Peter Salinetti, CGCS, at Schuyler Meadows Club, Loudonville, NY, said his computer-managed irrigation system saved him downtime recently. One of his two 50-horsepower pumps went out. All he had to do was adjust the irrigation curve in his computer program to stretch out the watering time. And, I could make the change from my office. The computer sends a signal to a field controller that controls the pumps.
Some superintendents use portable two-way radios to control their irrigation systems.
They can reach specific units anywhere in the system, no matter where the operator is on the course. The radios are also used to manage the ongoing maintenance operations. Biotechnology is being used on golf courses to add beneficial microorganisms that provide specific functions. Previously, there had been no practical way to regularly apply them. Now, large quantities of some microbes can be injected directly into some irrigation systems.