Coronado to Transform Golf Course with Water-Saving Initiatives

Categories: CommunityEvents/What's HappeningNatureNews

A view of the newly designed Coronado Golf Course featuring native plants and reduced turf areas.

News Summary

On March 4, 2025, the Coronado City Council discussed significant upgrades to the Coronado Golf Course, focusing on turf reduction and a new irrigation system. The initiative aims to enhance water conservation by reducing consumption by up to 40% and replacing turf with native drought-resistant landscaping. The city has earmarked $1.75 million for the project, seeking to maintain the course’s aesthetic appeal while addressing inefficiencies in water use. Community workshops are planned to engage public feedback on the proposed changes.

Coronado Gears Up for Green Transformation at Golf Course

Greetings from the sunny city of Coronado! On March 4, 2025, the Coronado City Council convened to explore an exciting initiative aimed at transforming the iconic Coronado Golf Course. As the council delved into discussions about turf reduction options, they acknowledged the pressing need for an upgrade to the golf course’s aging irrigation system, which has stood the test of time for a staggering 30 years.

Old Irrigation System, Big Challenges

The current irrigation system, recognized as the oldest mainline of any golf course in San Diego, has been struggling to keep up. Staff members devote a whopping 35 hours each week to hand-water areas that fall outside the reach of the outdated system. This level of manual labor is not only time-consuming but also inefficient. The city has allocated $1.75 million for the watering of the golf course this year, which indicates just how significant the water issue has become.

Moving Towards Efficiency

The proposed new irrigation design aims to tackle these inefficiencies and is estimated to slash water usage by an impressive 20%. Additionally, by further reducing turf in non-playable areas, the city could achieve another 20% reduction in water usage. This dual approach to turf reduction is seen as a vital component of a broader strategy focused on water conservation and maintenance efficiency.

Learning from the Best

Inspiration for these changes has been drawn from renowned golf courses like Pinehurst No. 2 and Seminole Golf Club, which have successfully executed similar turf reduction initiatives. The expected budget savings from an upgraded irrigation system could reach approximately $300,000 annually. Coupled with collaborations with golf course architect Grant Haserot, certain areas on the perimeter of the course have been marked for potential turf reduction.

Plans for a Greener Course

As the city moves forward with the redesign plans, they are considering replacing specific turf areas with native drought-resistant landscaping. This could involve hard-packed sand and the introduction of native plants, blending functionality with aesthetic appeal. Currently, the total turf acreage at the golf course stands at 117 acres, and the goal is to maintain a visually pleasing design while pursuing efficiency.

Support from the Council

During the council meeting, members enthusiastically endorsed the idea of exploring turf reduction options, with particular encouragement for designs featuring 20% or more turf reduction. Council Member Mark Fleming suggested a detailed cost-benefit analysis of the various turf reduction options be conducted before the final designs are approved.

A Focus on Community and Environment

The initiative not only prioritizes water conservation but also seeks to enhance the visual allure of the course, ensuring it remains inviting and playable for both seasoned golfers and newcomers alike. In addition, the council is also looking into utilizing marine-water and recycled water as alternative options in the irrigation redesign.

Get Involved!

To foster community engagement, a public workshop is slated to gather feedback and insight related to the golf course irrigation and turf reduction project. As plans progress, the council has confirmed that further environmental and Coastal Commission reviews will take place before the designs are finalized.

In conclusion, this exciting initiative to revamp the Coronado Golf Course is set to save water while offering a stunning landscape. It’s a win-win for both the environment and the golfing community!