Hand Watering

Pasatiempo funded the installation of a new irrigation system in 2010.  The new hardware and software provides the latest technology in golf course water management.  The irrigation decisions we make everyday utilize weather station data, soil moisture meters and many years of professional experience.  The technology we have available greatly decreases the need to hand water with hoses but will never eliminate this most basic management practice.  The last thing we want to do is overwater at night and eliminate hand watering.  Over watering decreases playability and increases disease pressure and expenses. 

Our greens are the most important surface on the golf course.  It only makes up 4 acres of our entire property but demands the majority of our resources.  In order for us to maintain expectations moisture levels must be consistent throughout all of our greens.  During the dry season we schedule 2 employees every morning to hand water greens.  We target moisture percentages based on the weather and events for that day.  In the afternoon we schedule 2-3 employees with the same task.  We do this 7 days a week.  The greens never take a day off and neither do we. 

One of our staff members was recently hit with a ball.  I’ve witnessed severe injury from golfers hitting into maintenance staff resulting in permanent disability.  I know none of us wish this upon anyone.  There will be times when you need to wait a few minutes for an employee to finish watering a green during your round.  We ask that you allow our staff to safely finish their task before hitting.  Thank you for your support and understanding.