Golf Club
Grand Ducal
A Historic Course with Royal Roots
Located just a short drive from Luxembourg Airport, Golf Club Grand Ducal Luxembourg is a classic 1930s golf course set in densely wooded parkland. The land for the course was contributed by Her Royal Highness Charlotte, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, in 1934. The course was designed by Major J.C. Symonds, inspired by Tom Simpson, and officially opened in 1935. Despite the challenges of World War II, which led to the temporary dissolution of the Association Sportive Golf-Club Grand-Ducal, the course was fully restored by 1948.
The Challenge: Outdated Irrigation System
Eighty years after its opening, the club faced significant challenges with its outdated irrigation system. Head Greenkeeper Leslie Cain explains, “The audit revealed what we knew—how poor the system design was with just 45% coverage.” The need for a modern, efficient system was clear.
Key Players
Golf Director: Patrick Fromowicz
Head Greenkeeper: Leslie Cain
Agronomic Consultant: Alejandro Reyes, Turfgrass Agronomy and Services
System Designer: Luis Doncel, Imaginieur
Contractor: Terideal
The Solution: A Complete Overhaul
To address these issues, the club brought in agronomic consultant Alejandro Reyes from Turfgrass Agronomy and Services to conduct a comprehensive audit. The results led to the decision to install a completely new irrigation system, designed by hydraulic engineer Luis Doncel from Imaginieur.
The Installation: State-of-the-Art Technology
In October 2023, contractors from Terideal began installing the Rain Bird® IC System™ with CirrusPRO™ Central Control software. The project involved the installation of over 1,000 new 702, 752, and 952 Series rotors, and was completed by April 2024.
Luis Doncel from Imaginieur commented:
“As sustainable water management specialists, our goal is to make water use on every golf course as efficient as possible. At Golf Club Grand Ducal, we designed a hard-line irrigation system to ensure good coverage across the course, particularly in the summer months when there is less rain. The Rain Bird® IC System™ allows precise control over water distribution, ensuring that no areas become too wet or too dry. Additionally, we installed back-to-back rotors on greens to cater to the specific needs of different turf varieties and soil compositions.”
Results: Improved Efficiency and Playability
Leslie Cain, Head Greenkeeper, remarked:
“Rain Bird had been recommended to us several times, and it was my preferred choice. The old system was frequently damaged by thunderstorms, but with the Rain Bird® IC System™, we’ve achieved far greater control and efficiency. We now have 5-7 rotors on our tees, compared to just two before, and three lines on fairways, replacing the previous single line. The new system not only reduces our workload but also eliminates the need for manual watering during off-hours.”
The new system also features Rain Watch™ technology, which automatically measures rainfall and adjusts irrigation to prevent overwatering, ensuring optimal water efficiency.
Since installation was completed in 2024. the greenkeeping team at Grand Ducal have been testing out the new system and learning its full capabilities. One of the younger members of the team is the irrigation technician and, having attended Rain Bird’s irrigation training in the UK, will be working with Head Greenkeeper Leslie Cain operating the new CirrusPRO™ software.
Cain’s advice to other clubs looking at system renovation is to start the process with an irrigation specialist and system designer who will first carry out a thorough audit of the system in place and then pinpoint exactly what is needed for your course.
Testimonial
“What’s so great is the real-time interface and the control it brings—it’s extremely easy to use and the new IC System is dependable, giving us everything Rain Bird promised it could.“
-Patrick Fromowicz
Golf Director
Golf Club Grand Ducal
Continue Reading
Baltusrol Golf Club
When one of America’s great clubs undertook a massive double golf course restoration, they knew the irrigation system would be the “backbone” for the future. They chose Rain Bird.
Carlton Woods Golf Course
Carlton Woods Golf Course chose a Rain Bird IC System and Rain Bird Pump Station with Smart Pump to renovate their Nicklaus golf course irrigation system.
