Leveling Irrigation Heads

We will continue working #18 Back leveling irrigation heads in the Fairways, on the Tees, and around Greens.  Raising irrigation heads is the first step to improve Distribution Uniformity.  Distribution Uniformity is the measure of how uniform water is applied to an area and is useful when determining the watering requirement for a specified location. 

You can see above flow from the nozzle is disrupted by the surrounding turf.  This causes unwanted wet areas around the irrigation heads following a night cycle.  Once the head is leveled we will achieve proper distribution uniformity and healthier turf.

This head has been properly leveled and does not affect flow from the nozzle.

This is why the landing area in #7 Fairway remained wet and soft.  Now the heads have been leveled and  it will begin to dry out and play more firm.

Golf Car Traffic

How bad can traffic be on the Golf Course?  Below are site specific pictures that detail how it affects turfgrass at Frenchman's Reserve and a recent USGA article addressing traffic concerns.

Traffic Patterns off #3 Tee

This picture identifies the most common traffic patterns we see on the Golf Course.  This is where 75 percent of the traffic exits the path following the tee shot on #3. Notice the healthy green turf isolated around the drain just off the path?  Most traffic will avoid the drain and go around.  This leaves the turf immediately next to the drain healthy and green, while the higher traffic areas turn yellow and thin.  We will continue to use green stakes to disperse traffic and reduce the wear on these locations.

Traffic Patterns In front of #1 Approach

This picture illustrates cart traffic at #1 approach where carts exit the fairway to the path.  Notice the healthy approach and just before the yellow, more thin portion, of the fairway where traffic exits.  We will continue to move the cart traffic signs in the fairways to allow recovery in these locations.

Below is the Link to USGA Regional Agronomist where he discusses Golf Car Traffic on the Course.

http://gsr.lib.msu.edu/article/white-buddy-11-30-12.pdf

Bunker Sand Re-Placement

In 2012, we received over 75 inches of rainfall in Palm Beach Gardens.  We are still facing the effects of these rain events in 2013.  Currently, we continue to add sand to bunkers throughout the property to replace the contaminated sand that must be removed following these heavy rainfall events.  Below you will see the progress in the bunkers.

Bunker Silt After 1.5" Rainfall

Christian and Ricardo adding new Sand

Finished Product