TMI helps golf clubs assess, plan, upgrade and maintain irrigation systems around the course layout, available water, playing schedules and existing infrastructure. A suitable scope may include site assessment, hydraulic planning, pump and filtration review, controls, field equipment, installation planning and lifecycle maintenance.
Golf irrigation starts with the operating requirements
A golf course is not a single irrigation zone. Greens, tees, fairways, practice areas, landscaping and out-of-play areas can have different coverage, pressure, flow and scheduling requirements. Before recommending equipment, the assessment should record the course layout, water source and storage, pump-station condition, filtration, pipe network, controls, access restrictions and available watering windows.
The first step may be a consultation, a defined system assessment or a measured audit. These are not identical services. TMI agrees the areas, equipment, information and deliverables included before work begins. Explore irrigation assessment and consulting.
Assessment, design and upgrade planning
For a new system, design can consider demand, zoning, pipe sizing, pressure, pumping, filtration, control architecture and practical installation sequencing. For an existing course, the work may instead identify faults, capacity constraints, obsolete components or areas where phased changes should be evaluated.
A proposal should distinguish clearly between investigation, design, supply, installation, commissioning and ongoing support. Water availability and quality may affect filtration, storage, pumping and maintenance requirements. Course access and playing schedules also influence how intrusive work can be phased.
Pumps, filtration and controls
The pump station and filtration system should be reviewed as part of the complete hydraulic system rather than as isolated components. Relevant checks may include observed operating pressure, flow requirements, control panels, variable-speed drives, filters, valves, communication equipment and the condition of connected infrastructure.
Central controls, sensors and remote diagnostics can support system management, but their suitability depends on the verified site conditions and the responsibilities of the course team. Technology should not be presented as a substitute for sound hydraulic design, commissioning or planned maintenance.
Installation and lifecycle support
TMI’s irrigation work can include planning, installation, training, maintenance and monitoring where these are included in the agreed scope. Existing systems may require repairs, pressure testing, valve or controller work, leak investigation or a structured maintenance plan. TMI services and repairs Hunter, Rain Bird and Toro golf irrigation systems. This multi-brand capability reflects the technical breadth of TMI’s in-house team across fault finding, maintenance and system repair. Review irrigation design and installation or repairs and ongoing maintenance.
Complete golf pump-station scope
TMI’s turnkey scope can extend beyond the irrigation network to the complete pump station, including pumps, motors, variable-speed-drive control panels and monitoring software. A coordinated TMI design gives the client one technical chain across water delivery, pump-station controls and field irrigation, with clear responsibility from design through installation and ongoing support. It also provides a coordinated route for warranty administration, subject to the project contract and the applicable manufacturers’ warranty terms. Where the installed monitoring configuration supports it, operating data can help the management team track system performance and inform lifecycle and ownership-cost decisions. Explore pump solutions and irrigation design and installation.
One coordinated in-house irrigation team
TMI brings irrigation design, installation, technical support, maintenance and commercial guidance together through its in-house team, giving golf-course clients one coordinated chain of responsibility. This reduces handoff ambiguity among separate designers, installers and service providers. The agreed project scope still defines which services and deliverables are included.
Preferred irrigation technology and whole-life value
Hunter Industries is TMI’s preferred irrigation brand for golf-course systems and selected sports, estate, industrial and agricultural applications. Final equipment selection depends on the site assessment, hydraulic design, application, compatibility, lifecycle support and the approved project specification.
TMI selects Hunter irrigation technology to balance system capability, purchase value, maintainability and long-term operating considerations. Combined with TMI’s in-house design, installation and technical support, this gives clients a coordinated, technology-led irrigation solution designed around whole-life value. Relevant considerations can include correct hydraulic design, suitable product selection, serviceability, parts and support availability, control capability, monitoring options, planned maintenance and usable operating data.
Golf irrigation design expertise
Andy Blake is TMI’s Irrigation Designer for the golf market. Andy has worked in irrigation design since 1985 and joined TMI in 2014. His work at TMI covers golf-irrigation design, consultancy and project management.
