Every successful drainage project starts with a plan. Master Drainage Plans are a specialty of Turf Drainage Co. of America. We have planned projects at over 300 golf courses all over the United States, including many of America’s top 100 courses. Plans have ranged in size from as small as half of one fairway to a complete 18-hole master plan.
It all starts when you contact us for a consultation. We send a drainage expert on-site to walk your property with you and identify key areas of concern. We shoot elevations and record data, then crunch the numbers and apply proven principles of drainage engineering. Next, we integrate our patented systems and components to determine the best solution for your property.
Once the plan is completed, you will have a clear picture of the best solution for your problem and a realistic appraisal of the cost and length of the project. With this information in hand, you can clearly communicate with your board or owner and arrive at a project budget and timeline that best suits your individual situation.
Many courses implement the project over a period of years which allows them to fit the work into their budget and never have to completely close to play.
Considering a drainage project? The best thing you can do is start with a proper Master Drainage Plan. You will be surprised with how affordable a professionally-prepared Master Drainage Plan is. Call us to discuss your project.
WE DRAIN YOUR COURSE WITHOUT CLOSING IT!
What can a Master Drainage Plan do for you?
A master drainage plan can give you, the superintendent, a way to clearly present the status of your drainage problem to your committee or owner. Pat O’Brien wrote an article in the September, 2005 issue of the USGA Greens Section Record regarding the importance of starting a drainage project with a plan.
Trey Cutshall, Superintendent at The Farm Golf Club, says “Until we did the drainage plan with TDA, we didn’t have a real grasp on the scope of the project. By being involved during the planning process, I knew that the areas that I felt were important were being included, and I had a much better understanding of what the options were in each area. Once we did the plan, it was much easier for me to communicate to our owner and members what they should expect from the project. It also allowed us to see exactly how much the budget would change if lower priority areas were removed during the construction process. The time and money we spent planning the project was paid back many times.”
Trey continues, “The most important thing it did for us was that it helped the owner and me realize that the project required the involvement of a contractor. Prior to the plan, we considered an in-house project. Once the plan was completed and I saw the projected man hours that would be required, it was obvious that we didn’t have anywhere near enough labor or equipment in our operation to produce the results we wanted.”
The costs of the plans are less than most people expect. 18 Hole Master Plans typically run $10,000 to $12,000 and take 2 to 3 days. One day plans are less expensive and can be done when only a few holes are an issue. Do your club a favor. Get a Master Plan on all of the drainage work needed on your course in the future. This plan can be followed for years as it is implemented in phases.