California Golf Course Considers Turf Reduction for Water Conservation
The Coronado (Calif.) Municipal Golf Course is set to undergo a much-needed upgrade to its outdated irrigation system, and the city is using this opportunity to explore the possibility of reducing turf coverage in certain areas of the course to further conserve water.
Replacing the old irrigation system is expected to result in a 20 percent reduction in water usage, and removing grass from non-playable areas could bring another 20 percent savings.
Tim Farmer, Coronado’s Director of Recreation and Golf Services, outlined the benefits of turf reduction during a March 4 meeting with the Coronado City Council. The primary objective is water conservation, but the city will also consider the visual appeal of the course, maintaining playability, and enhancing maintenance efficiency.
Water-saving strategies, like turf reduction, have been successfully implemented at renowned golf courses such as Pine Valley Golf Club, Cypress Golf Club, and Monterey Peninsula Country Club. Club + Resort Business reported on a total of 12 acres of turf being removed at TPC Summerlin in Las Vegas, Nev. and replaced with natural desert vegetation. In January 2023, C+RB reported on industry leaders gathering to discuss turf reduction—among other things—to address California’s ongoing drought.
The golf course has allocated $1.57 million for water costs this year, and upgrading the irrigation system is expected to save around $300,000, with additional savings if turf reduction is pursued.
Currently, the course relies entirely on potable water for irrigation. However, the city is exploring the possibility of switching to recycled water, a consideration that will be included in the new system’s design.
The course’s irrigation infrastructure is in dire need of replacement. The mainlines and pump stations are 68 years old, far exceeding their expected lifespan of 30-40 years and 15-20 years, respectively. Other components, such as valves, pipes, and sprinklers, are also outdated, with some parts more than 40 years old. As a result, the system is inefficient, and staff currently spends 35 hours a week hand-watering areas that aren’t covered by the existing system.
In preparing for the upgrade, the city has hired golf course architect Grant Haserot to explore options for reducing the course’s overall turf area. Haserot has suggested reducing grass coverage around the perimeter of the course, potentially removing turf from 23 of the course’s 117 acres. This is just one proposed option and not a finalized plan.
The city originally incorporated sand into the course’s design, but over time, more grass was added. Turf reduction would return the course to its original look.
The city council was generally supportive of the idea of reducing turf coverage and voted unanimously to have city staff develop further options for review, aiming for a water savings of at least 20 percent or more. Council Member Kelly Purvis inquired about whether turf reduction would delay the irrigation project, to which Farmer responded that he did not anticipate significant delays. Council Member Mark Fleming requested a cost-benefit analysis of the various options when presented.
