Interviews

Oakmont: An interview with Gil Hanse

With the 2025 US Open arriving at Oakmont, Richard Humphreys spoke with the architect, who renovated the course in 2023, about what to expect

Martin Ebert: Design journey

With a portfolio that includes eight of the ten Open venues, Mackenzie & Ebert occupies an enviable position in the golf design industry. Adam Lawrence spoke with principal Martin Ebert to learn how they got there

Designs for the big screen

Chad Goetz and Agustin Piza discuss their design decisions for the virtual holes that featured in the first season of TGL

Bob Harrison: Wizard of Oz

The Australian designer has had a long career and, like many of his countrymen, has spent much of it away from home. Adam Lawrence listened to his tales from the road

Ben Cowan-Dewar: Shock and awe

Golf development firm Cabot now has properties in six countries. Richard Humphreys speaks with co-founder and CEO Ben Cowan-Dewar about what makes a great site, selection of golf course architects, and more

Team building

Turfgrass has launched its US arm with the appointment of John Lawrence, Adam Moeller and Brad Owen. Richard Humphreys speaks with them, Turfgrass founder John Clarkin and director of agronomy Julian Mooney to find out more

Brian Curley: Life of Brian

The designer has surely clocked up more air miles than anyone else in the business. Adam Lawrence caught up with him in between flights to discuss his career and his new venture with Jim Wagner

Oakmont: An interview with Gil Hanse

With the 2025 US Open arriving at Oakmont, Richard Humphreys spoke with the architect, who renovated the course in 2023, about what to expect

Martin Ebert: Design journey

With a portfolio that includes eight of the ten Open venues, Mackenzie & Ebert occupies an enviable position in the golf design industry. Adam Lawrence spoke with principal Martin Ebert to learn how they got there

Designs for the big screen

Chad Goetz and Agustin Piza discuss their design decisions for the virtual holes that featured in the first season of TGL

Bob Harrison: Wizard of Oz

The Australian designer has had a long career and, like many of his countrymen, has spent much of it away from home. Adam Lawrence listened to his tales from the road

Ben Cowan-Dewar: Shock and awe

Golf development firm Cabot now has properties in six countries. Richard Humphreys speaks with co-founder and CEO Ben Cowan-Dewar about what makes a great site, selection of golf course architects, and more

Team building

Turfgrass has launched its US arm with the appointment of John Lawrence, Adam Moeller and Brad Owen. Richard Humphreys speaks with them, Turfgrass founder John Clarkin and director of agronomy Julian Mooney to find out more

Brian Curley: Life of Brian

The designer has surely clocked up more air miles than anyone else in the business. Adam Lawrence caught up with him in between flights to discuss his career and his new venture with Jim Wagner

Richard Humphreys
/ Categories: News

Golf de La Grande Motte reduces water consumption with new irrigation system

Golf de La Grande Motte, a 42-hole golf complex on the French Mediterranean coast, has reduced water consumption following the installation of a new Toro irrigation system.

Robert Trent Jones designed two 18-hole courses (Pink Flamingos and The Gulls) and the six-hole Seagulls layout at the club in the 1980s. Since then, the club has operated the Toro Site Pro system and LTC satellites, which use hydraulic converters alongside hydraulic rotors.

In 2023, nearly 40 years opening, La Grande Motte decided to update its infrastructure. Toro worked alongside irrigation designer Frédéric Quillien of K Consult and water technicians Arrosage Concept on a project to modernise irrigation, with a new system that enhances water distribution and reduces consumption.

“Despite hurdles like trenching difficulties caused by the courses’ proximity to sea level – resulting in pipes floating in the trenches – and the need for continuous access for players, the installation of 1,500 units of Flex 800 series sprinklers equipped with high-performance nozzles became the cornerstone of this comprehensive renovation,” said Roland Demonty, area sales manager at Toro.

The project included the integration of Toro LAC decoders, empowering the greenkeeping team with precise control over water delivery to specific areas. This allows for tailored irrigation adjustments based on real-time weather data, enabling compliance with water restrictions while optimising water usage. Three ‘Smart Hubs’ manage the 1,500 LAC decoders through the Lynx Central Control system.

“The greenkeeping team was able to optimise irrigation schedules and achieve remarkable water savings,” said Demonty. “Indeed, not only has La Grande Motte upgraded its water quality and significantly reduced water consumption, but it has also set a new benchmark for sustainable golf course irrigation practices.”

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  • La Grande Motte golf
    Golf de La Grande Motte

    Golf de La Grande Motte on the French Mediterranean coast has updated its irrigation

  • La Grande Motte golf
    Toro

    The new Toro system gives the club precise control for reduced water consumption

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Golf de La Grande Motte
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