Irrigation Update - Rob Hill
As we near the completion of our new irrigation system installation, I’d like to express my gratitude to everyone for their patience over the past three months. With the wettest winter on record, our contractors at Prime Irrigation faced significant challenges, but they’ve done an exceptional job. While there may be some visible scars from the work, they’ll heal over time. This system marks a major milestone, giving us unprecedented control over water management across all playing surfaces. Now, we eagerly await drier weather to witness the transformative effects of this game-changing system.
Our decision to install the new system in December 2023 and start work in February this year was swift, considering it’s a once-in-a-20-year project.
From the Greenkeeping team’s perspective, we adjusted our spring maintenance schedule to accommodate the irrigation project. This strategic approach has proven beneficial, allowing us to avoid adverse weather conditions and prevent a rushed finish by spreading the work over a longer period. While the greens may currently exhibit some inconsistency, we anticipate they’ll regain their uniformity within the next couple of weeks.
We accomplished a lot over the winter. We began by constructing the new 1st tee, soon to be in play. We’re excited to see how this hole plays, particularly as a challenging Par 4 from the Silver & Purple tees. Additionally, we installed a new drain on the top of the 6th fairway and the 7th walkway, significantly improving these areas. Our plan is to address the wettest areas on the course annually, with the 5th approach next on the agenda for September/October. Why then, you may wonder? Well, between October 12th and February 29th, we experienced a total of 739mm of rain, making it imperative to act swiftly.
We also welcomed a new team member, Joe Payne, to our ranks. Joe is new to the Greenkeeping industry but is progressing very quickly. If you see Joe around, please extend a warm welcome and make him feel at home.
Thank you all for your continued support and understanding as we work to enhance your golfing experience at Rusting Golf Centre.
