Smart water management keeps De Goese Golf green this summer |
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Anyone walking the fairways of De Goese Golf this summer is treated to a picturesque green landscape. But behind that summery scene lies an increasing challenge: sustainably irrigating the 18-hole course located in an area with brackish water.
Although 11 of the 18 holes feature water hazards, the water from the Oosterschelde National Park — the largest national park in the Netherlands — is unsuitable for irrigation. It is brackish and contains salt, which damages soil structure and hinders healthy root development. "Salt water dries out the soil and leaves no room for healthy root systems," say the greenkeepers of De Goese Golf.
Alternative water from the Biesbosch
That's why, during dry periods, the golf course uses water from Evides Waterbedrijf. This is sustainably pre-treated water from the Biesbosch, specifically intended for agricultural and landscape applications. While it's a forward-looking solution, it also comes with a significant price tag. De Goese Golf is therefore calling on entrepreneurs and specialists in desalination or freshwater extraction to help think about alternatives.
Manual and targeted irrigation
The key to maintaining the green quality lies especially with the dedicated greenkeeping team. They deliberately avoid large-scale irrigation and instead apply tailored solutions: hand-watering only where it's truly needed. "It's a form of Zeeland frugality that expresses itself as craftsmanship," says general manager Geert Frommé.
Green with a story
De Goese Golf proves that sustainable course management and playing quality can go hand in hand, even in a region with challenging climatic and hydrological conditions. Every shade of green on the course tells the story of smart choices, hard work, and passion for the profession. Or, as the team puts it: "Fifty shades of green — applied by hand."
This article was previously published on 26 June 2025 on the Greenkeeper website.
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