By Tara Fischer

Staff Writer

(July 30, 2026) The Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors this week approved moving forward with the third phase of the community’s golf course irrigation replacement project, authorizing a $925,000 contract that will update the system at four additional holes.

During the board’s meeting on Monday night, OPA General Manager John Viola said the project continues to make progress as the association works to replace the golf course’s 50-year-old irrigation system.

Golf Course Superintendent Justin Hartshorne added that the next stage will include work on holes 11, 15, 16, and 17.

“Very exciting to keep that project moving forward,” he said. “Working with the contractor through the first phases has been terrific…and we’re very pleased with what has been installed so far.”

The board unanimously approved staff’s request to proceed with the project.

The irrigation replacement is part of a multi-phase effort to modernize the golf course’s failing system. Earlier phases upgraded holes 1 through 10 and 18, along with the main pumping station, practice range, and practice green.

Viola also updated the board on planned improvements to the golf course’s cart paths. He said that repairs will begin in the coming weeks after bids came in within the amount budgeted by the association.

“One of the areas of the golf course is the cart paths, and the cart paths did have cuts from the irrigation system, and there were areas that needed to be replaced,” Viola said.

He said crews have already marked the locations requiring repairs, including irrigation cuts, the maintenance parking area, and the cart path leading to the maintenance facility. The work is expected to be completed over the next couple of months.

Also for the golf course, the board approved the purchase of a new triplex mower for $56,258 from Toro Equipment, the low bidder.