Key Points
When considering the feasibility of a project, it is vital to understand the quantity and quality of the water that is, and will be, available.
Irrigation systems are increasingly flexible (and complex) so hiring a talented and qualified irrigation design consultant early on in the design process will ensure that the irrigation system is designed to the specific requirements of the golf course.
In many parts of the world, water will be one of the golf course’s greatest fixed costs. A well-designed irrigation system can pay for itself in added water and electricity efficiencies.
The availability of water is one of the most important considerations when planning a new golf course. Most projects are not “real” before a feasibility study has been conducted to identify the source, quality, and quantity of the water that is available to be used for irrigation. Once the quantity of water has been determined, the golf course architect can begin to design the golf course and define a realistic area of maintained turf to be irrigated.
The irrigation design consultant is normally hired by the owner and will work alongside the golf course architect to design and oversee the installation of an irrigation system that will deliver water to the maintained turf and landscaping as efficiently as possible.
In this blog post we will attempt to answer the following questions: What are the typical primary responsibilities of the irrigation design consultant? How can a well-designed irrigation system pay for itself over the life of the project? What's the best way for the irrigation design consultant to insure that the irrigation system is used as it was designed to be used over the long-term?
Responsibilities of the Irrigation Design Consultant
Specific responsibilities of the irrigation design consultant typically include:
Working closely with the client and the golf course architect in an iterative process to match resources, desired playability, and anticipated irrigation management to define the best irrigation solution for a good long-term outcome;
Determining the storage requirement for an irrigation pond or ponds;
Providing a detailed irrigation system design, including the sizes and locations of the pumps, pipes, wiring, satellites (if a satellite, rather than decoder, system), and sprinkler heads;
Providing a detailed narrative of the reasoning behind the system design and the optimal way to use the irrigation system for future superintendents;
Impartially recommending the best irrigation system manufacturer for the golf course;
Providing detailed specifications and a bill of quantities so that contractors can bid on the installation of the irrigation system;
Evaluating bids and advising on the selection of the irrigation installation contractor;
Staking the irrigation system and making adjustments based on field conditions and value engineering;
Overseeing the installation of the irrigation system by the irrigation installation contractor;
Providing or approving an as-built of the installed irrigation system;
Punch-list, final approval, and hand-off of the installed irrigation system.
See Step 10: The Design and Installation of the Irrigation System for more information about irrigation system design and installation.
Coordination between the Golf Course Architect, the Consulting Agronomist, and the Irrigation Design Consultant
As discussed in Step 3: The Importance of a Consulting Agronomist, it is important to assemble a qualified team of professional consultants early in the design process so the planning and design can be as comprehensive and accurate as possible. Anything overlooked during the design phase can potentially lead to added cost and scheduling delays down the road. Much like with the consulting agronomist, it is very helpful if the irrigation design consultant has previously worked in the geographic area of the golf course and is familiar with local supply chains and atmospheric conditions.
Once the golf course architect has completed a preliminary design, the irrigation design consultant can evaluate the adequacy of the available water supply and, if necessary, help the golf course architect to value engineer the golf course design to lower irrigation costs without significant loss of performance, function, or efficiency. Assuming there’s an adequate supply of water, today’s state-of-the art irrigation systems provide the flexibility to efficiently water just about anything the golf course architect and consulting agronomist can imagine.
The irrigation design consultant and the consulting agronomist will work together with the golf course architect to achieve the owner’s vision for the golf course’s playing characteristics (e.g. emphasizing ground game or aerial game), how the course will look (e.g. how many rows of sprinklers in each fairway, full vs half circles, hard edges vs more naturalized edges, lush and green or firm and brown), and how and to what level the golf course will be maintained.
The Sustainable Use of Water and Electricity
Water is a constant input for every golf course and, in areas where water is scarce, can be one of the largest ongoing maintenance expenditures. It is therefore imperative, for the long-term economic and environmental sustainability of the golf course, to design the most cost-effective and efficient irrigation system. Furthermore, while new irrigation systems are inherently more efficient than older systems, an experienced irrigation design consultant can find additional efficiencies for both water and electricity in the sizing and layout of the irrigation pumps and heads, resulting in potentially substantial long-term cost savings. Modern irrigation systems are designed to prioritize efficiency and give superintendents all of the data and flexibility they need to use minimal water to maximal effect.
Perhaps the greatest efficiencies can be found when the irrigation design consultant works closely with the day-to-day irrigation manager (most likely the golf course superintendent) to ensure that the system is used as it was designed to be operated. Since there is often turnover in the superintendent position, the irrigation design consultant can proactively ensure long-term efficiency by preparing a detailed narrative of the reasoning behind his or her design decisions and suggestions for optimal operation of the irrigation system.
Contact Sustain Golf for more information!
An affordable and sustainable source of water is vital for a successful golf course development and a qualified irrigation design consultant will help the golf course architect to use the water that is available most effectively and efficiently. We have worked with outstanding irrigation design consultants around the world on a variety of projects. We would be happy to make recommendations or answer any questions that you might have about sustainable golf course design, construction, or irrigation best practices. Visit www.SustainGolf.com or contact us at the following address for more information: Contact@SustainGolf.com.
The European Institute of Golf Course Architects (EIGCA), in partnership with the GEO Foundation, has developed a continuing professional development program for its members called Raising the Standard of Sustainable Golf Course Development, or RSSGCD. This is the industry’s only structured program in the world to specifically train golf course architects in sustainable golf course design, construction, and maintenance best practices. A Sustain Golf team member has attained Stage 3 of this rigorous program.
A Sustain Golf team member is also currently serving on the EIGCA’s Sustainability Committee and is a GEO Certified Accredited Sustainability Verifier.
We firmly believe that common sense sustainable design, construction, and maintenance practices are the keys to the long-term survival of the game of golf. We aspire to be on the leading edge of applying sustainability concepts to golf course design, construction, and maintenance.
Up Next:
Step 5: Design Documentation and the Bid Tender Process
Sustain Golf is a collaborative group of like-minded qualified golf course architects. We are also qualified and experienced as civil engineers, vertical architects, and project managers. We have the breadth and diversity of experience and knowledge to offer a full suite of golf course design and construction services, from first concept to opening day on your new or remodeled golf course.
Peer Review:
Don Mahaffey, President, Greenscape Methods LLC
Dr. Keith Duff, former UK government wildlife agency Chief Scientist, current Golf Environment Consultant
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