Contractor Souters Irrigation Services has completed the replacement of 600 irrigation heads on the PGA Centenary course at Gleneagles in Scotland, which will host the 2014 Ryder Cup.

The heads had been in use since the course’s construction in 1990 and, according to Gleneagles golf courses and estates manager Scott Fenwick, there was growing concern over their long term reliability. The old heads across the entire course have been replaced by Toro dual trajectory full and part circle DT34B and DT35B sprinklers.

“The aim of the upgrade was to see that irrigation on the course was always 100 per cent efficient at all times,” said Fenwick. “Rainfall levels here have actually been steadily rising over the past five years and £800,000 has been recently spent on new drainage. However, there are often dry spells, sometimes lengthy, and it is vital that irrigation kicks in when needed to maximum effect.”

Using a template for the most effective sprinkler layout, all existing swing joints and heads were removed, replacements installed, and the course made good by sand backfilling and returfing. 

As GCA recently reported, Gleneagles is also considering the installation of the SubAir greens drainage and ventilation system on the Centenary course.