The beginning

At the beginning of 2.022 we were contacted by Salobre Golf Resort, a two 18-hole golf course Resort, to study the condition of the soils of the playing surfaces. These have been irrigated with high salinity and high sodium water for several years, making their management very challenging. So that, the study had to be extended into a comprehensive agronomy audit, in which the established turfgrass species, the irrigation system and the machinery were evaluated. Along with this audit, a topographic survey of the two courses was carried out.

The masterplan

Besides, the Resort commissioned a long-range master plan to the renowned golf course architect David J. Williams that aims to solve problems associated with security on the future housing development, which is located on adjacent land to the South course limits. Thus, the masterplan includes the relocation and addition of bunkers, as well as the relocation of tee boxes. It will also account for modifications that improve sustainability in both courses. This will be achieved by the redefinition of the playing surface perimeters, that reduces of the total turfed area, as well as the creation of native areas. As a result of these changes, the use of water and energy will be reduced significantly.

Our role as agronomy consultants

Before the end of 2.022, we agreed on a new consulting collaboration framework, which includes the three following main lines of action:

– The technical analysis of the proposed works in the Masterplan, as well as the necessary technical support to carry them out satisfactorily in time and form.

– The development of a water management plan, that includes the reduction of the number of existing pump stations and the reconsideration of the lake in hole #12 as a water reservoir. This plan will reduce energy costs significantly, as well as increase water availability for each irrigation event by 60%.

– The provision of our services as agronomy consultants, that include the development of a taylor-made agronomy planification that considers the particularities of the soils, the irrigation water and the existing resources at the Resort. It will also include follow up visits and the supervision of the works by our principal consultants.

In the beginning of December 2.022, we travelled to Gran Canaria, and met with Course Manager Alejandro González and Head Greenkeeper Mario Tirado to define the water management plan and the new agronomic planning. These are very exciting challenges, and we are sure that their accomplishment will result in an improvement of the quality of the golf courses as well as a reduction of the maintenance costs.