CARRABASSETT VALLEY — Work officially began Tuesday on a $1.7 million irrigation system that will conserve water and improve the quality of play at the Sugarloaf Golf Club.

Standing at the first hole for a ground-breaking ceremony on Tuesday, Sugarloaf Golf Club Greens Chairman John Beaupre explained that the current 27-year-old irrigation system — built in 1987 with a life expectancy of 25 to 30 years — needed to be updated.

“The initial irrigation system is failing, and Sugarloaf is having to invest massive amounts of money into fixing it on a day-to-day basis,” Beaupre said. “So we figured the time was now to upgrade and improve our facility to make it the No. 1 golf course in Maine.”

The new system will allow grounds crews to target dry areas of the course and reduce watering on waterlogged sections. The system’s increased efficiency will also save money, said Bob Bruce, Sugarloaf Golf Club’s course superintendent. 

“With the new irrigation system, we will be able to pinpoint the exact areas that need water, and avoid over-watering areas that don’t need as much,” Bruce said in a statement. “This will end up saving water and electricity costs, and will be much better for the course in the long run.”

Work on the new irrigation system will continue through the summer, with construction progressing one hole at a time to limit disruptions in play. Golfers will play select holes twice to make up the difference, said John DeBiase, Sugarloaf Golf Club’s director of golf.

“We will play another golf hole again to get your full 18 round in,” DeBiase said. “The idea is once 10 is finished, we’ll use 10 for your final hole.”

Environmental Solutions of Yarmouth will install the new irrigation system, laying a total of 13 miles of 1.5 inch diameter pipe, and 4 miles of 12 inch pipe. The efficient new irrigation system will only improve the course, said Warren Michaelsen, CEO of Environmental Solutions.

“It will make the grass grow so much better, and reduce stress on the plants,” Michaelsen said. “When turf is stressed, it’s more susceptible to disease.”

With healthier turf, insects and other pests will likely decrease, Michaelsen said, requiring the use of fewer pesticides.

“It’s the keystone of having a healthy field,” Michaelsen said.