Golf Course Architecture - Issue 65, July 2021

67 “The new Hunter system has drastically reduced the previous high manual watering requirements and allowed greenkeepers to relax, knowing that irrigation is safely and efficiently controlled,” said Ganning. “This means they can spend more time working on course maintenance to ensure an excellent playing experience for golfers.” “Since reopening we’ve had quite a lot of plaudits for our greens,” said Simpson. “The irrigation system will help us to maintain that, especially through dry periods. “Members will also see benefits on the aprons. And we’ve also done the tees, which was another reason why we went ahead with this project: we have quite a lot of tee surface and, previously, the sprinklers were in the middle of the tees, which was a waste. Now, they are outside, which gives us scope to start levelling them, so the playing surfaces become a lot better.” Kedleston has kept an awareness of its course’s heritage throughout this project and the past decade of work, ensuring its original 1939 James Braid design – which was completed by John Morrison of the Colt, Alison & Morrison firm in 1946 – is respected. “We are investing as much as we possibly can to make the golf course the best it can possibly be while being mindful of the course’s heritage,” said Simpson. “It needs to keep the characteristics of when it was designed but with a modern outlook.” The club is already looking at what to improve next. It has a five-year plan that includes collaborating with the National Trust and Natural England on woodland management, as well as potentially building a reed bed for a washdown area, upgrading the greenkeepers’ facilities and a grass practice area for members and tournament players. Simpson said: “The plan is purely to keep making the golf course and the facilities better and better.” GCA Photo: Hunter Industries Kedleston Park’s irrigation control system has been upgraded to Hunter’s Pilot Command Center Software with new rotors installed on all greens, approaches and tees