Tiny Markers May Be a Major Improvement

When there is an irrigation leak during the season, and we have to isolate a section of the system, we want to be able to quickly find these valves.  Spending time poking around to locate a valve is certainly less than ideal.

Additionally, as the naturalized areas grow each spring and summer, it often becomes very difficult to locate irrigation components.  Then, when it comes time to mow these areas down in the fall, we occasionally encounter these valves and sprinklers the hard way...with the mower.  Over the years, it has become more and more clear that we needed a way to mark these irrigation components.

With most of these valves and sprinklers in out of play areas, using a small stake seemed like a reasonable idea, but the question of what kind of stake had us scratching our heads:   Wood will rot, PVC might be confused for an o/b stake, steel rebar can blend in and would be a real hazard if hit by a mower.

Fortunately, our ever-resourceful crew member, Don Robel, had an idea.  He suggested using driveway markers (the kind used to show a snow plow the edge of  a road).  After a quick Google search, we purchased a box of these, and have started placing them around the course.   Time will tell, but these markers seem like they will be great for this job.  They are made of fiberglass, and at a mere 5/16" in diameter, are relatively unobtrusive.

Stake placed next to valve box.

One extra bonus is that they are also reflective.  In the past, if finding a valve in the Fescue was difficult during the day, night time made it impossible.  However, with these markers, they can actually be seen more easily at night when you shine a light on them, than during the day.

Stake is easily seen at night.

So, if you see any of these stakes on the course, you'll know what they're for--there's no need to break out your copy of The Rules of Golf to figure out what a tiny blue and white stake designates!