TUCSON, ARIZ - When renovation is completed later this year, Spyglass Hill's new irrigation equipment will mirror that of Pebble Beach Golf Links and The Links at Spanish Bay, both owned by Pebble Beach Co. Equipment includes Rain Bird's Cirrus central control, 500, 550, 700 and 750 Eagle series gear drive rotors, and the Freedom System handheld remote.
"We decided to renovate with Rain Bird based on the strong relationships and successes that Pebble Beach Co. has had with them over the past decade," said Spyglass Hill superintendent Chris Dalhamer. "We're excited about the support they've shown and the new technology they offer. Utilizing cutting-edge technology is important on a golf course like ours."
Spyglass Hill is undergoing an overhaul of its irrigation system to enhance playing conditions and help maintain its status. An annual host of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am and the California State Amateur qualifying tournaments, Spyglass is considered one of the most challenging courses in Northern California. It also poses challenges with efficient irrigation practices. The new system will help alleviate these challenges and promote a more consistent playing course and healthier turf grass, Dalhamer said.
"Our main objective is to improve the irrigation system so that we can water more efficiently, while reducing water use, and energy and labor costs," he said.
Spyglass Hill features various microclimates: heavily forested, shaded areas versus open areas exposed to the sun and ocean; and rough areas with dense clay soil versus sand-capped fairways. Prior to renovation, Dalhamer didn't have the ability to turn on one rotor at a time. The microclimates that required different volumes of water would receive the same amount, which caused some areas to receive too little or too much water. The new system will be wired to give Dalhamer the capability to turn on individual heads as needed.
Around the greens, Rain Bird's Eagle series rotors were installed and repositioned in comparison to the previously existing sprinkler heads. The redesign and addition of the new half-circle heads will offer more precise distribution of water on greens, green banks and around bunkers, he said.
"We used to just run full heads around the greens, so whenever we wanted to water the greens really heavy, we had to water the banks really heavy as well," Dalhamer said.
The Freedom system will help save time. The handheld devise provides access to every rotor on the course via a GPS map and allows the flexibility to adjust running times without the need to turn on the heads from the satellites.
"It's an amazing advancement in irrigation to be able to basically operate the central control from the palm of your hand while on the course," he said.
For more information about Rain Bird products, visit www.rainbird.com/golf, or call (800) 984-2255.