Nothing strikes fear in the heart of a Superintendent like a blown main line. Imagine a geyser rocketing from some fresh cut turf, twenty feet into the air. Most of the water is brown because tiny parts of the fairway are being sent to the skies. I hate thinking about things like that and I am not anxious to encounter the problem while checking the course.


Recently we had the privilege of repairing a leaky main line in the dead of winter. What a perfect opportunity to prepare for a disaster that could strike in the middle of summer. We took our time finding parts with the best price and planning the repair. By the time we finished, three of us understood the process and we have a good source for large pipe and fittings in the future.
Richard and Marvin really kicked some tail on this project. Three days in a row, they returned to the shop sore and covered in mud. The leak occurred in a low spot where ground water is only a foot below the surface. Therefore, they had to dig a dry well and pump out the hole whenever they were working on fixing things up.

Once we had the parts on site, I helped the guys get the 6 inch tapped T installed on the mainline. The next morning I needed to spread some fertilizer on the greens so I showed Richard how to complete the job on the whiteboard. He said, “I would prefer that you were out there too.” I replied, “So would I.”

The next time I heard from Richard he said, “We’re ready to turn it on.”

I checked out the work and it was downright perfect. The main was on within minutes and I slept well that night. Not because we adverted disaster and could water a dry course, after all, it was the middle of a wet winter. I was relieved to know that we can handle a mainline break with no problem at all.

I think it’s time for a victory pose!!