2019 Drainage Project Update 9/19/19

The drainage contractor resumed work on Orchard #1 this week, both near the green and at the beginning of the fairway.  Work near the green consisted of extending an existing 30" diameter pipe to better handle the amount of water that drains from the driving range and surrounding area.  It also allowed us to more securely connect the new 4" pipe that drains the areas surrounding the cart path that used to stay flooded.  Work adjacent to the beginning of the fairway will catch and slow down the excess water that runs down the hill from the driving range tee and onto the fairway.  The contractor anticipates completing these areas this week, then will start on Grove #6 in the left rough before the pond.

A gravel sump was installed on Orchard #1 near the beginning of the fairway along the right side of the cart path.  Its purpose is to collect water that runs down the hill from the driving range tees and prevent it from soaking the fairway.  New drainage pipe was also installed at the bottom of the sump.

The contractor extended an existing drain line on Orchard #1 to connect to the gravel sump.

This 30" drain line to the right of Orchard #1 green was missing a 20' section and had considerable erosion around the inlet of the discharge pipe.

Here the contractor is lining up the new section of 30" pipe.  Even though it's a type of plastic, pipe this big is very heavy and requires a machine to move it around.

Course Update 9/12/19

Strong storms rolled thru yesterday afternoon but only dropped .10" of rain.  That was only our second rain event this month, with the first one occurring on 9/1 resulting in 2.54".  Based on current weather patterns September looks to be warmer and drier than normal, which is a complete opposite of last year when we received over 11" of rain in September thanks to two hurricanes.  This past August was also surprisingly dry having only received 1.94" compared to the monthly average of 3.23".  However, year to date thru the end of August we've received 36.4" of rain compared to our average of 26.7" (+9.75") and 94 days out of 243 have seen measurable rain events.

This is the time of year when we start to see turf damage from skunks and raccoons foraging for white grubs.  We preventatively apply an insecticide every spring to keep the insects from maturing where they cause the most damage, but similar to last year we are seeing damage in the rough and on a couple tees.  The lack of control is most likely due to the wet spring and excessive rainfall that caused the product to move from the treatment area, limiting its effectiveness.  To prevent further damage to the turf we've sprayed an insecticide that will kill the white grubs upon contact in the soil.  For it to work properly the insecticide has to be watered in so it moves into the rootzone where the grubs are feeding, and yesterday's rain occurred at the perfect time to do just that.  It will take several days for the grubs to die and we will begin repairing the damaged turf with soil and seed, or sand and seed on the tees.

Damage on Grove #4 gold tee from skunks and raccoons foraging for white grubs.

Typical grub damage in the rough.

Turf damaged by white grubs easily pulls up revealing the insect.