New drain lines

So far, the winter has been mild, allowing us some valuable time for projects. A few cold days mixed in have not stopped us from completing 4 separate drain projects.

Winter is a great time for drain projects, but the weather does have to cooperate. It cannot be so cold that the ground is frozen; it can’t be snow covered; and it can’t be so wet that the work makes such a mess that it is impossible to see the improvement. Luckily, we lined up just the right stretch of weather the last couple of weeks.

The other benefit to tackling projects in the winter is that we can focus all our labor on the task. There is very minimal other course maintenance that needs to take place, so all the staff can help on the project. And with fewer golfers playing (usually!), our interruption is limited.

For each drain we followed the same procedure:

1.       We paint a line where we want the drain to be, and remove the existing sod

2.       Using a trencher, we cut a 4” wide ditch along our planned route to a depth of about 18”

3.       We remove all the spoils from the trench

4.       We put a small amount of pea gravel into the bottom of the trench as a base layer for our pipe

5.       Next, we survey the bottom of the trench, along our pea gravel layer, to ensure there is proper slope to move the water

6.       Then we put the pipe into the trench and cover it with pea gravel- we used 2” pipe because it moves plenty enough water and is easier to work with compared to larger diameter pipes

7.       We fill the remainder of the trench with sand- in our case we had enough old bunker sand salvaged from other work to use in all our trenches

8.       Once the trench is full, the sod is replaced, and the area is cleaned

 

Removing the sod from the drain
on #11 approach

We started with a drain in #11 approach, starting from about mid-way across the approach and moving towards the left side. The existing slope is just slow enough, that water is too slow to move off. This causes issues for the Bermuda grass and impacts playability in a highly used area. There was already an existing drain in the left rough to which we were able to connect.

The pipe in place on #11

Next, we extended a drain across the entire width of #1 fairway, about 60 yards short of the green. Starting in the right rough, we trenched a line across at an angle to the creek on the right side. Our new drain empties directly into the creek. We actually found several old drain lines along our route, but they were either too deep to still be effective or appeared clogged.

The pain line showing our route
for the drain on #1 fairway

After we have put the pipe but before we
have covered it with pea gravel

We then moved our efforts to #8 fairway. We completed new drains in two separate locations on #8. First, we added new lines to a wet area approximately 160-170 yards out from the green, in the center of the fairway. Again, there was an existing drainpipe near this location to which we were able to connect.

Finally, the most extensive work took place further back towards #8 tee, just at the bend in the cart path. We added several new lines in this spot. And once again we were able to connect to an existing drain line.

Trenching is finished at our last work site
on #8 fairway

Taking advantage of the good weather allowed us to eliminate 4 of our most troublesome drainage issues, adding about 800 feet of new pipe. We will cross these locations off our list and prepare for the next priority.

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Winter cart path rules are now in effect to protect the dormant Bermuda grass- we will scatter much less and be more restrictive with blue flags. 

Also, as part of a Golf Committee initiative to improve course etiquette, we have included links to videos teaching proper on course etiquette. Please take a moment to watch:

Ball Marks - How to properly repair

Bunker etiquette

 

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org