Golf course water management system in Bellarine Peninsula

A modern golf course water management system is key to maintaining consistent turf quality, meeting sustainability goals, and ensuring long-term operational efficiency. At Barwon Irrigation Solutions, we recently delivered a major control system upgrade at a golf course in the Bellarine Peninsula, bringing an outdated system into the modern era with advanced technology and precision control.

This project focused on retrofitting a new Rain Bird Cirrus Pro central control system into an existing irrigation infrastructure. Alongside this, we replaced ageing field controllers with Rain Bird PAR+ES satellites, providing the course with a smart, connected platform to manage irrigation more accurately and efficiently.

Smart upgrade with Rain Bird Cirrus Pro and PAR+ES satellites

The existing control system had become unreliable and offered limited visibility across the irrigation network. This made water management time-consuming and inefficient, particularly during peak demand periods. We implemented the Rain Bird Cirrus Pro system, which provides a cloud-based central control solution with real-time access from any connected device.

The Cirrus Pro platform allows greenkeeping staff to:

• Control individual irrigation zones with precision
• Monitor flow, pressure, and system alerts in real-time
• Adjust scheduling based on weather data and turf conditions
• Access and manage the system remotely via mobile, tablet or desktop

Replacing the old field satellites with Rain Bird PAR+ES satellites was a critical part of the upgrade. These advanced controllers integrate seamlessly with Cirrus Pro and enable full two-way communication, making system diagnostics, updates, and manual overrides far easier to manage.

One of the standout aspects of this project was the ability to retrofit new control technology into an older system, preserving existing pipework and infrastructure. This approach delivered a cost-effective upgrade while significantly improving performance, data visibility, and ease of operation.

By retaining the core irrigation layout and updating the control backbone, Barwon Irrigation Solutions ensured minimal disruption to course operations while future-proofing the system for future expansion or integration of new technologies.

Efficient golf course water management system in Bellarine Peninsula

Modern golf courses require intelligent water management systems that can adapt to changing conditions, manage usage, and maintain optimal turf health year-round. With the new Rain Bird control system in place, the Bellarine Peninsula course now benefits from:

• Improved water-use efficiency
• Simplified day-to-day management for staff
• Reduced risk of overwatering or under-irrigation
• Enhanced reliability across all zones

These upgrades not only improve the quality of the playing surface but also support the club’s long-term environmental and operational goals.

With over 20 years of industry experience, Barwon Irrigation Solutions is a trusted partner for golf courses across the Bellarine Peninsula, Geelong, and the Surf Coast. We specialise in the design, installation, and modernisation of irrigation systems, with a strong focus on smart technology, water efficiency, and long-term reliability.

Whether you’re building a new course or looking to modernise an existing system, we provide tailored irrigation solutions backed by expert advice, high-quality products, and ongoing support.

Ready to upgrade your golf course water management system in Bellarine Peninsula? Contact Barwon Irrigation Solutions today to explore a smarter, more efficient approach to irrigation.