Toro Irrigation Lynx and Infinity for St Andrews castle course

The equipment

Toro Lynx control system

Infinity sprinklers

B series sprinklers

The background

Forming the first irrigation deal since the Home of Golf reached a long-term agreement with The Toro Company to ensure Toro equipment and irrigation will maintain the seven courses for many years to come, St Andrews Castle Course went ahead with an irrigation system upgrade.

The club’s Toro Site Pro system had served them well for many years, although a severe lightning storm has over time caused decoder failures. It was time to extend and enlarge the pipework for an increase in flow, so the timing was right on all fronts.

The brief

The club prioritised finding a system that had comprehensive mapping and testing capabilities to narrow down the problems quickly and accessible by computer screen.

Working around the fact that the ground on the Castle Course is different to the other six courses in that it’s more soil with a little bit of sand rather than sand-based, the club was also looking for a system of sprinklers that were easy to dig up for maintenance and repairs.

The results

The implementation of Toro Lynx and Infinity sprinklers at St Andrews Castle Course yielded tangible benefits in irrigation management and water conservation.

Infinity sprinklers not only simplified maintenance tasks but also facilitated water savings through strategic placement and efficient distribution. Out of the 300-400 pairs of sprinklers the club split 100 for more effective water consumption, preventing over-watering the same area or areas that don’t need watering.

The upgrade to Toro Lynx software streamlined operational efficiency and troubleshooting processes and was noted by course manager Jon Wood for how much it reduced the reliance on manual paperwork.

The conclusion

Not only was it felt that Toro was the best choice to maintain the playing conditions required now, but it gave the best fit for the club’s vision for the future.

The decision to transition from the existing Toro Site Pro system to Lynx GAC software and from Flex to Infinity sprinklers marked a significant step forward in leveraging the latest irrigation technology and brought the most up-to-date technology available on the market to the majestic clifftop course.

The club went on to embrace interchangeable B-series sprinklers on tees to further future-proof its irrigation system, ensuring adaptability to evolving needs and technological advancements.