Wellingborough
Golf Club
In the heart of the Northamptonshire countryside, Wellingborough Golf Club spans 160 acres of rolling parkland. This 18-hole championship course, established in 1893, regularly hosts premier PGA and County golf events. The course was initially laid out by Old Tom Morris, and since its relocation in 1922, it has become a treasured landmark, complete with the historic Harrowden Hall as its clubhouse.
Since 1998, Wellingborough Golf Club has undergone extensive improvements, including rebuilt greens, tees, bunkers, and drainage systems. However, as Course Manager Steve Mackie explains, the club recently faced challenges with their aging irrigation system, prompting the decision to modernize.
Project Overview
Wellingborough Golf Club decided it was time for a complete overhaul of their irrigation system due to difficulties in sourcing parts and managing long watering periods. The goal was to ensure more efficient irrigation, better coverage for surrounds and approaches, and the potential to expand in the future.
Giles Wardle of Irriplan was brought on board to design and specify a new system tailored to these needs. “The design challenge was altering the system architecture to deliver more efficient irrigation and provide cover for surrounds and approaches so these could be cut closer more often,” Wardle explained.
Key Players
General Manager: Dan Hacker
Course Manager: Steve Mackie
Irrigation Consultant: Giles Wardle, Irriplan
Contractor: Ocmis
Distributor: OAS
Design and Installation
The club sought a balance between new technology and simplicity. After consulting with several other clubs, they chose Rain Bird for their needs-based approach. “We wanted new technology but didn’t want anything overly complicated. Rain Bird gave us great advice without the hard sell,” Mackie said.
Ocmis was appointed as the main contractor, starting work in May 2023. The team completed the installation in record time—just under forty working days—causing minimal disruption to the course. “Ocmis had an efficient team working long days every day. Only one green or hole was closed at any time, so disruption to play was minimal, especially during our peak golfing season,” Mackie added.
Advanced Technology and Results
The renovation also included moving the pump house to a more strategic location near the existing irrigation lake. This required installing a new power supply and re-routing main cabling. Despite the challenging clay and ironstone soils, the installation went smoothly.
“Originally, the club’s water storage was near the main road, and pumping water uphill was a challenge. The new design includes a new power supply at the lake and an all-new pumping system,” Wardle noted.
Looking Forward
The successful renovation and modernization of Wellingborough Golf Club’s irrigation system stand as a testament to the club’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards. With their new Rain Bird system in place, the club is well-positioned to offer impeccable course conditions for many years to come.
Testimonial
“CirrusPRO™ is new and so easy to use – it’s unbelievable, especially as you can access it from anywhere. Even our apprentice uses it from a tablet. The difference now is that our irrigation window is only three hours, instead of eleven, we’re applying water exactly where we want it to be and the system measures times, application rates and the exact quantity of water being used.”
-Steve Mackie
Course Manager
Wellingborough Golf Club
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