QUESTIONS & ANSWERS Session #2 ...What did we do over the winter break?

This is the most frequently asked question to every superintendent and golf course worker. Basically from the time we "put-the-course-to-bed-for-winter" we are preparing the course for opening the next Spring. One rarely seen aspect is any large scale project that require frozen ground are then undertaken. This winter staff had budgeted and planned to replace the breached 18-inch concrete reinforced culvert pipe (with 36-inch PVC) that takes all the drainage water from the golf course pond system to #17 Pond and the main pumps at #17 along the dike. Please note, we did not increase the flow off the course. Only the efficiency of getting water to the pumps and eliminating the 'short-cycling' of the pumps as well as the breach repair were the objectives. Following are several pictures of this successful construction project accomplished during January. This also explains why the area was resodded and roped off to route cart and golfer traffic.

The proverbial "before" picture. If you double click on any picture it will enlarge. Notice the lighted construction horses (sitting on plywood) are on top of the previously exposed irrigation pipe and wires for #17 Tee. Staff exposed these in early December prior to ground freezing solid. The metal box on the right holds all the control panels and 460-volt electrical service for both pumps. Please note that the control panel was correctly installed decades earlier 'above' the flood plain.

Large tracked backhoe being offloaded from it's trailer.

Rubber tire articulated pay-loader has been offloaded onto site.

Opening day! Breaking into frozen ground. Delicately working around the previously exposed irrigation pipes and wires.

Don Voss standing next to the 'safety-box' required by OSHA for all below ground excavation. Don stands 6' 2" tall.

The steel wet-well had to have a new larger flange to connect to the larger 36-inch culvert pipe. The only way to do it correctly was to cut out the old and weld in the new piece.

Don Voss the 'patriarch' of the park district with 34 years of loyal and dedicated service to the golf course stands 6'2" and is standing next to a section of the 'new' 36" PVC culvert pipe. This PVC will ensure no future breaches for the future.

New metal flange being lowered 15-feet into place 'inside' the wet-well. Hard to see but notice the tops of the two (2) green 1,500 gallon per minute pumps at bottom of picture. Obviously the pit is dry (for first time in 40 years) for the welder to operate.

Near completion looking back toward #17 Tee.

Winter pictures taken by Assistant Mark Anderson.



Staff reconnecting the irrigation lines and wires. Site is also being prepared for sod.

After picture of Hole #17 as of May 7th.