Minerals in liquid form

Famed PGA WEST in La Quinta, California, is taking a step toward water conservation testing technology based on Desert Control’s liquid natural mineral.

PGA WEST is home to five resort courses and four private courses. Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman, Tom Weiskopf and Pete Dye have all left their architectural touch on the courses. None of those famed architects likely ever imagined the creative solutions being devised to reduce inputs at PGA WEST.

Liquid natural mineral is a liquid inorganic static binder solution applied through the irrigation system. The solution binds soil particles by improving water holding capacity in sandy soil, holding water in the roots for extended stretches. Improving water-holding time decreases water usage, which in turn lowers irrigation needs for the area. With one application, the product, certified by the USDA as organic due to sustainable agriculture practices and organic growth, lasts several years.

Kevin Neal, business development lead for Desert Control, contacted PGA WEST superintendent Nicholas Hoisington in May 2024, and the pair agreed to a trial run with the product on a tee box. Hoisington and his crew have been slowly decreasing the amount of water applied to the area.

Since applying the solution, water usage for the area has decreased by 25 percent. The change won’t be noticeable to golfers’ eyes. “From a golfer’s standpoint, there will not be a difference in playing quality,” Hoisington says. “The product’s goal and benefit is to reduce water use while maintaining a high-level playable surface.”

In California, which endures frequent droughts, water conservation in any capacity is important. “Water conservation is a huge topic, and there’s been water shortages and water rationing has occurred,” Neal says. “Working with all the various agencies and people, bringing them together, it was obvious that the golf course industry is the one that everyone can look at and keep on the front page. So, creating water conservation in golf is super important.”

Liquid natural mineral is just one stride PGA WEST has made in its water-saving efforts. To review water usage, Hoisington and his team have completed irrigation audits, reviewed water feeds and system ages, and are planning for irrigation system and pump house improvements in the future. Proper irrigation systems require less electricity, pump water more efficiently and maintain pressure to enhance distribution uniformity.

“(We’re) really looking down at the nuts and bolts of things and improving what we have and then utilizing new technology,” Hoisington says, “whether it’s wetting agents or looking at Desert Control products to help on the chemical side of things.”

Distribution uniformity is a measurement that determines whether plants are receiving the same amount of water in an area. PGA WEST is currently exploring expanding the liquid natural mineral applications to a larger scale, using it on areas with poor distribution uniformity. Numerous reasons cause poor distribution uniformity, including pressure or infrastructure-based issues.

Decreasing water usage on a golf course remains a necessity.

“Twenty-five to 30 percent water savings is pretty significant for an industry that relies on irrigation for its livelihood,” Neal says.