Assistant's View: Fusion

The electro-fusion machine is our newest irrigation tool.  This machine will allow us to repair our HDPE pipe.  The way this machine works is there are two electrodes that stick out of the repair coupling that are connected to wires that run around the inside of the coupling.  This machine heats the electrodes and wires to a temperature that will melt the HDPE and weld the coupler and pipe together.  Each coupler has a bar code that the machine reads to determine how hot and how long it needs to heat  the coupler to get a perfect weld.   It’s very important that the pipe and couple are clean and free of debris to get a good weld.  The first step in fusion is to scrape the HDPE pipe to get a fresh layer of material visible.  Then I clean it with isopropyl alcohol to remove any oil that may have been left behind from handling it.   Once the pipe is clean I can then slide the couple on and make sure everything is lined up properly.  I then use the optical pen to read the bar code that tells the machine what size and density the pipe is. The last step is to hook up the electrodes and hit the start button.  For two inch pipe it takes about 45 seconds and it’s done.  The first project that I have used this machine on is repairing irrigation lines around the new bridge construction on 11 and 17.  We will be using it next on 7 tee to install irrigation on the newly built tee.  With all the construction going on here this will be a very useful tool to be able to repair pipe or add new irrigation when needed.  

Putting Your Mind To It

I knew I would figure it out sooner or later. I guess shorter days, frost and laying off the seasonal staff gives me the time to really expand on the blog. As you may have noticed I posted the irrigation as-builts of the first hole for you to view.
This is the new system on paper. You can click on it for a closer look.
Let me explain what you are viewing in a nutshell.
The "red line" signifies the mainline and the red symbols mark each lateral valve. The black lines identify the 2" lateral lines from the mainline. The full or part circles mark each sprinkler head. The part circles are adjustable heads located on the perimeter of the property or around the putting surfaces.
Each station or sprinkler head has two sets of numbers associated with them. The first set of numbers represents the decoder "address" (ex. 38522) for that station. For example, a 6 station decoder can operate up to 6 different irrigation heads. There is a five digit address for each station and that is how the central computer communicates with the sprinkler head.
The second set of numbers at each head represents that sprinkler head's "name". For example 1F-20 (1st hole fairway, station #20) which represents that valve-in head in the Rainbird computer programing. This is Rainbird's way of simplifying the process for irrigation managers to locate and name each station, instead of remembering a 5 digit number. There are 7 categories for naming irrigation heads. The seven categories for our system are greens, tees, fairways, approaches, greens surrounds, rough and miscellaneous.
By this time next year, Justin, Tony and I will have memorized about 80% of the "names" for all of the irrigation heads on the property. It just comes with the job.

New System: Dry Course Part 1

(This is a multiple part blog about the future effects of the new irrigation system here in Vail.)

I guess when some people hear about a new irrigation system they expect green and lush fairways. Those people must not golf. The entire purpose of this project was to use water efficiently. So I made sure that the important aspects of an irrigation system were in place. Flow and pressure were a major upgrade, pipe size has doubled and flow has tripled. Spacing of sprinkler heads has been corrected and is consistent throughout the entire golf course. With these factors addressed now I can appropriately irrigate to what the turf actually needs.

Over the years of a weaker system, it is easy to over compensate many areas of the course to achieve that"Augusta Effect" so many golfers wish to have. Superintendents have spoiled golfers over the years giving them an illusion that some areas are greener than what actually may appear! By over compensating with water you can begin a cycle that can become hard to stray from. Water-hungry plants like poa annua can be very intrusive throughout the property and take away from other beneficial plants on the golf course. Over the next few seasons I will be learning how to accurately use the system to provide the right color green on the golf course. Over the next week, I will continue to blog about the differences of the old vs. new system and how the learning process has begun.

Final Walkthrough

I know this picture is not the clearest, but here is Larry's iphone with an application to ensure this irrigation head is level. The red dot indicates that digging this head up again is unnecessary. Larry and I will finish the day checking the system and making sure everything is working properly for the substantial completion tomorrow.
We will be meeting with Gregg and members of Grand Junction pipe to go over all warranty items.

Moving Out

Landscapes Unlimited has loaded up their equipment and have for the most part left the golf course. Over the next two weeks a small crew of employees will be putting finishing touches on the system. Each sprinkler head and valve has been re-visited to ensure they are working properly and each head is level.

Finishing Details

18 holes are complete with the irrigation renovation. All that remains are punch list items that will be addressed over the next two weeks. Closures for golf are over and 18 will be available for play as of today. You will notice irrigation being installed at the island area behind the 17th green. This area has a greater potential for more outings and events. Irrigation will provide us to maintain the plants to their fullest and incorporate a better stand of grass.

