The original design
The irrigation system at Seve’s 9-hole golf course was installed in 1.992, and went through subsequent renovations in holes 2, 3 and 9.
The design consisted in a “single-row” sprinkler layout with heterogenous spacing in tees, and a triangular 20-meter spacing layout in the green complexes. The impact-sprinklers that were used at the time were operated in blocks, which simultaneously activated a number of them. Originally, these were controlled by satellites, and later, this system was replaced by the installation of decoders following a renovation that took place in the 18-hole course. This allowed to unify the control of both courses using a 2-wire system and managed as a whole from the central irrigation control software Cirrus.
The Audit
The Audit revealed very valuable conclusions in different areas. Regarding the existing valves in the main irrigation line, it confirmed the necessity of installing more isolation valves as well as air-release valves. Also, the need of regulating the existing working pressure in the low-lying areas of the golf course, so that block-operated sprinklers can perform adequately. Thunderstorms are a serious threat in Pedreña so that the condition of the existing control wire earthing protections were checked. Finally, with respect to the pump station, the Audit revealed that there is room for improvement in the security and control system.
The future
The irrigation distribution uniformity (DU) in the renovated areas was a 15% higher than the original ones, what leads to the conclusion that the future of the system goes through a renovation that includes individual controlled rotors laid out in a triangular pattern. The new system will have to be compatible with the existing 2-wire control system, so that the whole system can be controlled from the central control software. Finally, and bearing water conservation in mind, future renovations must match the limits of the irrigated areas with the perimeters of the playing surfaces using part circled sprinklers.