Quang Nam Province, Vietnam: For the fifth time in a row, Hoiana Shores Golf Club has been voted the best golf course in Vietnam.

Nestled in the Quang Nam Province, the Hoiana Shores course spans more than 7,000 yards and overlooks a stunning, untouched coastline, showcasing the might of the Eastern Sea and Cham Islands.

With its Robert Trent Jones II-sculpted 18-hole course designed for golfers of all levels, the beauty of the site is matched by its intelligent irrigation system, a testament to the club’s commitment to excellence.

Nguyen Long, Course Superintendent at Hoiana Shores, is quick to emphasise the superiority of the Rain Bird IC System over traditional satellite systems, highlighting the simplicity and cost-effectiveness of installation.

He said: “The IC System is a far simpler installation; it doesn’t require any power line, nor hot or cold wires compared to the satellite systems’ complications.”

Satellite systems necessitate more wiring, leading to higher costs and problematic joint connections. The complexity of locating the correct wire amid a tangle of underground cables can cause delays during repairs, risking turf health due to extensive labour and hand-watering.

In contrast, the IC System’s minimal wiring and straightforward installation not only enhance the aesthetic appeal by eliminating unsightly satellite boxes, but also ensures efficient water distribution and conservation.

Long pointed out that the IC System allows for precise water adjustments for each rotor, ensuring optimal water use.

He said: “Water is the most essential nutrient for living things, and using water intelligently is one of the best ways to conserve it.”

The system’s efficiency extends to diagnostics, allowing issues to be identified and resolved quickly. Through CirrusPRO Central Control software, daily diagnostics can be set up at 5 am, pinpointing rotor problems and their exact locations on the course map. “You find a problem and fix it in just 30 minutes,” added Long.

The summer months at Hoiana Shores bring extreme heat and high winds, making the adaptability of the IC System crucial.

Long highlighted the system’s versatility, which allows adjustments to irrigation schedules based on changing wind directions, heat, and dryness. The ability to control the irrigation system anytime and anywhere via CirrusPRO on a tablet or phone significantly enhances operations.

“We have a big touch screen attached to the wall in the irrigation room. It’s a great tool for training and system control,” said Long.

This user-friendly interface enables the irrigation crew, regardless of their experience in golf or English proficiency, to manage the system efficiently, demonstrating the accessibility and effectiveness of Rain Bird’s technology.

Long also shared insights from recent tests comparing their old 950 series rotors with the new 952 series.

Conducted on their first green (1,100 square metres), the tests showed that the 952 series provided 6.61 mm/hr more on average in application rate, enabling more precise adjustments to watering cycles.

The finer water curtains from the 952 series improved water distribution uniformity from 81% to 87%.

While the IC System is central to their irrigation strategy, the positive impact of Rain Bird’s CirrusPRO Central Control software cannot be overlooked. Long praised its intuitive interface, which is accessible on multiple devices and supports multiple languages, allowing crew members to operate the software in Vietnamese.

Hoiana Shores’ dedication to sustainability and water conservation aligns perfectly with Rain Bird’s commitment to The Intelligent Use of Water.

The advanced technology of the IC System paired with CirrusPRO Central Control software is a big contributor for the course in reaching its goal of being designated as a GEO Certified Facility.

*Rain Bird is an Executive Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.