Kasugai
Country Club
Introduction
At Kasugai Country Club, ensuring the greens are vibrant and healthy is vital for providing an exceptional experience for all golfers. Nestled in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, the club boasts a total of 36 holes, split evenly between the East Course and the West Course. Designed by the renowned Seiichi Inoue in 1964—the same year Japan hosted its first Tokyo Olympics—Kasugai Country Club has etched its name into the annals of Japanese golf history, serving as the host for prestigious events such as the Japan Professional Golf Championship in 1969, the Japan Open in 1975, and the Japan Women’s Open in 1980.
As the club celebrated its 60th anniversary in October 2024, significant renovations were undertaken on the East Course, running from December 2023 to October 2024. This project aimed to enhance the club’s overall value, with a focus on transitioning from two greens to one, embodying the principles of strategy, beauty, and sustainability.
Project Goals
- Strategy: Provide a course that can be enjoyed by a wide range of golfers.
- Aesthetics: Realize a sustainable design that blends in with the local area.
- Beauty: Consider the environment and reduce maintenance costs and labor.
Challenge 1:
Kasugai Country Club has six different ponds strategically placed throughout the golf course. These ponds enhance the natural beauty of the landscape and serve as a vital source for irrigation. Water from these ponds is collected and utilized to maintain the lush greens and fairways. However, the supply of water is limited, which requires efficient management to ensure that the course remains in great condition while also conserving this resource.
Solution: Linking the weather stations
The volume of water utilized for irrigation can be effectively monitored using CirrusPRO™. By connecting the system to a weather station irrigation efficiency can be enhanced, taking into account both rainfall and evapotranspiration (ET) values.
Challenge 2
The course had an irrigation system that had been installed, however, over time the control system and field equipment have suffered damage due to aging. Because of this, irrigation work relied on manually opening and closing solenoid valves. This manual process does not only complicate irrigation management but also significantly increases labor demands, making it challenging to maintain an efficient water distribution system.
Solution: Establishing two-way communication between central control system and rotors
For effective management of water distribution, robust two-way communication between the central control system and the rotors was essential. Their new Rain Bird IC System™ diagnostic capability allows for the early detection of issues, thereby minimizing maintenance expenses.
Challenge 3:
The sprinklers are operated using a block system, which limits precise water control. Domestic impact sprinklers are placed randomly across the golf course, thereby leading to uneven water distribution. Because of this, excessive watering is necessary across the block to ensure there is more uniform coverage.
Solution: Improve uniformity of water
Utilizing a valve-in-head system enables precise water management, which enhances the consistency of water distribution when placed head-to-head. This system allows fine water control and improves the distribution rate across the golf course block.
What was the end result?
A fully electronically controlled, full valve-in-head system was implemented, and course management was successfully streamlined. Workers were now able to manage the sprinklers effectively, allowing them to focus their resources on essential maintenance tasks. This also resolved the water shortages that plagued us during the hot summer months. Moreover, we permitted golf carts on the fairways, which had been challenging in Japan’s undulating landscapes. The appropriately managed humidity levels on the field made this feasible, a service that is particularly appreciated by elderly and female golfers. Kasugai Country Club has become a model case of the new prestigious course in Japan.
“We aimed to become a role model golf course in Japan” says Takashi Oya, project manager, “and this was achieved when we were chosen as the venue for Asia’s largest golf tournament in 2026.”
Testimonial
“Japan is one of countries most notably affected by an aging and declining population. This issue had begun to impact both course management and the request from golfers. I urged Mr. Matsuoka, the owner of Kasugai CC, to adopt Rain Bird’s latest irrigation system to address this issue. I was confident that this solution would send a significant message to the entire Japanese golf industry and enhance the brand of Kasugai Country Club.”
-Takashi Oya
Business Consultant
Kasugai Country Club
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