KAR UK & Hunley Golf Course: A Winning Irrigation Partnership: Greg Fitzmaurice, dual-role Course Manager and General Manager at Hunley Golf Club in North Yorkshire, has dedicated 28 years to the greenkeeping industry.
Since joining Hunley 12 years ago, Greg has overseen significant changes at the course, including a major irrigation system upgrade that has dramatically improved efficiency, turf health, and overall course management.
KAR UK & Hunley Golf Course: A Winning Irrigation Partnership
Hunley Golf Club, built during the early 90s golf boom, has seen its fair share of challenges. Initially developed by an ambitious local landowner, the club later faced financial difficulties, leading to a change in ownership. The current owners have focused on revitalising the club, and under Greg’s leadership, the course has gained a strong reputation and an increasingly loyal membership base. With a stunning coastal location and 27 holes, Hunley has transformed into a hidden gem on the UK golfing map.
When Greg first arrived at Hunley, it was evident that the existing irrigation system was outdated and struggling to keep up with the club’s needs. The old uPVC pipework, some of which had already been second-hand when originally installed, had long surpassed its 25-year lifespan. The system was failing, with frequent leaks causing disruptions and significant water waste. “By 2021, it felt like every few days we were fixing another leak,” Greg recalls.
Recognising that a full-scale upgrade was necessary, Greg and his team explored options from several leading irrigation providers. Hunter Irrigation products, distributed by KAR UK, emerged as the best choice. “Hunter offered the best value, but more importantly, we felt their products were the best on the market,” Greg explains. “It was a no-brainer for us, and we had full confidence in KAR UK.”
To keep costs manageable, Greg and his team made the bold decision to install the system in-house – a move that reduced the project’s cost to roughly a third of what it would have been with external contractors. Over three years, during quieter winter months, the five-person greenkeeping team gradually replaced the main pipework, installed new sprinklers, and upgraded the system’s control capabilities.
“We started with the worst areas, tackling the greens and approaches where leaks were most common,” Greg says. The team installed Hunter TTS-800 series rotors combined with G-85 internal risers, which provided enhanced reliability and precision. A temporary control hub was set up, with plans to fully integrate the Hunter Pilot system once the project is complete.
The impact of the new irrigation system has been significant. “It’s like having an extra member of staff,” Greg says. The time previously spent repairing leaks and manually operating sprinklers has been redirected to course maintenance and improvement. Turf health has improved dramatically, playability has increased, and water efficiency has significantly enhanced.
The system has also allowed Greg and his team to make real-time adjustments with ease. “Being able to run the sprinklers at night without worrying about coming into a flooded green the next day is a huge benefit, both practically and psychologically. It’s less work, it’s easier, and it means I can focus on other tasks without needing someone to follow me around to water in wetting agents. Once the Pilot system is up and running, and I can control everything from my phone, well, that’ll be Dreamland.”
KAR UK provided essential support throughout the project, from initial product selection to installation guidance. “The service has been excellent,” Greg notes. “Wesley Henshaw (KAR UK Golf Sales Manager) has been with us every step of the way, ensuring we had the right products and advice to complete the job ourselves. He’s got that technical and practical knowledge, which is better than the competitors, and that has been a huge benefit.”
While the full system is still a couple of years from completion, Hunley Golf Club is already reaping the benefits of its investment. For Greg, a good irrigation system isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. “An irrigation system is an insurance for the golf course,” he explains. “You can go long periods without needing it, but when you do, if you don’t have it, you’re in real trouble.”
The impact of upgrading the system has been huge for Hunley Golf Club, not just in terms of efficiency and resource savings, but also in the quality of the course itself. “If we didn’t go through with this new irrigation system, it would have really held us back,” he says. “Now, we’re seeing the benefits everywhere—from saving resources to improving the final product. And personally, the stress of dealing with an unreliable system is something you can’t underestimate. Having that peace of mind is massive.”
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