Drainage work on hole 18

Typically, in the off-season, one of our main goals is to install more drainage on the course, and this year was no different. Although we have handled most of the immediate drainage concerns, there are always more areas in need of attention. This year we focused on hole #18.

Managing surface water is one of, if not the most important strategy for improving turf health and playability. A myriad of issues arise from water being left on top of the grass and poor conditions follow quickly. Similarly, playability declines rapidly in soggy conditions. The winter months are the perfect time to do this work as we have staff available and no regular maintenance of the turf to perform.

First, we added a drain along the immediate edge of the cart path near 18 green. This was a trouble area for some time, and we were finally able to tackle the issue. Between rain washing down the hill, or irrigation water trickling onto the cart path, a certain area right along the edge is where all this excess water accumulated. Slowly, a muddy section of turf developed. Even though another drain exists just into the fairway from the cart path, we still wanted to catch most, if not all the water before it made it onto the turf. So, we installed a linear drain- like what you might see on a pool deck- right along the edge of the cart oath. Now, water coming down the hill will have an entry into the drainage system before making it onto the grass. In heavy flow situations, the drain in the fairway will still provide backup and catch water also.

From that spot, we moved back down 18 fairway near the 200-yard mark. Here we mapped out 350 linear feet of new subsurface drainage to install. During heavy rainstorms, or just after the rain has stopped, we often drive the course to see where water remains and where it is very slow to drain. These are areas that we then earmark for new drainage, which is exactly what we did on #18. This portion of the fairway is also plagued by very poor soil, with many more rocks than most any other place on the course. Poor drainage (prior to our new installation) and poor soil are two of the greatest contributing factors to the poor turf health in this section of the fairway. This year’s drainage will start to help in this situation.

Although most of our highest priority drains have been installed, every year we still have more areas to capture water. We only focused on hole #18, but we were able to finish two separate trouble areas this winter.

 

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.

Here is a link to a recent article regarding bunker maintenance for golfers.

https://golf.com/lifestyle/bunker-care-mistakes-golfers-make/

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

Golf Cart tips

 

 

 

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org