Rain at Last! An Irrigation Project Update

After another scorching period, Harleyford has finally received some much-needed rain.

Earlier this year, the Club completed the largest capital investment project in its history with the installation of a brand-new irrigation system. Following an exceptionally hot and dry summer, we wanted to explain how the system has performed, why the fairways responded as they did and what happens next.

How has the new irrigation system performed?

The system has performed very well.

Players will hopefully have noticed a considerable improvement in water distribution across the greens, tees and surrounds. The new technology gives our Greenkeeping Team much greater control, allowing them to apply water more accurately to individual areas of the course.

There have inevitably been a few teething issues during the first season, and the team has continued to hand-water isolated hotspots during periods of extreme heat. Overall, however, the system has significantly improved our ability to manage moisture levels across the golf course.

What is happening to the fairways?

We have begun what we believe to be the largest disc-seeding operation ever undertaken at Harleyford.

Tonnes of drought-tolerant grass seed are being introduced across the fairways. The disc seeder creates narrow grooves and places the seed directly into the soil, improving its contact with moisture and giving it a much better opportunity to germinate successfully.

With more favourable temperatures and moisture levels, the seed should begin to establish before the colder winter weather arrives. It will not transform every fairway immediately, but it is a significant first step towards creating stronger and more drought-resistant playing surfaces.

Why weren’t the fairways green throughout the summer?

The fairways have been irrigated since the middle of April. However, installing irrigation does not immediately change the quality or composition of the grass already growing on them.

For approximately 30 years, the fairways have experienced repeated periods of drought and heat stress without regular irrigation. Although the system initially helped to keep them green and alive, the existing grass struggled as the exceptionally hot and dry conditions continued.

That is why the current seeding programme is so important. Over time, it will introduce more resilient grass varieties that are better able to benefit from the new irrigation system.

Why didn’t we simply apply more water?

During the most intense periods of the heatwave, moisture was being lost extremely quickly through evaporation and the grass plant itself.

On a typical sunny summer day, we may need to apply approximately 3mm of water to give the fairways an effective overnight drink. During the hottest periods, as much as 15mm could have been required to provide a similar benefit.

Applying that amount repeatedly across every fairway would not have been responsible or sustainable. Much of the additional water could also have been lost through evaporation and run-off.

The purpose of irrigation is not simply to make every area appear green. It is to use water responsibly while protecting the health of the grass plant and its root structure.

How are we managing our water supply?

Our reservoir is an important part of the new system, allowing us to store water for use when it is required. We are also fortunate to have a borehole that can feed the reservoir, particularly during the winter months when we can replenish our stored water ahead of the main growing season.

The new transfer pump is now operating successfully, making it much easier and more efficient to move water from the reservoir into the irrigation network.

Eight new aeration domes are also circulating and oxygenating the reservoir water, helping to improve its quality and reduce stagnation.

Together, the reservoir, borehole, transfer pump and irrigation network now provide the Club with far greater control and resilience than ever before.

What work is still to be completed?

There are some snagging and visual reinstatement works remaining around the golf course following the installation.

The contractors will return when weather and ground conditions are more favourable. This will give the affected areas a much better opportunity to recover and establish successfully once the work has been completed.

What can we expect next year?

We are extremely confident that the fairways will improve.

The combination of extensive disc seeding, more drought-tolerant grass varieties and regular irrigation puts us in a much stronger position ahead of next season.

During future heatwaves, the fairways may still lose some of their green colour. However, a loss of colour does not necessarily mean the grass has died. Our priority will be to protect the plant and its root structure, creating a more consistent playing surface and allowing the fairways to recover more quickly when cooler and wetter conditions return.

This project was always intended to be a long-term investment rather than an overnight transformation. We cannot reverse approximately 30 years of fairway development in a single season, but we now have the infrastructure required to deliver meaningful and lasting improvements.

We are excited about the future and confident that the new irrigation system, combined with the Greenkeeping Team’s continued work, will create a stronger, healthier and more resilient golf course for many years to come.