I recently had the chance to get to know the UgMO wireless underground moisture monitoring system (
www.ugmo.com) at the Desert Mountain Golf Club in Scottsdale Arizona. I've actually had the chance to get to know this technology a few years ago, when a good friend of mine worked for a related company, so the technology is nothing new to me. I''m a big fan of anything that promotes efficiency along with the ability to provide a fast and firm playing conditions. I can say the UgMO technology fits the bill, if used to its capacity. The product comes in two basic options: 1) The full blown Professional version and 2) the less powerful, more cost effective, Landscape version. I had the chance to touch and feel the systems during my visit and can say both Shawn Emerson, Director of Golf Maintenance and Marc Snyder, Head Superintendent, are incredibly enthusiastic about the product. Both systems utilize wireless, in-ground sensors about the size of the plastic cup insert of a green (they say it's going to get smaller) and weighs in around 5 lbs. The Professional version utilizes sensors that monitor moisture, salinity and temperature while the Landscape version is limited to moisture only. Each sensor relays the recorded information back to a central hub mounted on an irrigation controller. This hub talks to about 3-5 sensors (enough to equip one golf hole) and sends the information back to home base, generally located in the maintenance building. This info is displayed via a password protected, web based interface on your computer.
Once logged into your account, the system breaks out the information in a variety of formats. The My Property tab gives you a Google Earth overview of all the sensors in the field along with a ''hover over'' ability to give a snap shot view of what''s actually going on in real time. The other tabs include UgMO Says (a text based report card of all the recorded data), UgMO Knows (allows the selected sensors or holes to be graphed over a period of time) and UgMO Sees (sets and charts ranges of moisture, salinity and temperature of the selected sensors). Each give free and easy navigation throughout the site. Price, however, may be the prohibitive factor, costing around $75,000 for 18 holes, with a $1,000 monthly subscription fee. Really cool stuff for the computer savvy manager with some extra change burning a hole in his pocket or 30% water budget cut!
The Landscape version, however, is where I think the future lies. Priced significantly less (should come in around $300-$400 per system), albeit for smaller applications, it integrates the same wireless sensor technology, but uses a more simple version of data management. Focused on the residential user, a digital-type clock is hard wired into the existing irrigation timer, allowing the user-set thresholds to override the irrigation programs in the clock. If, for example, an irrigated front lawn meets the threshold of moisture set by UgMO, the sensor will stop the watering cycle from watering any further. This is done without affecting the next scheduled program, and without any input from any individual. Where most water smart technologies rely on ET weather data, or by collecting total rainfall, UgMO uses real time, real conditions to base its adjustments on. This is an exciting advancement for the landscape sector and I look forward to one day installing one in my front yard. Overall my review is a thumbs up. I love the technology, but I hesitate to give a full endorsement of the Professional version based on the cost of the systems. I''d love to see it come down to a number most any course would consider. Also, since the user needs to be able to digest a bunch of info in order to make his/her manual adjustments in the field, it just may be a little too complicated for the less than motivated manager. I do love the potential of the Landscape version, however, and would like to see the price come in at the intended amount of $300-$400 per system, or lower. The autopilot mode makes this a no brainer in areas of high cost residential water.\r\n
Overall Rating - 7.5
Efficiency Rating - 9 This needs to be an option for any golf course where high energy costs meet water restrictions or rationing.
Branding - 8 Interesting logo. Like the name. Web interface is very attractive and communicates the message well. Should be able to sell the product.
The "Does it help the Game" factor - 6 I go back and forth on this. Generally, I''m not in favor of anything that makes golf more expensive, which this does. I just can''t get over the fact that you could pay a guy $10/hour to take manual readings with $100 sensor in a variety of areas to get just about the same information. But, I love the idea of being able to draw a baseline and I can see visions of these one day being completely integrated into every golf irrigation head.
Overall Value - 7 I would give this a 10 if I were convinced every superintendent would use the system to its potential. It appears Desert Mountain is. They reduced their salt flushings from 20 times per year down to 6. I also wish golf were spending money like we were a few years ago...
Key: (0 - being completely inefficient, 10 - being the most efficient possible)
