A very important milestone was reached today on the irrigation project with twelve holes now being completed, so we are a third of the way through on the course proper then we have the practice areas to be done as well.  Again this week we ran several cycles which all operated flawlessly, and the performance of the sprinklers is outstanding.  We were originally only going to do 3R green this week but moved on to the fairway as well as there was a 100mm existing mainline that we could tap into without too much trouble to bolster supply to the new system. That has been the process so far that anytime we can access an existing mainline in good condition we do a temporary connection which will ultimately be discarded as we get closer to the pump shed and the new bigger mainlines are installed.

 

Connection to old system circled above.

I have been asked a few times about some of the trenchlines on the courses as part of the installation and what the plan is for them long term.  Most are being left to grow through on their own as if we do too much to them now it would be a waste as there is such low growth happening at the moment.  Some of the sprinkler locations just need a heavy topdress but if we do that now we would just smother the turf.  When you look at the ''plough'' lines where pipe is pulled through there will generally just be some sanding required and around the greens once the next renovation is done I doubt you will see a thing.  The mainlines down the sides of the fairways vary with most being allowed to cover back in naturally and once fully grassed they too will be topdressed to level them up. 

The top photo below is of the first trench dug on LHS 4R showing almost full recovery already.  A nice heavy topdressing next spring and you won't know we had been there.  The bottom photo is a more recent trench at rear 4W that is perfectly level and lots of little bits of Couchgrass ready to sprout in spring and once again a heavy topdress in summer and it will be back to normal. 

LHS 4R nearly covered.

 

Rear 4W nice and level (apart from the footmarks!)

The end of cart paths is another area that will be attended to in the spring.  We returfed the end of 9W path but the cooler weather hasn't allowed the turf to fully develop and it is pretty stressed so a better result will be achieved with summer weather.

New turf struggling at 9W.

And finally June 28 is a special day as it was on this day way back in 1999 that I stepped foot onto the property that is Coolangatta & Tweed Heads Golf Club as Superintendent.  There's certainly been some ups and downs and it definitely doesn't feel like yesterday, but it's been a very enjoyable journey for the most part.  Looking back to what the course was like when I arrived to what it is now is most satisfying.  I arrived just after the "worm farmers" left the course in a complete shambles and  I do remember having 24 staff available for work in the lunchroom on my first day which given the Club's financial situation at the time, was pretty amazing.  Today we have 17.  I do still enjoy coming to work which is the main thing personally and I rarely hear the alarm clock but still set it each night.  I do know that I couldn't have done it without the support of wife Michelle who was formally the Golf & Functions Manager at the Club.  (Yes we met at the staff Christmas party!!)  Being the wife of a Superintendent isn't easy I can assure you but she has been a rock of support. I also couldn't have done it without some of the great staff I have had over the years which number somewhere near 150 all up.  Gee there's been some characters in that lot I can guarantee you, with a few not making it past morning tea on their first day and a few still here that were here on my first day.