A recent survey of golf course superintendents showed budgets are increasing for most. With some extra dollars at their disposal, superintendents must decide where to use it.
By far staffing was the number one choice. I get that, crews were slashed with the recession and slow to rebound. Superintendents need more people and they need to give raises to keep the good ones they got.
The second goal was equipment replacements. Purchases have been put off for many years and fleets are growing old and tired. Key pieces of equipment are a prime goal for many. Makes sense.
An item way down the list was irrigation upgrades. Being a supplier of irrigation equipment, I’m saddened to see irrigation so low on the list. But I understand. It’s hard to keep a failing greens mower operational to the point it satisfies the need. Irrigation systems, however, can usually be duct-taped and band-aided enough to keep the grass alive. In other words, most can live with their dilapidating irrigation system another year and plan to do so.
Irrigation upgrades are expensive and disruptive. The point is taken. However, I would argue that your irrigation systems represents a very costly investment and is a key tool to manage your course. Allowing it to degrade too far will mean an even larger expense later on.
First suggestion: Practice good maintenance.
Fix the little things as they need it. Simple enough and not too costly. A fix many forget is nozzle replacements. Nozzles do wear. Replacing nozzles will cause an improvement to system distribution uniformity which will help other aspects of the system and operational efficiency.
Second suggestion: Consider upgrades in chunks.
Doing a little bit each year can help spread out your cash outlay. Unless you need a new pipe network, most systems can be renovated small sections at a time.
Another option is to do your own work and/or hire local irrigation contractor to help. DIY is a valid way to get a renovation at a savings. Yes, I know time is already at a premium. Perhaps volunteers or temporary help can work. Just a thought.
Third suggestion: Finance.
There is a lot of cheap money out there right now. If you know you are going to do an upgrade now is the time to lock in low cost financing. Plenty of companies are pleading to finance your irrigation projects. Instead of putting off upgrades one more year, for the 11th time, consider how financing can make it plausible to do now. Rates will remain low for the foreseeable future, but soon will move up to the 6-9% range.
Instead of writing a big check right now, financing means a monthly payment over several years. Because the cash position of most courses is not going to drastically improve anytime soon, financing irrigation upgrades has become very popular. You don’t want to end up with a near dead irrigation system, lacking the cash needed, and facing high interest rates a few years from now.
Fourth Suggestion: Have a plan.
Map out what you want to end up with and when you are going to do it. Irrigation upgrades are like making that lunch date with an old friend. Until you plug a date in to your calendar, it never happens.
Having a plan also means your money and time is all working towards the final result. Without a plan, you end up wasting money and time on things that don’t move you to the final result. A plan means you decide what you want, have a well-engineered system plan, have broken it down as to what and when, and have all the key decision makers on board with working it. Not as easy as it sounds.
Your irrigation system is supposed to be an effective turf management tool. If it is not, then how much money is being wasted, how many hours are being diverted from productive use, how much course quality is being sacrificed? It is my belief your irrigation system deserves attention to keep it an efficient and productive tool.
