during the off season because, this is the best time to do these maintenance items.

Pruning is the most common tree maintenance procedure done and it is essential for development of a tree with a strong structure, and desirable form. All Pruning should be done with an understanding of how the tree responds to each cut. Improper pruning can cause damage that will last for the life of the tree, or worse harm or kill the tree.

Basic pruning involves removing diseased or insect-infested wood, thinning the crown to increase air and light flow and reduce some pest problems. Pruning can best be used to encourage trees to develop a strong structure and reduce the likelihood of damage during severe weather. Removing broken or damaged limbs encourages wound closure and helps reduce insect and disease attacks.

Proper Pruning Techniques


Do:

• Locate the Branch Bark Ridge (BBR)
• Find point A (outside BBR)
• Find point B Branch Bark Collar( BBC)
• Cut from point A to Point B
  

Do Not:

• Make flush cuts behind BBR
• Leave living or dead stubs
• Injure or remove BBR
• Seal cuts with tree paint
  

What Is In A Number?

Have you ever wondered how snow totals equate to rain in terms of true precipitation rates? The rule of thumb has always been 10” of snow will equal 1” of rain, but is it true?

Like anything there are numerous variables in place such as humidity and temperature that will affect the specific density of a snow flake. A higher density of a flake leads to a higher moisture content found. One of the main factors that dictate the moisture content found in snow is the air temperature at the time of snowfall.

The U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) uses a conversion table for estimation, with snow/water ratios increasing from 10:1 to 100:1 as surface temperature decreases:

Surface Snow/waterTemperature Ratio

28-34 °F 10:1
20-27 °F 15:1
15-19 °F 20:1
10-14 °F 30:1
0-9 °F 40:1
-20 to -1 °F 50:1
-40 to -21 °F 100:1

Soil Horizons

A soil horizon is a specific layer in the soil which measures parallel to the soil surface and possesses physical characteristics which differ from the layers above and beneath.

The term 'horizon' describes each of the distinctive layers that occur in a soil. Each soil type has at least one, usually three or four different horizons and these are described by soil scientists when seeking to classify soils (Soil-Net). Horizons are defined in most cases by obvious physical features, color and texture being chief among them. These may be described both in absolute terms (particle size distribution for texture, for instance) and in terms relative to the surrounding material, ie, ‘coarser’ or ‘sandier’ than the horizons above and below.

O) Organic matter: Litter layer of plant residues in relatively undecomposed form.

A) Surface soil: Layer of mineral soil with most organic matter accumulation and soil life.

B) Subsoil: Layer of alteration below an "E" or "A" horizon. This layer accumulates iron, clay, aluminum and organic compounds, a process referred to as illuviation.

C) Substratum: Layer of unconsolidated soil parent material. This layer may accumulate the more soluble compounds that bypass the "B" horizon.

These horizons were on full display throughout the installation of the mainline on the course. It was amazing to see how different the A horizon layer was from hole to hole. During construction of the golf course the topsoil (A horizon) was stripped off and stockpiled for redistribution after the rough shaping was completed.

Distinctly Visible A Horizon Layer

Weather it occurred in the final shaping or from the spreading of the topsoil, the A horizon layer varies significantly. Some areas we have only four inches whereas other areas have as much as ten inches. Seeing some of these areas first hand helped explain why the turf consistently struggles in certain areas no mater how much the surface is modified.

Snow Management

One of the biggest challenges we deal with in the winter is managing the snowfall received. I am not referring to snow removal from the paring lots at the clubhouse, but rather management of snow on the vital play areas on the golf course.

We routinely remove snow from our four most shaded greens after each snow event. This is done to help prevent any ice build up from occurring due to the freezing and thawing that takes place where extended snow cover occurs. The timing of the removal revolves around predicted forecast, so that we are not clearing greens prior to the onset of extremely low temperatures. When cold weather is predicted we will leave the snow on the green to insulate it until the extreme temperatures pass and then remove the snow from the greens. This is a cycle that takes place throughout the entire winter. Due to the constant snow removal we have to add supplemental moisture to these greens in the form of hand watering. It is not uncommon to see the greens being watered when the surrounding areas are still deep in snow cover.
A Cleared Green


Wildlife also has an effect on snow found on the golf course. With herds of both Elk and Deer roaming the property they cause a distinct set of issues. The constant foot traffic causes compaction of the snow, which can lead to the formation of ice below potentially causing a smothering from extended ice cover. Additionally one of the other unique problems that occur comes from where the animals bed down. Their body heat melts the snow leaving large areas of exposed turf. It seems like the animals target our most problematic areas on the course, which forces us to either hand water or physically add snow back to these areas.
Snow Melt From Animals Bedding Down

Adding Snow Cover Back To Exposed Areas

I have often said that managing a golf course in Colorado in the winter is far more difficult than in the summer.

