Irrigation System Update

Irrigation System Update

November 9^th, 2011

FLCC Golfing Members,                                                                                 

I hope you all have been enjoying this mild fall on the track at FLCC.  The weather has been decent for golf and good for golf course improvements like our irrigation system.

Directional Bore #5 Creek

I am happy to report that holes #1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,11, 13,15,18, and the putting green are completed.  That leaves #10, 12 14, 16 and 17 – Five more holes to go before the snow flies!

Most of the work is underground and to the right you can see the horizontal drilling we did under #5 to connect the greens irrigation complex.

Week of November 11^th – Install the irrigation system on holes #10 and #12 and repair gate valves.

Week of November 14^th – Install the irrigation on holes 14, 16, and finally #17.  Ryan’s crew will begin blowing out the completed systems for the winter.

Week of November 21^st  - Complete wiring to satellite control and spray zones.  All underground work completed.

As we dug up our 50 year old system we were sure to find some surprises, both good and bad.  We found a few isolation valves that were broken and inoperable.  This would have been a hot issue if we ever needed to isolate part of the golf course and they didn’t work.  But these valves are being replaced this week.  The cost of these valves is minor but the ability to isolate the system is important.

Gate Valve at Tie-in #18

On the positive side FLCC’s new Greens Superintendent, Ryan Moore, and his team were able to utilize the old hydraulic system in new ways.  They connected the old hydraulic lines to individual sprinkler heads in the fairways.  This took some of our zone areas and made them individual control heads. Individual control is the key to manage turf water requirements and we made these improvements without any additional cost.

  This winter Ryan and his crew will be simulating the irrigation system and developing watering routines to utilize the control we have added to FLCC.  They will have the software, and our new GPS located irrigation plan uploaded on the new computer station so that they can become comfortable with the new controls as well as familiarize themselves with new irrigation software programs.

The members of FLCC have been very cooperative with our construction and the work force would like to thank you for your patience and understanding.

 Remember: Safety is all of our responsibility.  Please help protect the safety of the workers as they make the improvements to our gem of a golf course.

On behalf of the Board of Directors and Members we thank you for your support.

Yours truly,

Frank Taube
President
Forest Lake C.C.

PS. I hope to see many of you at the Gourmet Dinner next Saturday the 18th.  I can’t wait to see what Chef Jim has in store for all of us and the wine committee is sure to please at this event!

Winterizing the Irrigation System

On Monday November 14th we spent the day winterizing the irrigation system.  Although we are not quite finished with construction, (irrigation still to be installed this week on #16 and #17) this is part of the process of putting the golf course to bed for the winter.  We will test all the new sprinklers installed this fall, in the spring time when we turn on the irrigation system.  In the spring we will ensure that everything is working to peak performance.




Blowing the water out of #7 Fairway








Compressor set-up behind the Club House

Frost

Over the past weekend we finally experienced our first heavy frosts of the year delaying tee times to 10 - 10:30.  We would like to thank the early morning golfers in being patient as frost becomes a waiting game for the course to become available for play.  Cart and Foot traffic in a heavy frost can/will cause damage to the turf, which will not be able to recover until we have suitable growing weather in the spring. 
     The above photo of 1 green, as well as the rest of the putting surfaces at Forest Lake did not have frost this weekend.  The reason for this is a product "Civitas" that we included this year in our winter fungicide protection program. Civitas has created a coating on the turf plants eliminating dew from accumulating, and thus no moisture for frost to form.  Although not the goal for the product but an interesting side benefit that will last 3-5 days.