A word from Hydro Designs:
"The Poolesville Golf Course irrigation project was planned
to replace the existing system which dated back to the mid 1980’s. The pump station and irrigation control
system were replaced in 2005, leaving in place most of the 30-year old pipe,
wire, and sprinklers.
Site soil conditions led to a decision early in the design
process to use high density polyethylene pipe (HDPE). HDPE is a better choice than PVC in certain
situations. HDPE is more tolerant than PVC to physical damage from abrasion and
crushing, both of which are common on sites such as Poolesville Golf Course
that are characterized by shallow, rocky soils. Additionally, a properly
designed and built HDPE pipe network will have fewer points of potential leaks
because most of the joints in an HDPE system are fusion welded.
The pipe network was designed with looped laterals in which
mainline pipe is installed in the rough between holes and loops of typically 2”
lateral pipe are installed around greens and tees and in the fairways for
sprinklers service. Green and tee loops
are typically connected to the main with a single 3” service. Fairway loops are
usually served with two, and occasionally three 3” connections. Mainline isolation valves are flanged ductile
iron gates connected to the HDPE with fusion welded flange adapters. The
lateral loops and mainline drain pipes are connected through HDPE ball valves.
As is becoming frequently apparent on golf courses just
about everywhere on the planet, water conservation and water availability are
at odds with players’ and owner/operator’s expectations of complete coverage.
Sprinklers were placed to provide coverage on all playing areas, the green
surrounds, and the primary rough. Water conservation was accommodated by careful
attention to sprinkler placement that helps ensure a high distribution
uniformity. All sprinklers are operated individually to allow the system
operator to target localized dry spots and conserve water. All of the tee and green sprinklers permit field
switching between full and part circle operation.
Expanding the existing central-satellite irrigation control
system was compared to construction of a new two-wire central control system. A
comparison of costs of material plus labor revealed that the two-wire system
would be less expensive. The less tangible benefits of copper conservation (not
just cost!), simple expandability and enhanced system monitoring and
trouble-shooting contributed to the decision to use a two-wire control system. The control system also features an
integrated rain can that will automatically adjust or eliminate irrigation in
response to rainfall events. Combining
the latest technology in irrigation with the use of handheld digital moisture
sensors allows the grounds staff to pinpoint water needs on the golf course and
only apply water where necessary leading to improved plant health and golf
course playability."
