IRRIGATION | ROYAL SYDNEY GOLF CLUB
CASE STUDY
How Plasson Helped Transform One of
Australia’s Premier Golf Courses
The Trusted Connection Behind Royal Sydney’s Upgrade
The extraordinary transformation of the Royal Sydney Golf Club, a prestigious 18-hole course nestled in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, called for the best in design and infrastructure.
Tasked with modernising the course while keeping parts operational, the project team faced tight timelines, coastal soil conditions, restricted site access, infrastructure demands with a 63mm to 90mm upsize in pipe, and the pressure to quickly return the course to keen members.
For Royal Sydney Golf Club Superintendent, Adam Marchant, and irrigation contractor Gosford Irrigation, this meant installing a cost-effective, low maintenance, long-term irrigation system that would provide enhanced environmental benefits to the club such as a 20% reduction in water usage.
Using a Plasson system, they did this with minimal disruption, with the course back in play in way under par, with a 6 week reduction in installation time.
Results and Impact
To meet the project requirements, a PN16-rated Plasson system was installed using a combination of mechanical, compression and electrofusion fittings. The site’s need for rapid irrigation called for high water flow rates, which required the use of 90mm laterals instead of the typical 63mm. The Plasson system offers these benefits:
Corrosion Free Performance
With no metal parts, nuts or bolts, the system eliminated corrosion, and the need for anti-seize treatments, delivering a truly low-maintenance solution.
Faster Installs Without Compromise
Mechanical fittings on the laterals helped the crew significantly reduce installation time, by up to 6 weeks, allowing the project to stay on schedule while still meeting quality standards.
Cost Savings
The Plasson Plassaddle significantly reduced installation time, allowing crews to work faster and more efficiently. Its durable, fast, and easy-to-install design also reduced labour costs and future maintenance.
Certified Quality
Plasson’s PN16 products, backed by third-party certification to Australian Standards, gave the project team full confidence in Plasson’s compondents, knowing performance wasn’t just claimed, but certified.
Long-Term Peace of Mind
A welded PE100 system exceeding the requirements of the Australian standard provided a 100-year design life and gave the team confidence in long-term reliability, eliminating the risk of underground leaks and future repairs.
Water Usage Reduced by 20%
By allowing Royal Sydney to deliver more precise and economical course irrigation, combined with the new native landscape, water usage will be reduced by 20%, and up to 73 million litres of water will be saved per year.
Challenges
As an iconic course in Australia, completing the upgrade within a tight timeline presented several challenges:
Tight Delivery Schedules
Swift installation was required within a narrow construction window, leaving little room for delays.
Limited Site Access
Restricted working space made equipment coordination difficult while keeping parts of the club open to members.
Coastal Soil Conditions
Saline, sandy soil caused issues like galling and corrosion with traditional metal fittings.
Labour Disruption
The desire to limit issues with anti-seize compounds and lost hardware in trenches, potentially slowing down installers and creating unnecessary reworks.
Infrastructure Demands
Upsizing from 63mm to 90mm pipe was necessary to support larger watering zones, reduce turf closure times, and future-proof the system for expansion.
Pressure to Perform
With member expectations high and full-course redevelopment underway, only reliable, efficient components could meet the required operational and performance standards.
“This wasn’t just any irrigation upgrade—it was part of a complete redevelopment of one of Australia’s most iconic golf courses. Every element had to meet the highest standards, both in terms of performance and reliability. We were working within a very narrow construction window, with limited access and demanding conditions, including coastal soil and high salinity. We needed products we could trust that would hold up under pressure and stand the test of time.“
“That’s why we chose Plasson. Their mechanical saddles and electrofusion fittings gave us the flexibility to work efficiently without compromising quality. The bolt-free Plassaddle connections saved Gosford Irrigation weeks on the ground, and the PN16-rated system
gave us confidence that what we were putting in the ground was going to last. Just as important, their team backed us every step of the way with advice, training, and on-the-ground support that helped us stay on track.“
“We only work with products we believe in, and with Plasson, we had total confidence we were getting a solution that matched the calibre of this course.“
Adam Marchant
Royal Sydney Golf CLUB Superintendent
Solutions
Electrofusion Welded Mainlines
Sizes 90mm through to 450mm PE100 pipe were installed in open trenches. Plasson’s SmartFuse electrofusion fittings, welding machines and installation tools and on-site training helped the installers achieve high-quality welds.
PE Lateral Isolation Ball Valves
Plasson full-bore, quarter-turn PE ball valves reduced head loss and pumping costs for the project. The valves actuated from a simple riser allowed smaller pits and lids, reducing solid surfaces on the course.
Plassaddle Sprinkler Connections
Bolt-free mechanical saddles were quickly installed, connecting laterals to the sprinkler swing arms. With over 1,800 units fitted, the innovative system saved up to 6 weeks on the schedule.
Service
Plasson provided extensive training, international best-practice insights, and reliable supply. Expertise and responsive service helped ensure the project stayed on track and met performance goals.