A Course Reborn

First opened in 1992 and designed by Peter Alliss and Clive Clark, the original Links course offered a coastal layout rare in Spain. Yet by the time a new hotel and resort redevelopment were underway, it was clear the Links layout needed a refresh to match the quality of its surroundings. American architect Kurtis Bowman led the redesign in 2021, reshaping tees and greens, repositioning bunkers, and elevating the playability of several key holes.

But modernization wasn’t just about layout. Sustainability was central to every design and agronomic decision. The original cool-season grasses, irrigated with reclaimed water, struggled in the region’s hot, dry summers. The team turned to warm-season Bermuda grass as it’s resilient, needs an estimated 25% less water and better withstands treated water.

Smarter Irrigation with CirrusPRO™

To complement the redesign, La Hacienda upgraded its legacy Rain Bird Nimbus™ II system to the new CirrusPRO™ Central Control. Working with irrigation consultants Acttua and distributor Riegoturf, the team installed a hybrid solution combining 18 satellites and 18 Rain Bird IC System™ field control stations across both the Links and Heathland courses.

The upgrade included:

• Two new pump stations engineered for the site’s varying elevations
• Over 1,200 Rain Bird 702 and 752 Series rotors, precisely placed for optimal coverage—even in naturalized fescue areas
• Real-time control and monitoring via mobile devices for instant, course-wide adjustments

“With the new CirrusPRO software, it is not only easy to adjust the sprinklers out on the golf course, but the software database can also be updated in real time using just a tablet or smartphone. As a result, any changes made on the course can be immediately reflected and adjusted within the software.”

Data-Driven Results

After completing renovations between October 2022 and April 2023, La Hacienda immediately saw the benefits. According to Barón, the team reduced irrigation water usage by 19% in the first year alone, thanks to optimized rotor placement, consistent system audits, and the advanced control capabilities of CirrusPRO.

“This is one of the most exciting course redesign projects in Spain in recent years,” adds Javier Gutiérrez García, Director of Agronomy at Acttua. “Kurtis Bowman solved every key issue from a playability standpoint, and the new irrigation system supports the resort’s sustainability goals without compromising performance. The response from golfers has been exceptional—demand is already surpassing expectations.”