Drain lines

A couple of posts back, we discussed the new infrared camera the Grounds department had begun using. We used pictures that included the drain lines present on some of the greens. We received a suggestion that it may be informative to discuss the drain lines themselves in more detail. It would be a good reminder for those who remember the original project and it would be useful information for any new members who may not be aware of the project at all. So, we have included the original project post that our former superintendent and current Director of Grounds/Food and Beverage Director/Assistant GM, Bryan Bupp wrote back when the project commenced:

Bryan's Bytes 03-12-13

On Monday the 19^th, we are starting a capital improvement project to improve drainage on our worst draining greens. I’m sure there is no surprise to you that we will be improving number 7, 13, 14 or 16 green but you may be surprised to know that numbers 1 and 10 also drain poorly. 

With the first four, more obvious problem greens there are compounding problems that create extreme growing environments during the heat of the summer. Number 7 is the worst. The drainage issue on 7 is two-fold with very poor surface drainage (water sits in the middle of the green) and almost no sub-surface drainage (the soil stays wet below the surface, with nowhere for the water to exit). Additionally, there are numerous large trees that create shade and block airflow. Grass needs sunlight to convert water and nutrients into energy and, which also helps with drying wet areas. Grass also needs oxygen which can become limited if the air circulation is impeded by trees. This is why number 7 tends to be the most problematic green at Bretton Woods.

Some of the same issues affect numbers 14 and 16. Although sunlight is not a limiting factor, the relative elevation of those greens limit air movement and their drainage is poor. 13 green may have better air movement but surface drainage is worse than others and the air movement is somewhat limited. For 1 and 10 the sunlight and air movement are adequate but the drainage is very limiting. We have not seen the catastrophic type of damage like we have on number 7 but there is danger lurking.

We will address the drainage by improving the infiltration of water into drainpipes that we will install in the greens. The method is quite simple, we remove the turf where the pipes are to be installed (herringbone design), install the pipe and put the sod back. It takes about two days to complete one green from beginning to end and it will be ready to play as soon as the work is done. We will have a contractor on site performing the work and there will be a temporary hole location in the approach while the work is under way. All the work will be done during the week and no greens should be closed over the weekends.

After the work is complete, there will be both short and long term benefits. In the short term, the firmness of these greens and the quality of the turf will improve quickly. In the long term, we will see marked improvement in each of these greens turf quality and the potential for summer decline is greatly reduced. If Mother Nature cooperates we expect to have all six of the greens done in 3-4 weeks.

Now, over 3 years later the drains are still performing well. Turf quality on these greens has been good. From a golfer’s standpoint, the only real issue with the drains is aesthetics. The lines of sod are very noticeable on most greens, especially #13. A few months after the drains were installed, the original sod became water-logged from a rainstorm and swelled. The grass was then scalped off and had to be re-seeded and regrown. Therefore, the current grass on those lines is still very young and genetically different from any of the grass around it, giving it a much different look. As the turf on the drain lines continues to mature, the contrast with the rest of the green will slowly disappear.

From the Grounds department perspective, the drain lines are working exactly as they should. They remove water from the greens in which they are installed beautifully; so well in fact, that we have to be careful that the lines themselves don’t dry out too fast. We have had some instances where the drain lines are the only dry parts of the green and we have to water directly down the lines.

After 3 years we are still happy with the decision to install the drainage in those 6 greens. The turf grass is much healthier which is great for the Grounds department and golfers are happier because the worst performing greens are as good as all the rest now.

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Golf carts must always remain on cart paths once past the green and white posts, through the next tee complex. This is not weather dependent!

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org