Saved By The Snow

A little over four weeks ago the irrigation system was blown out as a part of our normal winter preparations. During this time we took the opportunity to convert the existing pump station as well as add a new booster station. While this work was taking place we were fortunate to have snow cover on the ground protecting the turf.

Last week the warm Chinook winds came in and quickly removed significant portions of snow throughout the golf course. We began operating two water tankers on the course and began watering stressed tree drip lines as well as southern exposed mounds. This process is very slow and inefficient, due to the large amount of areas that are in need of attention.

The timing of this eight inch powder could not have been better, because if it had not fallen we would be pressuring up the frost free component of the irrigation system. This would have proven to be a challenge due to the fact that some the pump station work has not been completed. The main pump station is complete, but the new booster station is waiting for power service to be brought in.

The Booster station requires three phase 440 volt service which unfortunately is not easily available. A portion of the work has been done by setting the transformer, but we are still waiting for the power to be run in from IREA. One of the last obstacles we are dealing with now is getting the power across Country Club Drive which sits on cap rock. Current plans are to bore under the road, but I am not so sure how well that will work based on what I have seen during other phases of the project so far.

This segment of work has been the most frustrating for me since this process was started back in September with IREA. We have dealt with several hurdles along the way such as; finding a nearby power source, acquiring easements from adjacent property owners and lastly meeting schedule. All in all things seem to be working out even though the timing has not been perfect or gone exactly as planned.

Where’s The Substance?

About a week ago I attended a local Turfgrass Conference and Tradeshow here in town and I have to say that there was a definite lack of substance. By that I mean obviously in these tough economic times many venders had a smaller presence which is understandable, but the lectures that were given were thin on information.

At first glance of the brochure that contained the list of speakers and topics that were going to be presented several interested me. Unfortunately my interest was quickly lost by speakers who offered little new information on the topics they were presenting. Even worse was the fact that some of the techniques that were being discussed were factually incorrect and did not even apply to the topic at hand. Unfortunately many of these speakers spend most of their time in academia, where there is little connection to real world situations.

Out with the Old

Over the course of the winter we will be removing some of the old irrigation system components. The old satellite controllers on the first five holes are the first items that will be removed.

These items will be carefully removed, so that some of them can be re-sold for pennies on the dollar. Unfortunately the components we are removing do not have a great market for resale, but it’s worth the effort to see if we can get anything for them.

Aside from salvaging the components the areas that the old controllers once stood will be regraded and sodded over to hide any signs of them ever being there. Obviously this portion of the work will not be able to be completed until spring time, once the ground thaws out and sod can be cut.

Disconnecting the Wires
Remaining wires from a controller

Programming

Along with the new irrigation system comes the programming of the new software that will control it. Our old system has Rainbird heads that are controlled by Cirrus software, the new system has Toro heads that will be controlled by Sitepro.

Fortunately I have most of the off season to complete the data input and initial programming of the new control system. The most difficult part of this process is becoming bilingual with both software systems that have drastically different ways of inputting data and executing programming. The learning curve for the new software has been a little steep, but through repetition comes proficiency.

Next spring into early summer my desk will look like mission control with multiple computers and monitors operating both systems at the same time. This will be a juggling act of hydraulically making the old and new play nice with each other. Each week as the new components are installed, I will be constantly adjusting pump station and mainline flows so that undue stress is not applied to the system.

National Recognition

Recently Castle Pines Village was ranked second in Golfweek for residential golf communities. You can read the full article here.
http://denver.yourhub.com/CastleRock/Stories/Business/Story~552175.aspx

Looking Ahead

Even though work on the irrigation installation has just ended for the year, we have already begun looking ahead to next year’s schedule for completion of the project.

Tentative work schedules are being developed right now to ensure that staffing meets my expectations to successfully complete the remainder of the work ahead. A slow ramping up of staffing is not an option; a commitment of almost over staffing will need to be done to make certain our goals are met.

The Last Hurrah

The window for mainline installation for this season is quickly closing. In the last couple of weeks we have begun to receive regular snows and with night time temperatures plunging, the ground is becoming less workable.

The contractor will be shutting down operations this coming Friday and will leave the project well behind schedule for the year. We had hoped to complete all mainline installation this fall, but fell short due to the contractor not being properly staffed or equipped at the start of the project. The problems began when significant rock was hit on the upper holes which everyone was aware existed, but this problem was ignored until it was too late.

