Montaña Golf Course

Designing for a Mountain Climate

From the earliest stages of construction, water management shaped every decision. The terrain channels runoff at speed, with mountain torrents capable of overwhelming unprepared infrastructure in hours.

A comprehensive strategy was developed. Catch drains intercept hillside flow, open channels guide stormwater safely through the site. Extensive fairway herringbone drainage filters excess water into catch basins before transferring it to irrigation lakes. Erosion protection and silt management were prioritised throughout construction to safeguard both the land and long-term playability.

The result is a course engineered to withstand Vietnam’s intense wet seasons while remaining firm, consistent and visually pristine. Managing excess water, however, is only half the equation. Delivering it back to the course efficiently and sustainably required equal precision.

A Complete Reservoir-to-Rotor Solution

To achieve that control, the project team required a fully integrated irrigation platform. Irrigation consultant Adrian Mortram developed the system concept and oversaw its implementation, selecting Rain Bird products to deliver a complete reservoir-to-rotor solution under one unified platform.

The system is engineered to manage a 44-metre elevation change between irrigation lakes and playing surfaces. Dual mainline systems accommodate higher and lower pressure zones, while pressure-release valves installed across three lakes regulate flow and protect infrastructure from stress caused by significant elevation shifts.

Across the property, 1,776 Rain Bird 752 Series rotors and 720 702IC rotors provide precise coverage on greens, tees, fairways and surrounds. At the core of the network, the Rain Bird IC System™ integrates with CirrusPRO™ Central Control, enabling real-time monitoring, individual head control and advanced water management capabilities.

The outcome is uniform distribution, efficient water use and complete operational visibility across a landscape defined by extremes.

Performance Without Compromise

At peak construction, 50,000 cubic metres of earth were moved daily. Infrastructure had to evolve alongside shaping and grading, with irrigation design working in parallel with engineering to ensure slopes, drainage corridors and turf performance aligned seamlessly.

For the ownership group at TUDI, reliability and long-term resilience were paramount. With remote mountain logistics, volatile weather patterns and significant elevation change, an integrated and proven irrigation system was essential.

The selected Rain Bird technology provides consistency across every component, from pump stations to final rotor, delivering the control required to maintain championship conditions in a challenging environment.

As Montaña prepares for opening, the sweeping fairways and dramatic mountain setting will capture attention. Beneath that landscape, an advanced irrigation network works continuously to protect turf quality and optimise performance.

Rain Bird Solutions

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