Putting Green Drainage

 After finishing out #5 green, we moved over to #14 green and repaired the drainage there as well. On hole #14 we became aware that there was a problem in the drainage line back in the summer months. We found a section twenty five to thirty five feet long that the pipe was filled with roots and therefore no water was allowed to drain out to the outlet. This repair has been done and we have now moved to the putting green.

Putting Green:

 There has been suspicion that the drainage did not work here, but no facts. So the hunt was on to locate any drain pipes leaving the putting green. The first area we felt quite certain that a drain line existed was near the Memorial Garden. Several years ago back during the American Golf era part of the putting green was removed and re-contoured so that surface water could drain from the putting surface (a bad construction design).

This pictures was our first indication that there are issues with the drain line. This particular find, the pipe was crushed, and then to find 3 other pipes next to it that simply dead ended??? This was our first time to locate the drain line--now we needed to find a end closer to the green.

After some extensive searching we finally located a pipe. Problem is (take a look at the photo) the pipe was separated plus there was no water to speak of.
From my point of view; if this pipe was actually draining the green then where is the water once this end was opened??? Not satisfied that this is for real.

Once these two ends were located a water hose was then forced up into the hose, problem was the hose only went three to four feet in and the water was coming out the end where the hose started. Still not making alot of sense, so the search goes on.

Now, we are really confused*%!? If you can see where the shovel handle is showing there is a piece of red tape around the handle near the drain pipe.
The pictures above are exposing the pipe you can see here, however another pipe is now below the original pipe located.
 The lower pictures clearly shows it. Turns out that the pipe on top dead ended and was simply laying on top of the bottom pipe. The bottom pipe dead ended was just laying under the upper pipe. So today all together excess lines have been removed and only one drain is present and is hooked up together. Huge !!!

This last picture is the second drain line found that goes under #1 blue tee. So if all information serves me correctly. these types of damage usually occur during construction phases. Has this pipe plus the one on #4, and #5 been this way since the 1990's????

Only time will tell us the truth, if this is the real factor of what causes complication to the turf. Can't wait till February and March!

I'll update as we finish up the putting green

Willy Plowman

Golf Course Superintendent