Golf de
Roquebrune

Two Technologies Managed as One with Practical, Proactive Software

Nestled between Cannes and Saint-Tropez, just minutes from Saint-Raphaël and Sainte-Maxime, Golf de Roquebrune is a crown jewel of the French Riviera. This prestigious course offers breathtaking views of the Bay of Saint-Raphaël and the Massif des Maures, making it one of the premier golf destinations in the South of France.

Designed in 1989 by Dutch architect Udo Barth and remodeled by French golf architect Michel Gayon in 2009, the 18-hole course challenges golfers with over 40 bunkers and six water features across its picturesque landscape.

Challenge

With summer temperatures reaching up to 38°C, irrigation is a critical challenge for Golf de Roquebrune. The course relies on water from the Canal de Provence, stored in a retention lake, which ensures supply even during droughts. However, optimizing water usage remains a top priority for sustainability.

The course’s existing irrigation system, built in two phases, featured outdated equipment: nine holes operated with satellites and seven-hole block systems, while the other nine relied on 80 decoders. These systems, controlled by two separate computers, were inefficient and unreliable.

Bruno Bernard of AGME Consult explained:
“The 2019 irrigation audit revealed a need for modernization. The system was old and fragmented, with two incompatible technologies and a single pump station. It demanded extensive manual management, making daily operations cumbersome.”

Solution

In 2020, Golf de Roquebrune began its irrigation transformation by converting its system to Rain Bird Central Control. This hybrid solution unified satellite and IC System™ technologies under a single control platform, simplifying future upgrades or expansions.

Key features like Rain Bird’s FloManager® optimized irrigation windows, prevented over-watering, and reduced pump station power consumption.

By 2024, the course advanced further by adopting CirrusPRO™, Rain Bird’s cutting-edge control technology. This upgrade offered unparalleled control, automation, and efficiency.

Results

Florian Maldonado, Greenkeeper at Golf de Roquebrune, highlighted CirrusPRO’s transformative impact:
“CirrusPRO is practical and proactive. Its daily auto-generated reports make troubleshooting effortless, instantly identifying issues like rotor malfunctions. The system’s geo-location feature provides real-time visibility, allowing us to adjust irrigation directly from the course. These capabilities save us significant time and labor costs.”

CirrusPRO’s intuitive design has streamlined operations, enabling the entire irrigation system to be managed via smartphone or other devices. Maldonado praised its user-friendliness:
“Even those without IT experience can use it confidently. Regular technology updates introduce new features, further enhancing efficiency and sustainability.”

Golf de Roquebrune’s commitment to innovation and sustainability ensures it remains one of the most celebrated courses in the French Riviera. With CirrusPRO and Rain Bird’s integrated solutions, the course has set a new standard for efficient, sustainable golf course management.


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