Drillers see to blockage

Water supply problems during one of the hottest summers on record has not slowed the ball off the tee at Wanganui Golf Club this week.

Members were informed the Belmont Links could not be irrigated from the lower level water bore because sand had blocked the screen from the inside, 100m below ground.

A pipe was connected to Wanganui's town water supply to feed into the club reservoir, so staff could maintain the greens the old fashioned way.

A drilling rig was brought in to investigate the problem.

"We've got the people from Richardson Drilling Co Ltd making good progress clearing out the silt material that got into the bottom of the bore," said manager Keith Stewart.

"The course staff went the extra mile during the week, watering the greens."

Stewart said Richardson's would bring in a submersible pump on Tuesday to get the rest of the silt out and confirm exactly how the material got into the water bore.

The members were asked for patience while the manual watering was being done and Stewart said the greens had remained up to their usual standard.

"The place is a little dry ... you still have to hit it straight.

"We had some amazing scores achieved by the guys last Thursday afternoon. Chris Feaver hit a 74 off the stick."