Underhill International released a new three-minute video that spotlights recent FCI Profile nozzle field tests demonstrating the benefits of improved distribution uniformity on golf courses.
FCI Profile full-metal nozzles are designed to replace plastic nozzles on popular golf heads. In independent testing at the Center for Irrigation Technology (California State University, Fresno), the nozzles were shown to improve golf course distribution uniformity, resulting in significant water savings and more efficient irrigation practices. The CIT studies indicate that water savings on most golf courses could be estimated at 6 percent per year.
Documenting the CIT facility at work, the video features an interview with Dr. David Zoldoske, director of the center, who oversaw the FCI Profile evaluation and concluded that the metal nozzles significantly improved irrigation performance.
The video includes testing demonstrations and interviews with superintendents Mike Wolpoff of Sea Cliff Country Club in Huntington Beach, Calif., and Craig Kimmell of Red Hill Country Club in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. Both courses have installed FCI Profile nozzles.
The video may be viewed directly on the Underhill website at: http://www.underhill.us/UnderhillProfileNozzleVideo.html.
FCI Profile nozzles have solid brass sprinkler nozzles and stainless steel outlets. They ensure more consistent coverage than factory-installed plastic nozzles, which can deteriorate over time.
FCI Profile replacement sets are available for Rain Bird and Toro golf rotors and include nozzles for full-circle, mid-range and close-in coverage.
Certified golf irrigation auditor Mike Huck, principal at Irrigation & Turfgrass Services of Dana Point, Calif., reports that courses switching to FCI Profile nozzles typically start seeing results in two to three weeks. “Considering the nationwide range of water use per golf course (as reported in the GCSAA EIFG Golf Course Environmental Profiles, Vol II), the 6 percent savings suggested in the CIT study would generate between 2.5 and 28 acre feet of savings per year,” he said.
“With one acre foot measuring 325,851 gallons, the savings per course would be 800,000 to 9 million gallons annually,” said Huck.