An Underground Movement in California and Florida
UgMO’s starting an underground movement. Some 60 golf courses and sports turf facilities across the country have signed on for UgMO’s smart sensors, working to save water and other resources by summer’s end.
This week, superintendents in California and Florida weigh in on the UgMO advantage.
Great Agronomist Support in the Golden State
At Marbella Country Club in San Juan Capistrano, California, Golf Course Superintendent Matt Marsh looks forward to dramatic water savings, thanks to UgMO sensors.
Just within the past month and a half, he installed 18 wireless sensors across three different greens, fairways and rough. Now, he depends on real-time data on moisture levels to dictate irrigation practices, rather than relying on aesthetic thresholds.
While still in the trial phase, Matt’s already hooked on the UgMO technology. “I can jump on my iPhone from anywhere in the country and check on my greens. It’s great,” he said.
Matt hopes to save five to 10 percent of Marbella’s water budget annually. At that rate, the UgMO sensors could pay for themselves within the first year or two.
But for Matt, the biggest sell is UgMO’s expert agronomist support — something other sensor companies aren’t offering, Matt says.
Sensor Fever in Southwest Florida
At Cypress Woods Golf Club in North Naples, Florida, superintendent Francisco Navas may not be sleeping in any later, but he’s definitely sleeping easier since installing UgMO sensors two weeks ago.
Pre-UgMO, facing a prolonged period of drought and statewide water restrictions, Navas and his team had taken irrigation into their own hands. Working through a 12″ to 18″ rain deficit mid-year, they woke up each morning to a rigorous, three-hour greens inspection, checking soil moisture and watering the dry spots by hand. Afternoons brought more of the same. Factoring in time and labor costs, the old ‘rinse and repeat’ just wasn’t working for Cypress Woods.
Now, with UgMO’s smart sensors in action on three greens, Navas happily lets the software do the dirty work, wirelessly reporting soil moisture, temperature and salinity levels every 20 minutes to his computer or cell phone.
The UgMO agronomist team projects a 30 percent reduction in Cypress Woods’ water usage after the first three months. And Navas is already seeing savings in labor costs and electricity. But just as important, he can rest assured knowing he’s helping to save earth’s precious resources.
“Turf health and playability go hand in hand,” said Navas. “At Cypress Woods, we’re very conscious of our watering practices and the amount of fertilizer we’re using. We strive to be good environmental stewards, and deliver the best playing conditions we can. UgMO’s wireless technology is making that easier than ever before,” he said.
For more on the UgMO installation at Cypress Woods, check out this week’s story in the Naples Daily News: North Naples golf course the first to use water — and money — saving device
