AUTOMATIC WATERING SYSTEMS
Do we need them?
... and if we do, how should we use them?
DUNCAN McGILVRAY, Managing Director of Enviropro H20 offers some pointers
The early decisions on whether to have an Automatic Watering System (AWS) on golf courses were made in the mid to late 1960s and through the 1970s and there has been much debate regarding their use (or misuse) since that time. Today’s prices for an average eighteen hole golf course can range from £75k to £1m depending on how far you want to go! The purpose of this article is to try to get over the point that you, the customer, are the one who makes the decision and to direct you to the right place to get sufficient information so that you can make an informed and unbiased decision.
Ask yourself the following questions: • Do I need an AWS?
• Is the AWS I have fit for purpose and, if not, do I want to improve the situation?
If you answered yes to either of the two questions read on.
Do you need an AWS?
I have lived with an AWS and I have lived without one - in both situations I have managed and both experiences have had their moments!
You will make your own decision but mine would always be to have an AWS and manage it efficiently, for the following reasons:
1. The grassplant requires supplementary water to survive in periods of dry weather and watering by hand during the day whether hose or sprinkler is disruptive, inefficient and, worst of all, wastes water.
2. An AWS is an extremely important tool, when working efficiently and
being managed effectively, in achieving high standards in course or ground maintenance.
Is the AWS you have fit for purpose and, if not, do you want to improve the situation?
1. Although you will have personally experienced your system’s shortcomings survey the system you have thoroughly and list all the problems encountered.
2. Make an appointment to sit down with ‘the powers that be’ and explain the situation - I am certain that if your system is not fit for purpose your membership will have noticed at some point and let you know about it! - you can use this in your negotiations. My remit here is not to give you advice on how to deal with those ‘powers that be’ but, if you do
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104