Carnoustie, Scotland: Carnoustie Golf Links has joined forces with Rain Bird and John Deere in a landmark partnership which will see a major investment in irrigation, greenkeeping and the development of the game at the iconic Scottish venue.

Following a topographical system analysis and other investigations conducted by specialist consultants, Carnoustie Golf Links, supported by Rain Bird United Kingdom’s golf distributor Rigby Taylor, will embark on a full renovation of each of its courses to upgrade them with the most advanced irrigation technologies.

They will benefit from Rain Bird’s Cirrus Central Control System combined with Integrated Control (IC), which enables sophisticated real-time, two-way communications between the control system and other components. This will provide Links Superintendent Craig Boath and his team with the ultimate in field control. 

Assisted by Rain Bird Golf’s UK team, they will fine-tune the new system to continually monitor conditions across the links and apply the precise amount of irrigation each area needs. The Central Control generates a significant amount of data to help inform course management decisions, enabling staff to optimise turfgrass performance and drive efficiencies. 

John Deere was the first manufacturer to introduce hybrid electric cutting reel technology and now offers the widest range of hybrid greens and fairway mowers in the industry, including the brand new 2750E ride-on triplex, of which there are 12 in the new Carnoustie Golf Links fleet, supplied by local dealer Double A. These machines reduce both noise and fuel consumption as well as the risk of hydraulic oil leaks. 

In addition, A Series mowers feature the password-protected TechControl system, which allows the course or fleet manager to set equipment up for consistent cutting, turning and transport speeds to achieve the desired course finish regardless of who operates the machines. 

John Deere is also a world leader in GPS automatic guidance technology and vehicle telematics, developed over the past 20 years for its agricultural business.

This advanced technology is now becoming available for golf and turf customers, through the new GPS PrecisionSprayer – Carnoustie has three of the first machines to be sold in Europe, which apply inputs more accurately and record spraying operations for environmental purposes – and the development of autonomous mowing equipment. 

Rain Bird and John Deere are both Executive Members of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.