Drainage

This past week has been another busy one here at St. Clair Parkway.  We had some very cool days early in the week.  All the grass slowed its growth due to the heavy frosts we have been getting.  This gave us the opportunity to finish up some drainage that had been put on the back burner for a while.  We were fortunate enough to borrow a trencher from a neighbouring golf course.

The first area that we tackled was the low spot in front of number seven green.  The drainage that runs through there has been damaged and needless to say does not work anymore.  Whenever it rains it will stay wet here for several days if not weeks.  Another issue is the pond beside the green was made to over flow out to that drainage and with the wet spring last year there was not enough time to get everything tied in.  Hopefully with some pictures this will all make sense.  The first picture is of seven when the drainage has been completed.

The low spot that runs across the fairway is where the old drainage ran.  We re-installed drainage in through the low spot and tied it in on the other side.  There is a catch basin on both sides of the fairway and a slit drain between the two.  Plus we put a catch basin at the top of the hill to catch the overflow from the pond and brought a drain down the hill and tied it in as well.  Here are some more pictures of the work.

  This was awesome to be able to get this little project done, at a time when the course was not so busy and dry enough that it was possible. 

Plus a little bonus was finishing off the drainage for the bunker on the 15th that was built last year.

 

The course dried out this week.  This spring has been very dry, they were calling for big rain this weekend but have basically reduced it to hit and miss.  The irrigation system was charge on April 5th.  When we did our initial start up, one of the two pumps had a bearing give way.  We then proceeded to charge the system with the other pump to make sure all the lines wintered well.  Once the system was up and some dry areas were watered, we shut everything down to pull the pump and replace its bearing.  Of course with the irrigation system down the weather man changed the forecast dramatically.  The course dried out and the greens were certainly firm and fast, which I think most of you liked.  Friday afternoon the pump was re-installed and the irrigation lines charged again.  The course certainly got a little dry for my liking but it will bounce back nicely now that the system is running again.  Maybe we will hit one of the thunder showers they are calling for on Sunday.

Till next time Cheers

Kendall