Basically the only two contestants in my mind for products were Toro and Rainbird. I'm sure you have heard of both of these companies. Both have excellent reputations. All of their products are very good, so good in fact that I actually lost sleep some nights trying to figure out which product to use. Justin, Tony and I often joke about the fact that each one of us could sell their products because we are so knowledgeable about both companies.
After many phone calls, visits, discussions and presentations I made my decision. I felt that it would benefit Vail Golf Club the most to be outfitted entirely with Rainbird products. Service is highly important and is ultimately the driving force with purchasing a product like this. The local distributor is Grand Junction Pipe and Supply and they are located in Gypsum, CO. From the pumping system and central control, to the sprinkler heads with Rainbird we will be able to achieve our goals for the replacement of the irrigation system.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Snow Pack
Today is Tuesday, January 20th, Barack Obama was sworn into office today. Vail Golf Club currently has about 30 inches on snow on top of it.
Thank You
Almost three years of research it has taken me to get to this point. In three years I have seen thousands of gallons of water wasted on this property. I have seen countless feet of pvc pipe and fittings go in and out of the ground here. I have seen small holes and rather large holes, some dry, most of them wet, very wet!
My assistants and interns have been getting excellent work-outs each year digging through the cobble just to find and fix another break. In fact I have gone home many nights, just praying that they will actually show up to work again!
I write this blog to thank everyone that has made it possible that Vail Golf Club has made it to this point. First I have to thank my staff, especially Justin Gompf and Tony Giroux for putting up with "the mess". I remember explicitly this past spring when the two of them were fixing a mainline break behind the 16th green. At about the 13th hour of them digging, de-watering, cutting, gluing, etc. I asked if there was anything else I could do to help. They both looked up at me, neck deep in this mess and said, "Yes, beer and a new irrigation system".
I also need to thank Mike Ortiz, director of the VRD who stayed positive about the entire process. He always told me, "It's gonna happen!". Alice Plain and Jeanne Sutherland, the most wonderful and best golf staff I could ever work with. The VRD Board of Directors have been supportive from day one. Stan and Pam and the entire TOV staff and council.
The fun is just about to begin!
My assistants and interns have been getting excellent work-outs each year digging through the cobble just to find and fix another break. In fact I have gone home many nights, just praying that they will actually show up to work again!
I write this blog to thank everyone that has made it possible that Vail Golf Club has made it to this point. First I have to thank my staff, especially Justin Gompf and Tony Giroux for putting up with "the mess". I remember explicitly this past spring when the two of them were fixing a mainline break behind the 16th green. At about the 13th hour of them digging, de-watering, cutting, gluing, etc. I asked if there was anything else I could do to help. They both looked up at me, neck deep in this mess and said, "Yes, beer and a new irrigation system".
I also need to thank Mike Ortiz, director of the VRD who stayed positive about the entire process. He always told me, "It's gonna happen!". Alice Plain and Jeanne Sutherland, the most wonderful and best golf staff I could ever work with. The VRD Board of Directors have been supportive from day one. Stan and Pam and the entire TOV staff and council.
The fun is just about to begin!
Notice to Proceed
Landscapes Unlimited has been given the "go" to move with ordering supplies for the irrigation renovation. We have really been fortunate with the latest turn of events in our economy that have generated excellent pricing for supplies. In the last 6 months HDPE pipe has gone down 7-10% in price. Also, wire is at a two year low and has gone down about 2.5%. These are cost savings that looked pretty bleak back in August of 2008.
Landscapes Unlimited
After all of the bids, interviews and value engineering discussions we have found a contractor to do the irrigation project. Landscapes Unlimited has been awarded the contract and will begin in April. Landscapes most recently completely renovated the irrigation system at Pole Creek Golf Club in Granby, CO. They are one of the largest golf course construction companies in the world right now and are currently building Tiger Woods' new golf course in Dubai.
Landscapes Unlimited has an extensive resume in Colorado alone with work at Red Sky Ranch, Beaver Creek G.C., Colorado Golf Club, Maroon Creek, and the Broadmoor, just to name a few. The irrigation crew that is assigned to Vail has just finished a golf course with similar soils in Utah. They came highly recommended and all of us here at Vail Golf Club are excited to begin the working relationship with them.
Landscapes Unlimited has an extensive resume in Colorado alone with work at Red Sky Ranch, Beaver Creek G.C., Colorado Golf Club, Maroon Creek, and the Broadmoor, just to name a few. The irrigation crew that is assigned to Vail has just finished a golf course with similar soils in Utah. They came highly recommended and all of us here at Vail Golf Club are excited to begin the working relationship with them.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Plenty of Snow
A bit more snow this first weekend of the new year. We have our annual Open House for the Nordic Community. We are looking forward to another great year of Nordic skiing at the golf course. With the purchase of the new snowcat grooming has never been better. We will be grooming right through the end of March. Enjoy!
A new year
I apologize for not writing in a while, however let me update you on the latest happenings at Vail Golf Club. After the pre-bid meeting we accepted bids and selected the three lowest bids. Those three companies were American Landscape, Landscapes Unlimited and Formost. All three companies have exceptional experience with irrigation installations.
After interviews each company expressed their "value engineering" and we had the opportunity to discuss how they would perform while spending their time in Vail.
Through all of this Landscapes Unlimited came through with the lowest responsible bid for the project. It has been recommended by Larry Rodgers Design Group and the VRD staff to the TOV that we award them the contract. We should have a final decision by January 9th.
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