Rain Bird’s IC System™ technology allows smarter water use by communicating to every individual rotor on the course and one-of-a-kind course management through IC CONNECT™, all controlled from the palm of your hand, anywhere.
Killara Golf Course superintendent, Ryan Fury, installed the Rain Bird IC system across the 18-hole golf course four years ago and says it’s changed the way the team works. His team has a computer in the workshop to control the irrigation system, but also use the MI app on their mobile phone to turn the system on or off, as needed, while they are on the course.
“What’s really impressed me about the Rain Bird IC System, is that it was so easy to install and it’s so easy to use,” Ryan says. “The main benefit of the system is the feedback – you can easily test every sprinkler on the whole golf course in less than a minute.”
“There are now smarter and more efficient technology available for golf courses to take advantage of when using Rain Bird products,” Ryan says.
Living Turf’s National Irrigation Manager, Mac Ross, says Rain Bird’s IC System is unique and it’s the only one of its kind. The system operates in real-time, it’s expandable, extremely reliable and proven. “Golf course superintendents can use the system from their mobile phone or tablet, anywhere”. Operating in real-time, if it rains, the system will automatically pause irrigation and then resume with recalculated run times when the rain stops. If it’s too windy the system can pause and if there’s a mainline or pump failure, then the system can send an alarm.”
Mac has been busy, working to establish accounts with channel partners who have traditionally sold Rain Bird Products. “Living Turf’s message to those partners, is together we can all win. With Living Turf advocating for Rain Bird with end users, we will provide a reliable conduit for Superintendents for service and advice. Our intention is to work closely with our channel partners to allow golf courses to receive reliable product supply and exceptional project delivery.”
With water restrictions and lower rainfall affecting many Australian golf courses, the formation of a partnership between Living Turf and Rain Bird is a timely one. As Rain Bird’s exclusive distributor to the golf industry, Living Turf’s 25-strong turf ecology experts are now servicing golf courses around Australia for their agronomy, as well as their irrigation needs.
“It makes sense to discuss agronomy and irrigation together”, says Living Turf managing director Rob Cooper. “The golfing industry is under pressure to find more intelligent ways to use water, and Rain Bird are at the forefront of innovation in irrigation technology.”