Greystone Irrigation Pumpstation Project
Kevin Nash – Greystone Golf Course Superintendent
July, 2024
While many of you may have noticed, we thought that we would take this opportunity to tell you about an important improvement made to the golf course infrastructure at Greystone that will improve our ability to provide you with consistent playing conditions at one of the premier facilities in the Baltimore County Golf system.
In the spring of 2023, we began the planning of the replacement of the irrigation pumping station, which is located near the 9th fairway and the primary irrigation pond for the course. In addition to the pump station planning, a new building, floor slab, and installation of a liner to protect the structure of the wet well and intake pipe where the water enters the pumps were planned. The existing system was 28 years old and well beyond the usual 20-year lifespan of such a system. Also, the system was experiencing added stress due to the advancing failure of the floor slab that supported the station. The slab failure put the pump effluent lines at risk, which in effect could cause the shutdown of the irrigation system. A shutdown during the season would have had a disastrous impact on our turf conditions and playability of the course. Like many industries impacted by the pandemic, supply chain disruptions and a boom in golf play grew demand and expanded delivery times for a new station to 8-10 months.
We began the project at the conclusion of our normal golf season when we normally drain and winterize the irrigation system. The irrigation pond was drained so that the lining process of the wet well and intake pipe could begin. Next all electrical equipment needed for the new station and irrigation wells/pumps were disconnected and removed. The existing building was then demolished, and a crane was brought in to remove the station from the slab. Once the failing slab was removed, new construction was ready to begin. As we all know, weather in the Mid-Atlantic region can be very unpredictable. From rain to snow to freezing conditions we had it all during the project and we faced many delays along the way. Unfortunately, a project such as this can only be completed during the off season when irrigation is not needed. Multiple types of contractors specializing in many different areas of expertise were needed for such an important project.
The entire project cost approximately $370,000 and was completed in time for the spring startup of the pump station and filling of the irrigation piping in early April. As an additional improvement, we were able to refurbish the small electrical building located behind the 12th green. New siding, roofing, and flooring were installed. This building houses additional electrical equipment needed to operate irrigation wells and turf fans.
Below are some photos highlighting the project:
