Smarter Irrigation. Better Information.
For a golf course, keeping turf healthy depends on having the right amount of water, at the right time. But when an irrigation issue occurs, being able to identify it quickly and understand what is happening can be just as important. At Patterson River Golf Club, an irrigation system that had been in place for more than 15 years was becoming increasingly difficult to monitor and diagnose. The club has now upgraded to the Toro Lynx® Smart Satellite System, giving Superintendent David and his team improved diagnostics, wireless communication and greater visibility across the course.
When the System Gets Older, Problems Get Harder to Find
Located in Bonbeach, around 30 kilometers from Melbourne, Patterson River Golf Club is an 18-hole course where consistent turf quality and course presentation are a priority. David Johnson, Superintendent at Patterson River Golf Club, oversees the maintenance team and understands the importance of having an irrigation system that can be relied on every day. The previous system had served the club well, but as the technology aged, one of the main challenges was knowing when something was wrong. Electrical faults could take parts of the irrigation system offline, while finding the cause of an issue was not always straightforward. For a large course, the longer it takes to identify a problem, the more difficult it can be to manage. The team needed better information and a faster way to diagnose issues.
Diagnostics That Give You More Information
One of the key benefits David sees in the new Lynx® Smart Satellite is its diagnostic capability. The system uses current sensing to monitor the electrical current drawn by the solenoids that operate the sprinklers. If the current draw changes unexpectedly, the system can help identify and isolate a potential electrical problem. This gives the maintenance team more information about what is happening at the satellite level, helping them investigate issues more quickly and with less guesswork. Rather than simply finding out that an irrigation station isn’t working, the team has additional information to help understand why.
Flexible Communication for Different Course Needs
Patterson River’s irrigation system uses a cable network for communication. However, the Lynx Smart platform also offers enhanced digital radio communication as an option. Both the Lynx Smart Satellite and Lynx Smart Hub can be configured with digital radio communication, providing flexibility where a wireless connection is more suitable for the course layout or installation requirements. The digital radio system is designed to provide improved communication signal integrity, while also supporting additional diagnostic information and control options. This gives golf courses greater flexibility when planning a new irrigation system or upgrading an existing one — allowing the communication method to suit the needs of the site.
More Information From the Course
The Lynx® Smart Satellite can also integrate with Toro’s optional Sensor Input Kit, allowing the team to monitor conditions such as:
- Water pressure
- Water flow
- Temperature
- Rainfall
Sensor information can be viewed through Lynx®, with alarms and responses set according to the conditions being monitored.
This adds another layer of information to the irrigation system, helping the team make decisions based not only on a programmed schedule, but also on what is actually happening across the course.
Designed for Performance and Reliability
While diagnostics and communication were key priorities for Patterson River, the new Lynx® Smart Satellite also brings a range of design improvements. A faster microprocessor and increased memory provide greater processing capacity, while fewer cables and connectors, corrosion-resistant materials and simplified power distribution are designed to improve reliability. The updated user interface also makes manual and diagnostic operations easier, with a larger backlit display and familiar controls. The system is also compatible with existing Toro Network VP and Network 8000 systems, providing flexibility for courses looking to add to or replace existing irrigation infrastructure.
A Better View of the Course
For Patterson River Golf Club, the upgrade is ultimately about giving the maintenance team better tools to do their job. The new Lynx® Smart Satellite provides more information, stronger communication and improved diagnostic capabilities, helping the team understand what is happening across the irrigation system and respond when attention is needed. For David, that means less guesswork and greater confidence in the system supporting the course every day. With smarter diagnostics and stronger communication, Patterson River Golf Club can spend less time trying to find irrigation problems, and more time managing the course.