Next March the contractor is scheduled to return and complete the remainder of the project by the middle of June. It will be difficult at best to accomplish this goal with the remaining workload ahead. A strong commitment of man and machine must take place in order to make meeting this deadline possible. The one thing that is for sure is that the weather will be wildly unpredictable in the Rocky Mountains come spring time.

10,000

It is hard to believe that this blog has reached 10,000 hits since I first started it last February.

The blog started out as a communication tool to be used for my membership to better understand what is taking place on the golf course. The blog has become much more than that as it continues to evolve. Over the course of the last several months, I have helped fellow Golf Course Superintendents develop their own blogs and even had some of my materials printed in trade publications.

My timing of starting this blog could not have been better due to the fact that it has been extremely helpful for the documentation of an irrigation renovation process. Early on before the renovation was approved, the blog helped show the daily struggles we were going through that most people weren’t even aware of. Once construction began this fall I have been posting the daily struggles and accomplishments of our contractor as the installation takes place. My commentary along with the photographs will freeze this major construction project in time for people to be able to look back upon with great satisfaction.

I would like to thank everyone who takes the time out of their day to visit and hopefully enjoy what has become one of the things I look forward to doing each day.

Booster Station

The new booster station has been installed at the driving range. The booster station will feed a separate mainline that will supply the upper holes (#1,#2,#3 and the driving range) on the course.

This is referred to as the high pressure zone, while the lower holes on the course will rely on gravity to increase pressure as the water travels from hole to hole. The remaining fifteens holes will be in the low pressure zone due to the new reduced discharge pressure coming out of the main pump station. The upper holes now require a second pump station that boosts the pressure to 100PSI.

Combining these two pump stations I will now have at total flow of 2700 GPM, which will allow me to water the golf course in a much shorter time period. The old pump station setup only allowed me to pump 1750GPM.

The booster station will be concealed in a concrete vault that is located on the far eastern side of the driving range. The vault was built to specifications that would allow ample room to house the new pumps, electrical controls and also allowing for adequate air circulation.

The size of the vault is 17ft by 17ft with at depth of 10ft. This vault was shipped in three separate pieces due to the weight of the components. All three pieces have a combined weigh over 100 tons. Once the work has been completed in the vault, it will be backfilled and only the ventilation snorkels will be visible above the ground.

Digging the pit for the vault
Leveling the base for the vault

Picking up one of the vault pieces
Setting the vault floor
Core drilling a hole for the mainline pipe

Pump components

Side view of vault in the ground

Pump House Improvements

Work has begun at the pump house with the removal of the old pumps, motors and control panel. These old pumps were one of the primary causes for the numerous failures to the PVC pipe and fittings.

The pumps discharged from the station at 150 PSI pushing a high volume of water up the hill to the first hole, from there the water was regulated with a series of pressure reducing valves down stream. The PRV’s (pressure reducing valves) were dealing with very high pressures that had to be lowered so that the pipe would not constantly blow out of the ground. This task was made more difficult due to the significant elevation changes (600ft) found over the golf course property.

The new pumps will be discharging from the station at only 50 PSI, which will make the pressure control down stream much easier. The new system will also have PRV valves located at every 100 foot of elevation change to properly manage pressures. Combine this with the use of HDPE piping, the system as a whole should have little or no problem with failures.

Removing Old Pumps

Empty Pump Skid

Clearing The Way

In efforts to keep the project moving forward my staff has begun to remove snow from the current areas where pipe installation is taking place.

One of the first areas that must be cleared is the cart paths, so that both mine and the contractor’s staff can get around. After that we can then focus on the area in which pipe is currently being installed. The snow is removed either by hand or with equipment such as a tractor mounted snow blower.

Blow Out

One of the final procedures performed to the golf course before winter sets in is the blow out of the irrigation system.

Blowing out is done by using compressed air to physically remove all of the water from the underground piping. This is done to protect the pipes and sprinklers from damage caused by the expanding water when freezing occurs. The new HDPE pipe will expand and not be harmed by the freezing, but the non HDPE materials will still break.

The New Sprinklers Being Blown Out Last week

The new sprinklers were blown out last week while the weather was still nice, whereas the old system heads are being blown out this week. From this point forward I will have to be more careful with the timing of blowout due to the freezing sensitivity of the new heads. This timing is critical so that the last watering is done to the course before temperatures consistently stay below freezing.

Blow Out Today

Fortunately we will still have the ability to water the golf course during the winter even after blow out has occurred. Similar to the old irrigation system, the new system will have a frost free irrigation component. I will have the ability to water the main play areas such as greens, tees and fairways with quick coupler valves located every 110 feet.