During the next two weeks, Landscapes Unlimited will be checking all of the heads and valves throughout the course to make sure everything is working properly. They will finish removing old heads and satellite boxes. Once the remaining distance markers for the new heads arrive, they will be placed as well.

The Range

The driving range has been neglected over the years due to the lack of irrigation control. The biggest difference that you will notice with the range and the other areas of the course are the dry soil conditions. It's amazing that anything could grow at all out there. It is so clear in this picture how dry it really is.

I welcome the challenge to increase the aesthetic and agronomic value of the driving range.

Re-Visit the Bubble

For those of you new to the Vail Golf Club you may know nothing about the "bubble". This former winter landmark on the driving range was erected each year to house another sheet of ice during the winter months. The remains of the "bubble" exist underground in the middle of the driving range floor. Pictured here is the concrete foundation and an asphalt apron. Most of these areas are covered with a few inches of soil and very weak turf. In order for Landscapes to properly install the piping to the range floor they must hammer through the concrete to the appropriate depth.

To remove these permanent features will be extremely expensive. So as we move forward, we battle with a "feast or famine scenario". Poor drainage in the spring which results in stagnant, anaerobic conditions, followed by dry conditions in the summer due to the previous lack of irrigation and shallow root systems. With the lack of soil we will continue to fight this battle. In the years ahead we look to incorporate some sort of topdressing to alleviate these stresses.

Final Staking

Thursday, bright and early, Larry Rodgers will be on-site for the final time staking heads for the course. The 10th hole and the driving range are the final areas that remain to be renovated. The project is going smooth right now and we are on schedule. Once all of the holes are complete there remains work to be completed around the course. First we will be testing pipe and heads throughout to ensure everything is working properly. Removal of old heads and satellite boxes. The rest of the holes need to have distance markers installed onto heads. Finally any other items that need to be repaired before they leave the site.

Monday and Tuesday next week, plan on the driving range to be closed. Installation of new heads will be completed on the entire range those days. If you have a tee time, a net will be provided for players to warm up, free of charge.

Pulling #1

Today, half of the first hole was completed. Pictured here is the plow that pulls pipe and wire through the soil for 2 inch lateral lines. The pipe and wire are 18 inches below the surface. This is a great view looking back on the first hole towards the Gore Range. 

You will notice the planks of track mats on the collar of the green to prevent any tire marks from the machine. The pile of dirt is where the sprinkler heads will be located. Not pictured is the roll of sod that was removed before the hole was dug. Once the heads and wires are all connected and level, the hole is filled and packed, the sod is replaced and properly trimmed around the head.

Sprinkler Distance Markers

Here is what you will be seeing throughout the course for distance markers. Any head between 50 and 300 yards from the middle of the green will have the digits of the proper yardage. Some heads along the property lines may not have these yardages on them. 

The Ambassador

I can't believe that I haven't mentioned the Vail Golf Club Ambassadors much through this renovation. I have a wonderful team of volunteers helping to make the golfers experience that much better as they make their way around the renovation. 

Pictured here is Harry Jasper working his normal Friday afternoon shift. Here he is filling divots on the first fairway waiting for play to get to the renovation area. 

The ambassadors are here to educate and guide golfers around the renovation. They escort golfers to the next teeing ground and occasionally help with maintenance around the course (which of course is greatly appreciated). 

Many thanks to all twelve of you, Robert, Ron, Margaret, Gretchen, Malin, Carmen, Barbara, Ken, Harry, Ellyn, Bill and Annie.

Finished with the 18th hole

I have attached a few pictures of recent work done at the 18th hole. The first picture is of Fausto is putting together a valve box near the green. The box contains the valve from the mainline, the main communication wire, field decoder, and wires to sprinkler heads. The next picture is a great one, the fairway heads are being checked and finally getting some water down after stress from the recent work. Each head is flushed of debris and tested to make sure everything is working properly with the head. Then they are tested with field communication so that it can be used accurately from the central command computer. 

The last picture is of the installation around the clubhouse and the new handicap entrance to the building. Small spray heads have been installed here. I found it quite amazing how they could work with their large equipment in tight areas.

watering sod

Here is Alonzo from Landscapes Unlimited. He is dedicated to fine tuning new sprinkler heads once they are installed. Here he is on 18 making sure heads are working properly. Alonzo is also watering the replaced sod from the installation. He places the cone over the sprinkler head, the cone keeps the water in the general area to soak the sod. I am not so crazy about his hat, but he is a great worker and a fun guy to have around the course.

