Italian course renovates with future climate, water needs in mind

The Club at Castiglion del Bosco in Tuscany recently completed an ambitious upgrade that aims to future-proof the golf course, enhancing climate resilience and playing conditions.

The multi-million Euro project, highlighted by the GEO Foundation in its Sustainable Golf Renovation Guidelines, improves the course’s existing closed drainage system capturing surface runoff, increases reservoir capacity and reduces water consumption by 20 percent thanks to a new targeted irrigation system.

Architect Phil Smith, who designed the golf course in 2012 with the late Tom Weiskopf, says Castiglion del Bosco remains the most sustainable golf course he has worked on in the past two decades.

“Castiglion del Bosco sets the benchmark for environmental sustainability,” said Smith, who returned to Tuscany to oversee the renovation. “When Tom and I designed the course, which overlooks a UNESCO protected landscape, we knew it was essential to tread lightly in a precious environment, which is why relatively little earth was moved and why the closed drainage system was an important innovation from the outset.

“Now, with new drought-tolerant turf variations, increased slit and curtain drainage lines and a new precision irrigation system, it will help maximize the efficient use of the closed drainage system and ensure the traditional style and sustainable roots remain an integral part of the course design.”

The large-scale renovation and upgrade project includes:

• More than 80 miles of new drainage capturing surface run-off within closed system
• Expanded reservoir capacity further increasing available water
• New targeted irrigation system of 1,000 sprinklers that reduces water consumption by 20 percent
• New drought-tolerant grasses
• Increased areas of native grasses for biodiversity, reducing total maintained turf area
• New back tees, lengthening the course to tournament-ready 7,500 yards
• Full renovation of 58 bunkers with nearly two miles of new bunker drainage
• Upgraded practice area

Castiglion del Bosco is a 900-year-old estate featuring Italy’s only private golf club, with the course and clubhouse reserved exclusively for members and resident guests of Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco, a luxury resort with 42 suites and 11 farmhouses. The 5,000-acre estate near Montalcino, which overlooks the UNESCO protected Val d’Orcia, also features a winery, which is an historic producer of prestigious Brunello di Montalcino wines.

“We have invested significantly in sustainability innovation and water conservation, enhancing our long-term climate resilience,” general manager David Waters said. “Our members and resort guests expect world class playing conditions all year round: they also expect us to be responsible custodians of the environment. This important course renovation and upgrade achieves both objectives.”