Frilford Heath Golf Club, located in the heart of Oxfordshire boasts 54 holes across three exceptional courses – the Red, Blue and Green. In recent years, the club has embarked on a major three-phase irrigation upgrade to secure the long-term quality and playability of its courses. The first phase, completed in 2022, saw the Blue Course benefit from a modernised Toro Lynx irrigation system. In 2024, the second phase of the project was undertaken – the installation of the Red Course. This phase of works paves the way for the final phase on the Green Course, ensuring all three courses will be supported by a robust and integrated Toro Lynx system.

Following the successful completion of the Blue Course in 2022, Ocmis were once again entrusted with the works for the Red Course. The strong working relationship established with the club during Phase One, combined with the quality and efficiency of the completed works, positioned Ocmis as the natural choice to continue the project. Prior to commencement, Ocmis engaged in detailed discussions with the club to review the scope of works and confirm all parties were happy with the proposed installation which was scheduled to take place in the winter of 2024.

The installation provided new irrigation to the greens, approaches, surrounds, tees and fairways, incorporating just under 30km of irrigation pipework. The new pipework was connected to the existing pipework infrastructure already installed in Phase One, extending and integrating into a more extensive and complex pipe network across the site. To future-proof the system, additional cable zones were installed alongside sections of the new pipework to facilitate the upcoming Phase Three installation on the Green Course, ensuring seamless connection and control through the Toro Lynx system.

Ocmis’s installation team who were already familiar with the site layout and operational requirements, carefully reconfigured the Toro Lynx control system to incorporate the additional Red Course into the existing hydraulic flow tree. Adjustments were also made to the parameters of the existing 230m³/hr pumping station, originally installed in Phase One, to optimise performance for the expanded network.

During the installation, particular care was taken when installing a section of 180mm HPPE pipework in the vicinity of the clubhouse. Using the moleploughing method, Ocmis ensured minimum disturbance to the turf, which like across the site left no noticeable trace once the pipework was installed, preserving the immaculate presentation expected at Frilford Heath Golf Club.

Throughout the project, Ocmis worked closely with Irritech Limited, the designers of the irrigation system for the entire 54-hole site. This ensured that each phase especially this one was fully aligned with the overall hydraulic design, maintaining performance consistency and preparing the system for its final integration once Phase Three takes place. The use of the Toro Lynx technology throughout the first two phases ensures precise, efficient and reliable irrigation management, tailored to the needs of the club’s championship-standard courses.

The installation of the new irrigation system on the Red Course was completed successfully, receiving positive feedback from both the club’s management and members alike. The project stands as a testament to Ocmis’s expertise in delivering complex, phased irrigation solutions while maintaining the highest standards of workmanship and attention to detail.

The installation of the new system at Frilford Heath Golf Club marks another proud achievement for Ocmis as well. Working in partnership with the club, the company is delivering infrastructure that will serve the courses for decades to come, leaving a lasting contribution to one of the UK’s finest golfing venues.