Rain has stopped and totaled 8.80" at Potowomut. All pump components are safe for August or September when irrigation may be needed again. I remain on the proper side of the law, at this moment.
We are pumping out the new lake on 15 with our 3" portable pump. A second (rented) pump will be installed within the hour to speed the process. We expect to clear the area of water sometime tomorrow.
We lost no trees during the storm. The only damage will be the remnants from excessive water on 15, severe washing out of golf course bunkers, and an enlarged pond for an unknown period of time. This March storm will always be remembered, but not by the damage it caused on your golf course.
We see nice weather forecast for the next few days. At this time, it is difficult to say when the course will be available for play. Rest assured, we will open the golf course as soon as it allows.
Thanks to everyone for continued support.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
5:30PM Update
As of 5:30 PM, 7.41" of rainfall has fallen on us since yesterday.
As you can see in pictures below, lower 15 is covered in water, including 1.5 to 3 feet of water on the green. Beginning tomorrow morning, we will pump water from 15 using our portable pump. **(We would love to locate another trash pump with a 300-400 gallon per minute capacity if someone has one to lend.)**
A call to our USGA Greens Section representative assured us that the turfgrass itself will survive with no issues. If, however the flooding occurred during warmer weather, turf survivability would be a consideration.
Warwick police suspended our irrigation pumping operation this afternoon, after complaints from neighbors. I was told I was guilty of being a "public nuisance," because of perceived fears that irrigation water was contributing to flooding in Potowomut basements. Instead of handcuffs, I decided I could be of better use on the property.
The short break in rainfall between 3PM and 5PM has helped to keep the pond from rising dramatically. We are still winning the battle for the pumphouse, as pond level is still 5" below levels from this time yesterday. This 5" represents around 300,000 gals of water.
Thanks for everyone's wonderful support....we are determined to preserve pumps and golf course for a great 2010.
As you can see in pictures below, lower 15 is covered in water, including 1.5 to 3 feet of water on the green. Beginning tomorrow morning, we will pump water from 15 using our portable pump. **(We would love to locate another trash pump with a 300-400 gallon per minute capacity if someone has one to lend.)**
A call to our USGA Greens Section representative assured us that the turfgrass itself will survive with no issues. If, however the flooding occurred during warmer weather, turf survivability would be a consideration.
Warwick police suspended our irrigation pumping operation this afternoon, after complaints from neighbors. I was told I was guilty of being a "public nuisance," because of perceived fears that irrigation water was contributing to flooding in Potowomut basements. Instead of handcuffs, I decided I could be of better use on the property.
The short break in rainfall between 3PM and 5PM has helped to keep the pond from rising dramatically. We are still winning the battle for the pumphouse, as pond level is still 5" below levels from this time yesterday. This 5" represents around 300,000 gals of water.
Thanks for everyone's wonderful support....we are determined to preserve pumps and golf course for a great 2010.
Flooding pictures
From Behind 15 Green
100 yards From 15 green
On 5 Fairway looking right toward 4
Near Pond on 1 looking right toward 4
Desperate Times.....Desperate Measures
Soggy greetings,
Excessive rainfall since mid March, combined with the current storm have turned our golf course into something quite different this morning. (I will post pictures on the blog later today.) Water level in the pond is high enough to threaten our pumping plant inside the pump building. As of 6 PM Monday night, if pond water level rose another four inches, pumps, electrical systems and pump control computers and software could have been damaged. Based on the forecast, this scenario was entirely possible, if not probable.
To prevent flooding, we looked to an unconventional, yet so far successful strategy. These are pumps that pump water we are looking to protect! Through the night last night, we filled our irrigation pipes, and turned on the irrigation system to do what it does best. Since 10PM Monday, we have pumped 1200 Gallons Per Minute of water out of the pond, to the sprinklers. Yes, as you read this, 40 to 50 sprinkler heads are running dispersing water to save the pumps. Despite constant heavy rainfall, water level in the pond has dropped significantly. We will continue to pump at this rate until the threat has diminished. Please note that we are throwing water only to holes that do NOT drain right back into the pond.
We have already received phone calls this morning from neighbors, members and the police. Yes, it sure does look strange irrigating during this deluge. However, there are always reasons for the sometimes odd methods we employ to maintain your golf course. Let's hope this one works.
Sincerely,
Patrick Gertner CGCS
Excessive rainfall since mid March, combined with the current storm have turned our golf course into something quite different this morning. (I will post pictures on the blog later today.) Water level in the pond is high enough to threaten our pumping plant inside the pump building. As of 6 PM Monday night, if pond water level rose another four inches, pumps, electrical systems and pump control computers and software could have been damaged. Based on the forecast, this scenario was entirely possible, if not probable.
To prevent flooding, we looked to an unconventional, yet so far successful strategy. These are pumps that pump water we are looking to protect! Through the night last night, we filled our irrigation pipes, and turned on the irrigation system to do what it does best. Since 10PM Monday, we have pumped 1200 Gallons Per Minute of water out of the pond, to the sprinklers. Yes, as you read this, 40 to 50 sprinkler heads are running dispersing water to save the pumps. Despite constant heavy rainfall, water level in the pond has dropped significantly. We will continue to pump at this rate until the threat has diminished. Please note that we are throwing water only to holes that do NOT drain right back into the pond.
We have already received phone calls this morning from neighbors, members and the police. Yes, it sure does look strange irrigating during this deluge. However, there are always reasons for the sometimes odd methods we employ to maintain your golf course. Let's hope this one works.
