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