Written by: Chris Whittle
2021
An audit of the irrigation system at Royal Birkdale Golf Club highlighted just how much water was being wasted on roughs and surrounding areas. The grasses in these areas were becoming coarser and more difficult to play from.
A new system has recently been installed and designed to irrigate only the intensively managed parts of the golf course. The 2018 drought was a good test for the new system which passed with flying colours. Previously irrigated roughs are already thinning out, and beginning to revert back to the more favoured bents and fescues, much to the golfers delight. We estimate a reduction in water use of about 35%.
