Golf Course Architecture - Issue 65, July 2021

66 manager for Hunter Industries, to discuss irrigation upgrades. “Our irrigation system was 20 years old,” said Simpson. “We’d put new pumps in, but it was becoming difficult to control the water. It was getting difficult to differentiate between the greens and the amount of water that was going on as some greens that are exposed need more water, while some are sheltered, and need less. “There were also issues with exposed greens during windy conditions: water from the sprinklers was being blown in the rough. Although our irrigation system was working, it wasn’t working to the capabilities that the greenkeepers wanted.” In November 2020, Kedleston’s committee approved a project to complete irrigation upgrades throughout the course that would cost around £200,000, which the club could fund without any borrowing. “Head greenkeeper Mark Hillaby provided input throughout the project,” said Simpson. “He identified the need to upgrade the system, contacted suppliers and worked very closely with the contractor, Irrigation Control. “They had a window at the start of 2021 and when that coincided with the UK going into its third national lockdown, we took advantage of our course closure and started the project.” Hunter Industries and Irrigation Control began the three-month project on 5 January 2021, upgrading the irrigation control system to Hunter’s Pilot Command Center Software. “The new system is highly intuitive, and it effectively manages all aspects of course irrigation with only a few clicks of a mouse,” said Ganning. “Mark oversaw the irrigation project from conception right through to the delivery,” said Simpson. “He was here, boots on the ground, making sure everything went as it should do.” The project did not have the easiest of starts when Derbyshire experienced one of its wettest Januarys in recent years. “Although we had a wet start, we were lucky that all the ducks came into line, because Irrigation Control had a free golf course to go at,” said Simpson. “They didn’t have to work in a certain order to reduce disrupting the golf.” Hunter GT-885D golf rotors were installed on all greens and approaches. “These individually controlled rotors deliver unmatched distribution uniformity while ensuring that routine maintenance remains fast and efficient, with no disruption to the surrounding turf due to the rotors TTS [Totally Top Service] feature,” said Ganning. “Highly robust I-20 rotors and multi- stream, multi-trajectory MP rotator nozzles were also installed outside the areas of play on tees to maximise water savings and ensure healthy consistent playing surfaces.” Work was completed on 20 March, nine days before the golf course reopened to members following the lifting of coronavirus restrictions in the UK. Testing of the new Hunter system was also completed, fine-tuned and a hands on training session was conducted with the greenkeeping staff to show them how to change, repair and calibrate the sprinklers. Ganning says the upgrades to the irrigation equipment has ensured reliable performance across the system, uniformity across greens, tees and playing surfaces being the main beneficiaries. KEDLESTON PARK “ We are investing as much as we possibly can to make the golf course the best it can possibly be”