Lynx instincts prove correct at Royal Cromer

The equipment

Toro Lynx Central Control system

The background

Royal Cromer Golf Club on the North Norfolk coast was facing challenges with its irrigation based on its windy coastal location and ageing system. 

The team was struggling to maintain coverage and keep playing surfaces up to par. Numerous man hours were being wasted as the greenkeeping team hand-watered and nursed the ailing system and water was being lost through leaks and inefficient application.

The brief

The project was put out into a competitive tender process and a full Toro system upgrade was specified by irrigation consultant Adrian Mortram from Robin Hume Associates. The system was to be installed by contractor MJ Abbott. 

With the club’s members unusually part-funding the installation through individual loans, it was important the project won their support and backing.

The results

The accuracy and efficiency of Lynx is unlike anything course manager Mark Heveran has ever experienced. By being able to water down to the millimetre or minute and in just a few clicks being able to create a watering programme has paid dividends.

It now takes just over an hour to water the whole course instead of four or five and despite having three times the amount of sprinkler heads than it used to, it uses a third less water thanks to the control the Lynx system provides. And with the ability to monitor evapotranspiration levels, there’s minimum water wastage as it knows exactly how much water to replenish with.  

The club was impressed with the backup from Toro – the NSN support service in particular – for the 24/7 availability to provide backup if required.

The conclusion

At the time of installation the Toro Lynx Central Control system was an easy recommendation to make to members as it was unlike anything the club had ever used before and we’re pleased to report the members are “thrilled” with the system.

As the first club in the UK to fully upgrade to Toro Lynx, it was a successful start for the state-of-the-art system which has gone on to become the choice for clubs wanting a responsible and sustainable irrigation solution.