You may notice wet areas around the course, particularly with the re-sodded areas. During high stress periods to the turf, like the warm, dry weather we have had recently, it is critical to have those areas grown in properly from the renovation. Once the roots are re-established we will return the area to normal irrigation.

There are many areas around the course that are seeing consistent irrigation for the first time. It can take up to a couple of seasons to go through these areas and balance them out. Now that the groundwater has receded, many areas are beginning to dry up and now we focus on providing consistent watering. Finally with the new system we can begin to improve playability. My staff and I can now spend our time adjusting heads and run times, instead of digging holes just trying to get water.

85%

Almost there, holes complete with new irrigation are 2-8, and 11-17. By the end of the week add #18 to that list. Next week we will focus on the practice greens and holes 1 and 9. While working on the practice greens one of them will be open for putting at all times. 

The GCM staff continues to improve the course in various areas. We have been cleaning up native areas, drainage, adjusting new irrigation heads and nozzles, hand-watering sodded areas, filling in sod lines and weak areas with sand and seed.

You will also notice new distance markers on the new irrigation heads. To date they are on holes 3-8, 13 and 14. The distances are to the middle of the green. 

14 green

The fourteenth green is complete which is nice to have behind us. This was one of the worst areas on the course for pressure and accurate irrigation applications. The elevation gain and not enough pressure to provide consistent throw in the area made it troublesome to have healthy turf throughout the green complex. 

As the course matures with the new system we will be able to explore different mowing lines around the property. I think this area may be a candidate and one that we could really have fun with.

Almost Done with Mainline

Mainline is 97% complete with all holes done except for #17. The mainline will not be completed there until laterals on holes 11-16 are complete. Lateral work continues on #14 today with plans of finishing the entire hole today. 

I have been asked a few times about the rhyme and reason of where Landscapes Unlimited is working on the golf course. Our two main goals are water and power to all 18 holes. Especially when we are getting much drier weather, this is critical. We need to keep power sources intact to our old satellite boxes so the course can water at night. There are four different sources of power to the old system. Only two of these sources remain in use. One source controls holes 1, 9, 10, 17, driving range and 18. The other sources controls holes 11-16. 

It is easier to manage flow of water in our old pipes to work from the ends of the course towards the pump house (located in the center of the property). Which is the main reason we finished with 2 and 8 and moved to east to 13 and 14. By taking care of all water and power on the east end of the course, the middle will still function properly. We plan to arrive at the middle of the course for renovations in August.

More Rock

The rock continues on #6. The trench pictured here is along the left side of the hole. It has been a bit slower due to the amount and size of the rock. Pictured below is a rock taken from the 5th tee area. There have been a couple of more close to this size that have been removed. There have been others that have been hammered to fit pipe into the ground.
After Tuesday, Landscapes has made it half way through the hole and look to cross in front of the tee box today back towards the 5th hole. The tee box on #6 will be moved up to the front of the fairway today.

Feast or Famine

We have seen almost 2 inches of rain this month of May. Only an inch or two of snow, but a total of 1.9 inches of moisture to date. For about half of the month we had a stretch of extremely dry conditions and it looked as if we were headed for another dry spring. Moisture is great for growing grass and sending employees home early, however not so much for golf course construction. Irrigation was supposed to continue on Memorial Day, but with the rain it limited them to clean up. Wet conditions also put a halt to any development on #3. Today's goal is to begin pouring a concrete curb for the new cart path. We hope that we can stick with that schedule.
Yesterday was productive though. Justin was able to begin the first fertilizer application to the course and take advantage of Mother Nature's irrigation. A bulk spread of 19-3-5 was done on holes 2 through 8 except for the third hole. This quick release fertilizer will help with getting some of the slower grass into gear and on to the road for summer stress. There is also 3.4% of Iron with this product which helps produce a deeper green color in the turfgrass. We will continue to spread the rest of the course throughout the week.

Site Visit

Today Larry Rodgers spent much of the day reviewing the irrigation project and working with the new central computer. It was a good day to be in the office with the rain. Learning some of the changes with the new computer and communication style was certainly educational. We also toured the course to see the progress of the install. One area that he was pleased with was the mounded back fill of the mainline. That area will settle and a mound is much easier for me to fix in the future than any kind of dip.
The boring areas look good and clean as well. The big concern was not having water earlier this week. The course has suffered in some areas but we have a handle on them now. Beginning next week LUI will strive to move forward by working on one area at a time.