Gleneagles in Scotland has started an irrigation project on its PGA Centenary course.

Originally known as the Monarch’s course, the layout was designed by Jack Nicklaus and Ron Kirby and opened in 1993. It hosted the Ryder Cup in 2014 and the Solheim Cup in 2019.

The five-month project aims to improve playing conditions with the installation of a new Rain Bird irrigation system that will also help reduce water usage and power consumption. Nearly 25 miles of new pipes and 33.5 miles of cabling will be laid as well as installing 1,414 sprinkler heads.

“As we’ve come to experience prolonged dry spells in recent years, our significant investment in the latest irrigation technology will ensure we’re fully prepared to maintain the golf course to the very highest standard in the years to come,” said Andrew Jowett, director of golf at Gleneagles.

“From a practical perspective, the new system will allow us to irrigate every mown area of the course, including greens and surrounds, tee complexes, approaches and fairways, under the control of individual sprinkler heads, from a handheld device, at any time.”

The project follows other work on the resort’s King’s course in 2022 and Queen’s course in 2019.

The Centenary course will reopen for play in April 2024.