Work began Sept. 11 on a multiyear irrigation improvement project at the Ocean Pines Golf Club, Ocean Pines, Maryland, which will replace a 50-year-old system. The new system is expected to be longer lasting and more efficient in both coverage and water usage, according to a release from the club.
General Manager John Viola said the project represents Ocean Pines’ ongoing commitment to investing in its amenities.
Golf Course Superintendent Justin Hartshorne explained that the disruption for golfers would be minimal, as work is scheduled around the shoulder season, with the first phase focusing on the pump station, the first and ninth holes and the driving range.
“We’re going to try to run the mainlines that are out in the rough areas and the perimeters of these holes, so it’s not going to be extremely disruptive to play,” Hartshorne said. He also noted that much of the work would occur in winter when the course is less busy, adding that the original system is well beyond its typical lifespan of 25 years.
“It’s well overdue,” Hartshorne said. “We do a lot of maintenance on it every year, and we’ve actually been seeing pinhole leaks forming in the pipes – they’re literally just falling apart and deteriorating. So, we’re long overdue for a replacement and we’ve more than exceeded the lifespan of the current system.”
Hartshorne explained that the work would primarily involve trenching and laying new pipes. “This contractor has a lot of experience with these kinds of projects, so it should be limited disruption,” he said.
For golfers, Hartshorne said the most noticeable improvements would be long-term, with the new system providing more precise water control. “It’s a big investment, but it’s a huge part of the infrastructure and it’s my most vital maintenance tool for keeping a high quality of grass out here,” he said.
The new system will also be more durable and long-lasting. “These pipes are certainly going to be able to hold up well beyond what our original system was built with,” Hartshorne added.
Once completed, the Ocean Pines Golf Club will have a much more efficient system with better coverage across the entire course, reducing water usage while enhancing the quality of the greens. “We’re going to be able to really control where we’re putting the water out,” Hartshorne said. “It’s certainly going to help make the quality of the course even better.”
