Clinton Southorn, Troon’s Director of Agronomy & Construction, compares and contrasts their differing approaches at courses with too much water versus those at courses with too little
Water is the basis of life on our planet and ecosystems. This essential natural resource must be utilised efficiently given that the gap between global water supply and demand is projected to reach critical levels as soon as 2030 due to a confluence of factors.
The challenge of water management affects all of us. Across the globe, from the golf industry and beyond, companies across sectors are recognizing the importance of water to their operations. Carefully managing this finite resource represents actions that golf courses can – and must – take as part of a balanced and sustainable approach to improving water efficiency for themselves and the communities where they operate.
So how can we better manage water? At Troon, we work in partnership with clients to identify and evaluate how water use impacts operations and advise on approaches to apply this understanding to make improvements and manage any risks. For one, it’s to know how much consumption takes place on the golf course, taking into consideration things like evapotranspiration rates, soil moisture levels and the quality of water that is available for use. Overwatering or underwatering can harm the turf and so having the capabilities to design and implement an irrigation system that efficiently delivers the right amount of water to each area of the course is key.
With several tools in place, such as soil moisture meters, superintendents can monitor moisture levels and adjust the amount of water required, while detecting inefficiencies and taking proactive measures to optimise water distribution and conserve resources.
What I enjoy in my role is being able to work with golf course superintendents or the directors of agronomy to discuss plans, leverage research and then activate a programme. There are no one-size-fits-all solutions so I’ll highlight some practices that Troon-managed golf courses have adopted.
Too Little
Reopening a golf course is no simple feat, yet from a water perspective it can present significant opportunity for some facilities as was the case with La Vie Club (previously Muscat Hills) where the ownership wished to implement initiatives to enhance the golf course from a playability and visual standpoint, and also to become more sustainable. The work included reducing the turf footprint, especially in out of play areas, as well as changing turf species, which has improved appearance and performs strongly when irrigated with treated effluent water.
In a short timeframe the achievements have been measurable and impactful – 10,000m2 of turf has been removed from the golf course, a 21 per cent reduction. The desert-style landscape has increased by over 10,000m2.
Additionally, 2,200 landscaping plants have been planted, with a further 1,100 planned. And 200 turf sprinklers have been removed, with the irrigation system becoming hard lined. With the reduction of turf, we are currently experiencing a 20 per cent decrease in irrigation water usage in comparison to last year. Given the project is still ongoing, this percentage is expected to increase.
The decision to change the turf variety to paspalum on fairways, tees and roughs through inter-seeding was made easier by having completed similar process in the Middle East previously. Converting to paspalum grass ticked a lot of boxes for the facility, both from an aesthetic point of view and for long-term sustainability.
Having access to excess irrigation water should not lead to over-watering practices. Even in situations where water does not incur a direct cost, it is essential for facilities to adopt the correct irrigation techniques. These practices are not only fundamental to maintaining healthy turf but also serve to save money in various ways.
Efficient irrigation management can lead to increased long-term sustainability and lower operational costs while ensuring the aesthetic and functional quality of the turf.
Too Much
For instance, Vattanac Golf Resort in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, does not struggle with water scarcity for most of the year. The introduction of advanced technology has enabled the team to gather valuable data daily that assists in their irrigation programs, and therefore to transition from manually managed irrigation systems to a centralised automatic computer-operated system that provides a more efficient way of controlling application timings.
This shift not only encourages healthier turf growth through reduced water usage but also optimizes the application of fertilisers and pesticides, which ultimately helps in conserving electrical energy as well.
Moreover, improved irrigation practices have led to several benefits for the golf course, supporting both turf health and environmental sustainability. Key advantages include stronger root growth, which boosts the turf’s resilience; a reduced risk of disease due to better moisture management; and improved durability that extends the life of the turf. Additionally, proper watering facilitates better soil aeration, preventing the detrimental effects of waterlogged soil, and ensures optimal playability by providing a firm, even surface for golfers. These initiatives exemplify how golf courses can contribute to building more resilient and sustainable water infrastructures now and for the future.
These are just a few examples of how golf courses can help build more resilient and sustainable water infrastructure – now and into the future.
