A Taste Of "Work"

Brooks had to put up the golf course net on Saturday. I had picked up this net from his supplier just north of Campbell River and the excuse for our visit was to deliver this net. LindaLee was working at her part time waitress job and I was there so, off we went. It was a 25 foot high, 60 foot long net protecting the front of a house built right on the fairway at the Arbutus Ridge Golf Course. Brooks is the only contractor "approved" to put these nets up so he gets quite a few orders and has the process down pat.

Before leaving, we welded together lengths of mat black powder coated pipes to form the four uprights and Brooks had previously buried and cemented in place slightly larger diameter pipes flush to the ground, into which these pipes would slide. On the way to the job we stopped to rent an orchard ladder that would reach  to the top of the uprights. These pipes are chosen so as to not reflect the sun and cause distraction to the golfers. The net is also heavy black fishing net. These nets are expensive but is what is required by the golf course. Many residents have tried putting up their own cheaper solutions but have been ordered to take them down after complaints from golfers or neighbors.

We fastened the net to the tops of the four uprights before we raised them and dropped the bases into the previously placed larger diameter pipes in the ground. It worked perfectly. We then welded more lengths of black pipe at a 45 degree angle to the two outside uprights to provide support. It was then just a matter of attaching the net to the uprights using black tie-wraps.

This net will stop flying golf balls and will protect the homeowners from broken windows and dented siding and vehicles, the downside of living on a golf course.

The only mishap of the day occurred when I stepped on a piece of old chain link fence that was covered with grass and tore off one of my big toenails! Ouch! It was my own fault as I had foolishly decided to wear sandals while Brooks had his steel toed safety boots on. Oh well, it only cost me a teaspoon or so of blood and I got lots of sympathy from LindaLee when we got home. If I did this for a living I would have to take a little more care. Don't tell the Worker's Compensation Board!