Irrigation Systems

With the onset of hot, dry weather, we've had to start relying on the irrigation systems.  We have two similar systems, with the main one covering Orchard and Grove.  The Lakes nine has its own separate system including one pumphouse which is located behind #7 green.  The system on Orchard and Grove has a primary pumphouse, located across the lake from the practice green, along with a booster pumphouse left of the gold tee on Grove 8.  The main pumphouse is able to provide 1,100 gallons per minute at 125 psi while the Lakes pumphouse can do 500 gallons per minute.  Running a full cycle of every irrigation head requires 6 hours of run time, which equates to 576,000 gallons of water.  We may run a full cycle with every head a few times per month, but we're typically applying 200,000-275,000 gallons of water per irrigation cycle.  All the water used comes from the lakes/ponds on property, we do not have to purchase water like a lot of clubs do around Pittsburgh.  We also have to record how much water we pump every month and submit a usage report to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

There are approximately 1,300 irrigation heads throughout the property.  Each head measures 12" high and 8" in diameter, and retails for $425 new.  The heads attach to piping that is 18"-24" below ground, and are wired back to irrigation controllers (we call them satellites).  There are 34 satellites throughout the property and retail for $4,000-$6,000 each depending on how many irrigation heads they can control.  The satellites are hardwired and communicate with a central control computer located in the maintenance building.  We also have the ability to connect 1" diameter hoses to the systems when spot-watering is needed.  The hoses thread onto a "key" which is inserted into a snap valve, or quick coupler.  The quick coupler has a spring loaded valve that is opened as the key is turned.  There are 2 quick couplers at every green, and each tee complex also has 2 couplers.  Then there are a handful of couplers in every fairway and near bunkers.  Typically during the summer, one person is able to manage the systems and perform necessary maintenance.  This week has seen an increase in repairs so 2 staff members have been working hard to keep up with everything.

New irrigation head waiting to be installed

After installing the new irrigation head we discovered a leak from the service T that the quick coupler was connected to.  That's a 2" diameter pipe 18" deep that supplies water to the heads and quick couplers.  Your home only has 1/2" up to 3/4" size piping throughout.

Backfilling around the new head and quick coupler

One of the 34 irrigation controllers throughout the property

Our table of old irrigation heads and related parts.  We save and reuse what we can since some of the items aren't manufactured anymore