Managing water on golf courses is a constant challenge, especially in areas with unpredictable weather or problematic soil conditions. The Golf de Rougemont-le-Château in France exemplifies these difficulties. Despite previous drainage interventions, issues such as waterlogging and poor turf quality persisted. In 2022, the golf course implemented Exlterra’s Groundwater Energy Passive System (GEPS) to address these challenges. This case study examines the installation, performance, and transformative outcomes of GEPS on the course’s fairways and greens.
Identifying the problem: Persistent water management issues
Fairway 5 at Rougemont-le-Château presented significant drainage problems. Despite traditional drainage installed in 2017, the area often became waterlogged during rainy seasons, making it nearly unplayable. In June 2021, turf equipment sank into the saturated soil, highlighting the system’s inability to handle excess water. These recurring issues prompted course management to explore innovative solutions.
The team also faced challenges on other parts of the course, including fairway 12 and green 1. Fairway 12’s clay-loam soil compounded drainage issues during heavy rain, while green 1’s unique construction, including a liner under the substrate, made water management particularly difficult. These conditions required a system capable of addressing diverse water management needs.
The GEPS installation: Minimal disruption, maximum impact
In May 2022, Exlterra installed GEPS on fairway 5, covering 30,000 square feet with 212 strategically placed units at various depths. The installation used Exlterra’s ultra-light drill rig, ensuring minimal surface disruption. The process was completed in six days, leaving the area undisturbed and ready for play soon after.
Encouraged by initial results, additional installations followed in 2023 on fairway 12 and green 1. Fairway 12’s installation featured 700 units over 50,000 square feet, while green 1 incorporated 103 units across 4,800 square feet. These installations were tailored to the specific challenges of each area, from uneven terrain to soil composition.
Results: A game-changer for golf course maintenance
1. Improved drainage and playability
Fairway 5 demonstrated rapid improvements after GEPS installation. During a heavy rainfall in autumn 2022, 30mm of rain fell in just 25 minutes. Thanks to GEPS, the fairway absorbed the water efficiently, becoming playable within an hour. Similarly, green 1 exhibited superior infiltration rates during a July 2023 storm, draining 22mm of rain in under two hours without manual intervention.
2. Drought resistance
The summer of 2022 brought severe drought conditions to the region, with water restrictions limiting irrigation to greens and tees. Despite these challenges, fairway 5 maintained lush, green turf with consistent soil moisture levels between 35% and 45%. This performance underscored GEPS’s ability to retain and regulate water effectively, even in extreme conditions.
3. Reduced water and fertilizer usage
Fairway 12 achieved a 50% reduction in water use and a 40% decrease in fertilizer inputs. The system’s ability to regulate soil moisture not only reduced resource consumption but also promoted healthier turf with deeper, denser root systems.
4. Long-term sustainability
The GEPS system provided significant cost savings by reducing maintenance needs and resource consumption. Over time, these benefits are expected to outweigh the initial installation costs, making GEPS a sustainable choice for golf courses.
Lessons learned and future applications
The success at Rougemont-le-Château highlights the importance of tailored solutions in water management. Each installation was customized based on the site’s unique conditions, ensuring optimal performance. Collaboration with Exlterra during the planning phase was critical in identifying the best locations and configurations for GEPS units.
Moving forward, Rougemont plans to expand GEPS installations across additional areas of the course. The system’s proven ability to handle both excess water and drought conditions positions it as a valuable asset for long-term course management.
Client reflections: A greenskeeper’s perspective
Thomas Olivier, the greenskeeper at Rougemont-le-Château, shared his thoughts on the transformative impact of GEPS:
“GEPS has proven to be the future of our golf courses. It perfectly performs its primary function of drainage while significantly reducing irrigation needs and fertilizer inputs, all while improving turf quality. The results speak for themselves.”
Reflecting on the installation and its outcomes, Olivier added:
“Despite the severe drought in 2022 and limited irrigation, fairway 5 maintained a lush, green appearance with consistent soil moisture levels, proving GEPS’s remarkable ability to regulate water naturally. With GEPS, we’re not just solving drainage issues. We’re transforming the way we maintain and sustain the golf course.”
The results from Rougemont have convinced Olivier and his team that GEPS is a valuable long-term investment, not only for solving immediate issues but also for reducing resource consumption and enhancing the course’s sustainability.
Exlterra GEPS is a paradigm shift in golf course management
The implementation of Exlterra GEPS at Rougemont-le-Château Golf Course has redefined water management, setting a new standard for sustainability and efficiency. GEPS has addressed persistent drainage and irrigation challenges, and improved playability, reduced resource consumption, and enhanced turf quality. Golf courses worldwide can look to this case study as evidence of GEPS’s transformative potential, showing the way for a more sustainable future in sports and leisure infrastructure.
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