Sincerely,
Patrick Gertner CGCS
Monday, March 29, 2010
Hot Spots
People coming off the golf course today are saying fish are biting, especially near the 11th tee, 15 at the green, and on the 1st fairway.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Back 9 Closed
We have a very wet and partly unplayable golf course this morning. 6.87 inches of rain has fallen on the golf course since March 13. There are NO carts available until further notice, and back 9 holes are also closed until further notice.
Hopefully, drying winds today combined with our sandy soils will speed the drying process.
I have only seen the golf course this wet one other time during my 5+ years of employment at Potowomut. Please think "desert" thoughts for us the next few days....
Hope to see everyone soon!!
Hopefully, drying winds today combined with our sandy soils will speed the drying process.
I have only seen the golf course this wet one other time during my 5+ years of employment at Potowomut. Please think "desert" thoughts for us the next few days....
Hope to see everyone soon!!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Late Winter Update
Welcome back!!
First, I am once again thrilled, humbled and honored that I was offered an extension of my employment contract. I have had many happy moments at Potowomut, and I expect many more over the next few years after accepting and signing our new agreement. Thanks to everyone for your wonderful and unwavering support!!
Not much happened on the golf course since late December when she laid down for winter slumber. However, we do have a few things to tell you about.
First, brothers and Assistant Superintendents Dan and Steve Virgulak began a two year golf turf education program at Rutgers University's Cook College just after January 1st. They are learning from many of the world's most respected turfgrass professors and researchers. Upon completion next March, they will earn a Certificate in Turfgrass Science which will enable them to expand their horizons in the exciting world of turf maintenance. This is an exciting time for both Dan and Steve. As a graduate of Penn State's Agronomy program years ago, I am thrilled they have both invested in their careers, and am excited for their bright futures. Dan and Steve return to work on March 22nd.
The golf course weathered winter weather with A+ grades. Greens, tees and fairways are in excellent shape. Greens were mowed and opened for play on 3/9. Warmer spring weather is due in a few weeks, when combined with our current conditions will provide for an amazing early year for golf at Potowomut. Please tell your friends!!
Over the winter, despite fewer crew members, we concentrated on keeping the golf course clean. After each storm or wind event, Mac was out raking and picking brush and debris from the course. Thanks to him, we are far ahead of where we would have been without his efforts. This will enable us to delay bringing back many employees for a few weeks, saving valuable budget funds. He also continued our work to saw through those pesky tree roots evident growing above ground. Using our stump grinder, he severed hundreds of these tree roots, as you will see the first few times you play during March. We will work to replace the root shavings with soil and seed as soon as possible.
We hope to see you soon, holding golf bags instead of snow shovels. Please excuse me, as I have a meeting with some pine cones on the 9th hole.
First, I am once again thrilled, humbled and honored that I was offered an extension of my employment contract. I have had many happy moments at Potowomut, and I expect many more over the next few years after accepting and signing our new agreement. Thanks to everyone for your wonderful and unwavering support!!
Not much happened on the golf course since late December when she laid down for winter slumber. However, we do have a few things to tell you about.
First, brothers and Assistant Superintendents Dan and Steve Virgulak began a two year golf turf education program at Rutgers University's Cook College just after January 1st. They are learning from many of the world's most respected turfgrass professors and researchers. Upon completion next March, they will earn a Certificate in Turfgrass Science which will enable them to expand their horizons in the exciting world of turf maintenance. This is an exciting time for both Dan and Steve. As a graduate of Penn State's Agronomy program years ago, I am thrilled they have both invested in their careers, and am excited for their bright futures. Dan and Steve return to work on March 22nd.
The golf course weathered winter weather with A+ grades. Greens, tees and fairways are in excellent shape. Greens were mowed and opened for play on 3/9. Warmer spring weather is due in a few weeks, when combined with our current conditions will provide for an amazing early year for golf at Potowomut. Please tell your friends!!
Over the winter, despite fewer crew members, we concentrated on keeping the golf course clean. After each storm or wind event, Mac was out raking and picking brush and debris from the course. Thanks to him, we are far ahead of where we would have been without his efforts. This will enable us to delay bringing back many employees for a few weeks, saving valuable budget funds. He also continued our work to saw through those pesky tree roots evident growing above ground. Using our stump grinder, he severed hundreds of these tree roots, as you will see the first few times you play during March. We will work to replace the root shavings with soil and seed as soon as possible.
We hope to see you soon, holding golf bags instead of snow shovels. Please excuse me, as I have a meeting with some pine cones on the 9th hole.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Greens Are Open!!!
Dear Members,
Greens are open!! Greens are dry, and will be mowed on Tuesday and Wednesday. They are in very nice condition, but won't putt true and smooth for a few weeks yet.
Carts will be available, but food and beverage service from the clubhouse is a few weeks away, according to Dan-Post Kennedy.
Hope to see many of you here during the next few days!!!
Sincerely,
Patrick Gertner CGCS
Golf Course Superintendent
Greens are open!! Greens are dry, and will be mowed on Tuesday and Wednesday. They are in very nice condition, but won't putt true and smooth for a few weeks yet.
Carts will be available, but food and beverage service from the clubhouse is a few weeks away, according to Dan-Post Kennedy.
Hope to see many of you here during the next few days!!!
Sincerely,
Patrick Gertner CGCS
Golf Course Superintendent
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