Golf Business News – Seaton Carew improves turf quality with Hunter Irrigation System
Seaton Carew Golf Club in Durham has recently been converted and upgraded by installing the state-of-the-art hunter irrigation system provided by Kar UK.
Course Manager Tom Coulson, who led Seaton Carew in 2020, spent more than 20 years on green feeding, was driven by passion that began with junior golfers trying to improve his local courses. Tom recognizes Seaton Carew’s potential and knows that the course can be advanced to a higher standard. However, one of the biggest obstacles to this vision is the outdated irrigation system.
“One thing about holding Seaton Carew is the existing irrigation system, which is not suitable for purpose,” Tom explained. “There is a 100% correlation between bad turf instances and little irrigation coverage. For Seaton Carew to advance, it requires a fully functional modern irrigation system, especially now considering how busy a busy golf course has been.”
After a careful evaluation process and under the guidance of Kar UK & Hunter, Seaton Carew selected the Hunter GT-885 sprinkler unit for its fairway, green and environment. This is installed on brand new main ducts and cables. The club has implemented internal installations of the I-20 and GT885 on the T-shirt box and has planned 5-10 years of plans to reconfigure, level and irrigate them.
In addition, the grass path was enhanced with the Hunter MP rotary sprinkler, gradually leaving the club out of the former Astroturf lined with the path.
Before any of this is implemented, a new pump set is installed in 2022. Specifically for the size of the new system, the pump set is integrated with the existing setup and sets the stage for irrigation upgrades.
To ensure a smooth and efficient installation, Seaton Carew partnered with Arden Lea Inrigation, which has an impressive record of previous installations.
“The reason Arden Lea was chosen is because their previous client list was ideal for reference, but it was their ability to communicate honestly and stage stages while keeping the course full of member functions, which made them very suitable.”
The new hunter system has made significant improvements.
“The key benefit is the ability to irrigate and control turf conditions throughout the process, not just in certain areas,” Tom explained. “Water is now used more accurately, reducing waste and ensuring better turf health. The turf responds very well – faster recording, and the system is now used to prevent damage and help restore separation.”
The upgraded pipeline also results in higher flow, reduces runtime, and allows irrigation under optimal conditions such as short nighttime, low winds – a key factor in linking courses.
Furthermore, in reality, the Hunter GT sprinkler device has proven superior to other systems in reality, by providing a higher bulk water jet that effectively hits its target with a light wind bring.
KAR UK has played a key role in the success of the project from the outset, providing expert advice, technical support and high-quality hunter products from the outset.
“Our experience with KAR UK is very positive,” Tom said. “Wesley Henshaw from KAR UK has provided support from the very beginning, demonstrating the quality of the hunter product even before any formal agreement was reached. Software training, database creation and hardware management are all delivered seamlessly, which makes the whole process very free to flow.”
“I would definitely recommend KAR UK to other golf clubs, hoping to improve their courses by upgrading the irrigation facilities. The quality of the products and the support throughout the process make them an excellent choice.”
With the new Hunter irrigation system fully functioning and a phased plan for continuous improvement has been developed, Seaton Carew Golf Club is well-positioned to maintain its status as one of the best linked courses on the East Coast.
