Paris, France: Effective water management is key to creating championship-quality playing conditions at any golf course. That’s why Le Golf National has installed a completely new drainage and irrigation system using Toro products. The state-of-the-art technology is already helping the course save both water and costs.
Located 24 kilometres from Paris, Le Golf National consists of three courses: L’Albatros (Albatross), L’Aigle (Eagle) and L’Oiselet (Birdie), as well as an area dedicated to training. It has hosted the French Open since 1991, and the Albatross Course will be the host venue for next month’s Ryder Cup.
Le Golf National’s new irrigation system features Toro’s Lynx Central Control, INFINITY sprinkler heads, as well as a new pump station provided by local Toro distributor Solvert. The products work together to give course greenkeepers precise control over watering schedules, along with extensive soil and water usage data to make informed decisions.
This system was put to the test during June’s HNA Open de France, when temperatures soared to 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit).
Alejandro Reyes, Manager at Le Golf National, said: “On the Albatross Course alone, we have installed 1,500 sprinklers. What impressed me the most was the INFINITY sprinkler – it’s so innovative with the top accessibility. As for the Toro Lynx system, for me, the best thing about it is the ease of use. The fact that everything is there on the screen and with just one click you can make the adjustments you need.”
Since the irrigation system was installed, Solvert has continued to provide Le Golf National with daily support as needed. This includes co-ordinating pump station maintenance with the help of local technicians, as well as training course staff to optimise the capabilities of the Lynx system. Le Golf National also has a contract with Toro NSN, a service that provides 24/7 irrigation and central control system support.
“Whenever you need Toro, it’s there,” added Reyes. “You know they are good, reliable products. And it’s comforting to know that there’s always someone on the other end of your mobile phone. That’s very important to us, because we are carrying out so much work in so little time. We need responsive partners, and with Toro it works really well.”
The new system positions Le Golf National to address the challenge of water conservation well into the future, especially as the course prepares to host events like the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
“Toro has always been committed to helping customers make smart use of resources, both natural and financial,” said Marco Cappelli, EMEA Senior Marketing Manager at The Toro Company, an Executive Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation. “We are honoured that Le Golf National has chosen to use Toro irrigation technology to help prepare the venue for major international events.”