CARNOUSTIE GOLF LINKS

Course Opens: 1842

Irrigation System Renovated: 2001

Number of Times Course Hosted "The Open": 6

Rotors Installed: G870, G875, G70, G75, G95, I-20

Valves Installed: PGV

In the Land Where Golf was Born, An Historic Course’s Landscape is Reborn with Hunter

Ah, Scotland. It’s regarded as the land where the game of golf originated, so anything having to do with the sport around these parts is no doubt teeming with history. But that doesn’t mean everything historic took place centuries ago.

On the east coast of Scotland, in the sand dunes along the scenic shores of the North Sea, lies the picturesque Carnoustie Golf Links. Here, at one of Golfdom’s most revered sites, an important event took place as recently as the 21st Century: the installation of a new irrigation system featuring Hunter Golf products.

So That’s Why they Call it the Rough

In the U.K., "links" courses are hailed far and wide as "golf in its purest form." Unlike modern American courses, links courses tend to appear more natural, with high grasses around the edges and deep bunkers dominating…and, more often than not, a lack of trees accompanying. And, while the U.S. courses display an emerald hue on the fairways, in the rough and on the greens, British courses tend to be a bit more golden in color, except for the area surrounding the cup (hence the name, the green?).

Across the Firth of Tay from Carnoustie sits St. Andrews – "the birthplace of golf" – where the sport was created in the early 1400s. Thus, Carnoustie, which hosted golfing for hundreds of years yet only "officially" opened as a public course in 1842, is a mere lad in comparison. But because these and other Scottish links courses pre-date the science of irrigation, they have all earned fame the world over as sites where ones can experience golf the way it was originally played.

At Carnoustie, there was a desire to support Nature and make keep the course in great playing shape year round.

In the true spirit of competition – after all, this course has played host to a half dozen British Open Championships – there would be sort of a "playoff" between competitors in order to see which brand of irrigation products would "make the cut" and be installed as part of a new system. On Carnoustie’s new large putting green, products from all the major golf manufacturers were put in and given a chance to go head-to-head for a season of field testing to see which performed the best.

In the end, Hunter’s products outshone the rest.

The Ol’ Links Get Some New Sprinks

In 2001, a complete overhaul of Carnoustie’s irrigation began. The general system covered a 54-hole site, including all new components for the 18-hole Championship course and mainline pipe replacement to the adjoining Burnside and Buddon courses. A new variable speed pumping plant was added to feed all three courses.

As primary rotary sprinkler choice, Hunter’s new 800 Series was chosen. "We selected the rotors because of their unique top-serviceability, including a replaceable rock screen and valve seat," said Carnoustie Links Superintendent John Philip, who has been awarded an MBE (Member of the British Empire) by Queen Elizabeth for his contributions to the sport of golf. "We also were impressed by the flange compartment in which the decoders have been placed. This eliminates those unsightly extra valve boxes often seen on golf courses." In all, 616 adjustable arc G875E rotors and 76 full-circle G870E were installed.

Both of these electric valve-in-head rotor models provide exceptional versatility with a wide range of flow and radius capabilities. And, thanks to Hunter’s patented PressurePort™ technology, these rotors deliver the ultimate in distribution uniformity.

Additionally, 381 other Hunter golf rotors were installed: 365 block-type adjustable arc G75B, 10 block-type full-circle G70B, and 6 electric valve-in-head adjustable arc G95E.

The block-type rotors are controlled by Hunter PGV valves and I-20 rotors are used on surrounding landscaping areas.

The turfed bunker faces are irrigated by Hunter SRS spray heads installed horizontally.

The system was designed by Giles Wardle of Wardle Consulting Engineers in Staffordshire. All Hunter products were supplied by Logic Irrigation, a division of Evenproducts from Worcestershire England.

That’s No Way to Close Out an Open

Six times over the history of the British Open – or, simply, "The Open" as the British refer to it – the rotation of courses has brought the event to Carnoustie. In 1931, Tommy Armour, a Scotsman who made his home in America won the first Open played here. Six years later, Henry Cotton took the title. In 1953, the legendary Ben Hogan claimed his only British Championship. In 1968, South African Gary Player ruled and in ’75, Tom Watson snatched his first of five Opens.

But 1999 provided perhaps the most memorable of the stops at Carnoustie. One reason was a Scot, Paul Lawrie, won the title. But the more famous – or, should it be said, infamous – reason was how he won the Open. That was due to the greatest single-hole collapse in Open play: at the 18th on the final day by Jean Van de Velde.

For 71 of the 72 holes, Van de Velde's play was exemplary as he thrilled the crowds with his attacking style of golf and charmed them with his easy wit and relaxed personality. It all went wrong, however, on the final hole. Needing but a six to win, the Frenchman erred his way to a seven. As thousands at the course and millions watching on television looked on in horrified fascination, Van de Velde's dream turned into a nightmare. Though he holed a short putt to get into a playoff, it seemed inevitable someone else would ultimately triumph…and Lawrie did.

In one way, Van de Velde has left an indelible mark on Carnoustie. Hunter’s superior golf course irrigation products are leaving their mark in an entirely different manner. But, the common bond, one might agree, is that both their performances could be considered "above par."