Best Management Practices for Maryland Golf Courses

Irrigation System Renovation

Renovating a golf course irrigation system can improve system efficiencies, conserve water, improve playability, and lower operating costs.

Best Management Practices

• Determine the age of the system to establish a starting point for renovation. • Identify problems and their costs to determine which renovations are appropriate. • Identify system performance improvements that maximize the efficient use of the current system. • Evaluate the cost of renovation and its return on financial and management benefits.

Winterization and Spring Startup

Winterization of the irrigation system is important to protect the system and reduce equipment failures resulting from freezing. In the spring, inspecting the system for corrective maintenance issues and conducting a catch-can test to audit the system ensures that the system is functioning properly.

Best Management Practices

• Conduct a visual inspection of the irrigation system: inspect for mainline breaks, low pressure at the pump, and head-to-head spacing. • Flush and drain above-ground irrigation system components that could hold water. • Remove water from all conveyances and supply and distribution devices that may freeze by using compressed air or opening drain valves at the lowest point on the system. • Clean filters, screens, and housing. Remove drain plugs and empty water out of the system. • Secure systems and close and lock covers/compartment doors to protect the system from potential acts of vandalism and from animals seeking refuge. • Remove drain plugs and drain above-ground pump casings. • Record metering data before closing the system. • Secure or lock irrigation components and electrical boxes. • Perform pump and engine servicing/repair before winterizing. • Recharge irrigation system in the spring with water and inspect for corrective maintenance issues. • In the spring, conduct a catch-can test to audit the system.

Record Keeping

Careful record keeping is an important part of managing an irrigation system, as well as part of regulatory requirements for reporting water withdrawal.

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