Irrigation Control Ltd – a leading UK sports turf irrigation specialist – has successfully installed a new €1.1 million automated tee-to-green watering system at Tsada Golf Club, the course which, when it opened in 1994, started the golf boom in Cyprus.
The Cheshire-based company was called upon to provide blanket irrigation to greens, approaches, surrounds, carries, fairways, semi-rough, tees, driving range and practice greens at the club, which features an 18-hole tournament course near Paphos.
The project required a complete renewal of the existing irrigation system as part of a major modification of the Donald Steel and Company-designed layout – the oldest of Cyprus’s three tournament courses – by golf course architects Mackenzie & Ebert.
Leading irrigation consultants Irriplan Ltd designed a system that incorporated more than 22,000 metres of pipe and cable, 800 sprinklers, a brand new state-of-the-art pumping station, a pc control system, a weather station, a lightning warning and protection system and a remote control facility. All were installed by Irrigation Control during the five-month long project.
Irrigation Control Ltd managing director, Phil Breakey, said, “Water is a precious commodity in Cyprus and we had to install a system which provides blanket irrigation for the course while conserving water at the same time.
“Added to that, our team had to ensure the existing system – which was in urgent need of replacement – continued to operate right up until we were able to switch over.
“We were excited to take part in the modification of Tsada Golf Club, as Cyprus is one of Europe’s fastest-growing golf destinations and we see the country playing a major role in the ongoing growth of our business.”
David Ashley, golf course manager at Cyprus Golf Resorts, who manage Tsada Golf Club, said, “The commitment and professionalism shown by the Irrigation Control team was exemplary; they were very helpful, nothing was too much to ask and they were a pleasure to work with.”
Tom Mackenzie of Mackenzie & Ebert said, “This was a highly complex project where the old irrigation system had to be kept working throughout the installation of the new system during the height of the Cyprus summer. Phil and his team performed well and worked closely with the greenstaff and John Greasley Ltd, the golf course contractor, to hit project deadlines. Cooperation between contractors is vital for the success of every project, especially one as challenging as this – a good example of how British golf expertise is helping the world’s emerging golf destinations raise their game.”
Giles Wardle, Irriplan’s founding director, said, “I am impressed with the way Irrigation Control handled the difficult logistics and technical challenges of this project. Their array of top quality machinery and dedicated staff ensured the installation was completed ahead of schedule, despite the very tough ground conditions and blistering heat.”
The Cypriot government is in the process of granting planning permission for nine new courses. Cyprus has become a big opportunity for many British golf industry companies.
Irrigation Control Ltd www.irrigationcontrol.co.uk
Mackenzie & Ebert www.mackenzieandebert.co.uk
John Greasley Ltd www.johngreasleyltd.co.uk
Irriplan Ltd www.irriplan.net
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