Toro Irrigation Rises To Challenge At North Berwick
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One of this year’s largest and most challenging Toro golf irrigation projects has been completed at North Berwick Golf Club, in East Lothian. The new system, installed by contractor Arden Lea Irrigation, of Preston, comprised all greens, approaches, fairways, tees and some carries and walkways. It also included putting greens, the turf nursery, plus greens and tees on the nearby children’s course.
Irrigation consultants Robin Hume Associates STRI Irrigation Services, in Shrewsbury, designed an upgraded irrigation system for North Berwick. Designer Adrian Mortram said: “The existing system was ailing and the greens – some of which are unusually large – were suffering from poor coverage. The challenge was to provide a more efficient system, which would give them the flexibility to put precisely the required quantity of water anywhere on the course at a moment’s notice.
“Once the project was underway, Arden Lea discovered there was Sandstone underground – about 300mm deep – which they needed to get through to lay the mains pipework at about 600 or 700mm. This meant they had to use a tool similar to a hammer drill to break up the stone. Only then could they lay the pipe at the specified depth. Arden Lea showed real innovation. They took the problem on board and found a solution quickly.”
Toro products were used throughout. On the large greens, where achieving the correct water throw is essential, 15 Toro 690s were used – the largest sprinklers on the market. Some 500 Toro 800 Series sprinklers were employed overall, plus 90 of the 2001S, 50 Toro 720Gs and 30 of the new 835S sprinklers for the children’s course. Fifty P220 solenoid valves were fitted on tees only, for block control, and a new 3-wire, 6-zone PC-based Trident controller was installed to run the whole operation. This will be upgraded to include VIP mapping in the near future.
The equipment also includes a hand-held remote controller for instant watering anywhere on the course, and a fully automated pumping system using variable speed technology, to ensure that flow demand is delivered exactly.
North Berwick course superintendent Stuart Greenwood commented on the project: “The club is long-established and traditional, so it was important that we disrupted the course as little as possible. Everyone involved, from Robin Hume – especially Adrian Mortram – to Toro and Arden Lea, exceeded my expectations for quality and professionalism. You wouldn’t know any work was done at all and there was no disruption to play.
“I specified Toro product because I’ve always been very pleased with their course machinery and service, and it was a good decision,” added Stuart. “The new system gives us complete control over when and where we water, and ensures we can cope with any climate changes. Every year we have 50,000 rounds of golf, so course maintenance is a full-time job. The new irrigation is giving us that additional time-saving element and a good deal of flexibility.”
For more information please tel: 01480 226848 or email: cgilmore@lely.co.uk
Toro Irrigation products are distributed in the UK by Lely (UK) Limited, Station Road, St Neots, Cambridgeshire, PE19 1QH; tel: 01480 226848, email: toro.info@lely.co.uk
