Irrigation start up

Every spring, one of the most important tasks that we accomplish is recharging the irrigation system. Especially after a winter like we just had, any number of issues can arise. But we charged the system last week, and thus far we have had no major problems.

The irrigation system circulates the water to turfgrass across the property. Every December we drain and blow out the system in preparation for the winter. Then, for 4 months the irrigation system is out of our minds. But by the end of February or early March, we are planning the time to pump water back into the pipes. We try to do it early enough to allow for repairs, but not too early that we risk freezing again.

Although it isn’t hard to recharge the system, it does take patience. It is not as simple as cranking the pumps up to full power, forcing water back to all the corners of the course and walking away. Firing the system up to quickly can cause breaks in the pipe and rushing water can blow right through corners or at the end of a line. Keeping the pressure low while the water slowly moves through the system is key.

Once the entire system has reached full pressure we start monitoring for leaks. We will spend an entire afternoon riding around the entire course, inspecting sprinklers, looking for wet areas or possibly visible water, and periodically checking the pressure gauge at the pump house. We will continually check pressures and watch for leaks all season, but this first afternoon after recharging is a very common time for problems to arise so extra time is given just to observing everything.

Our next step is testing all the sprinklers. We systematically work through every sprinkler on the property, making sure they turn on and operate correctly, clearing the last remaining air from the lines, and most importantly, making sure they turn off when the allotted time is done. Just like we monitor for leaks during the whole season, we are constantly keeping an eye on the sprinklers too, but working through each one now catches 90% of the problems. Spotting and correcting that many problems now gives us confidence as we head into the season that we can rely on the system to operate correctly, rather than discovering issues only once we need to depend on the system for watering.

It is the same routine every season to get water back into the pipes. But taking our time to recharge methodically, checking every sprinkler makes the process smooth and mostly trouble-free.

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please don't start off 10 tee without permission from the Golf Pro Shop.

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

Golf Cart tips

 

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org