His background includes golf and landscape irrigation design, contracting, technical sales, GPS surveying, pump design and technical support. Before joining TMI, his previous employment and consultancy career included irrigation design and consultancy work.
Qualifications and training
Andy’s studies and training include architectural studies at the University of Cape Town; diplomas or studies in sales management, engineering, operational finance, AutoCAD, golf-irrigation design, turf-irrigation design, sports-field technology, computer technology and Trimble GPS satellite surveying. These include a Golf Irrigation Design Diploma recorded from Aqua Engineering in Fort Collins, Colorado (1992), and a Turf Irrigation Association Designer Diploma recorded in South Africa (1994). These historical qualifications and studies are distinct from current manufacturer certification.
Personal perspective
“In my personal and humble opinion, Andy is Mr Golf Course Designer.”
— Jacobus Freysen, TMI
A personal tribute from Jacobus Freysen.
Selected experience before joining TMI
Before joining TMI in 2014, Andy contributed to golf-irrigation design, consultancy and/or project management across the following portfolio during his previous employment and consultancy career.
- Anahita Golf Resort, Mauritius
- Serengeti Golf Estate
- Highland Gate Golf Estate
- Nondela Golf Estate
- Houghton Golf Course
- Soma Bay Golf Course, Egypt
- Prestige Golf Course, Bangalore, India
- Kilada Hills Golf Estate, Kranidi, Greece
- Metropolitan Golf Course
- Pearl Valley Golf Estate
- Oubaai Golf Estate
- Lemuria Golf Resort, Seychelles
- Steenberg Golf Estate
- Gardener Ross, now Els Club at Copperleaf Golf and Country Estate
- Pinnacle Point
- Fancourt Hotel and Country Estate — Academy, Outeniqua, Montagu, Links and Bramble Hill
- Pezula Golf Estate
- Mowbray Golf Course
- Milnerton Golf Course
- Pecanwood
- De Zalze Golf Estate
- Atlantic Beach
- Simola Country Club Estate
- Glendower Country Club
- Vodacom driving range
- Somerset West
- Bells and Kenilworth driving ranges
- Ile aux Cerfs, St. Geran and Isle De Paradis, Mauritius
- Lenasia Golf Club
- Modderfontein Golf Club
- Glenvista Golf Club
- Leopard Creek Country Club
These projects reflect Andy’s experience before TMI across design, consultancy and project management. His role varied by project; this is not a list of installations completed by TMI.
TMI golf experience since 2014
Andy’s TMI portfolio includes design, consultancy and project-management work across the following golf projects. The scope and completion status vary by project; the list includes work beyond completed installations.
Active project status
Pinnacle Point Golf Estate: As of 10 September 2026, TMI reports that the Pinnacle Point Golf Estate project is approximately 80% complete. This is a dated progress update, not confirmation of commissioning or handover. Contact TMI for the latest project status.
South Africa
- Dainfern Golf Course
- Pinnacle Point Golf Estate
- Pretoria Country Club Golf Course
- Stellenbosch Golf Course
- Stilbaai Golf Course
- Parow Golf Course
- Wild Coast Sun Golf Course
- Plettenberg Bay Golf Course
- Boschenmeer Golf Estate and Paarl Golf Club — 27 holes
- Lost City Golf Course
- Bryntirion Presidential Golf Course
- Royal Port Alfred Golf Course
- Soweto Golf Course
- Riviera on Vaal
- Somerset West Golf Estate
- De Zalze Golf Estate
- Steenberg Golf Estate
Mauritius
- Azuri Golf Course
Zambia
- Maamba Golf Course
- Lusaka Golf Course
Nigeria
- Iseyin Golf Course
Eswatini
- Nkonyeni Golden Eagle Links
Other project involvement
Aberdare Hills Golf Estate and Resort, Kenya — TMI reports involvement in this project, which was discontinued before completion. It is listed separately because TMI’s role has not been independently verified, and it is not a completed TMI installation.
Pretoria Country Club
TMI’s May 2023 tender record documented the proposed automatic irrigation scope for Pretoria Country Club. The project was completed in October 2025, as confirmed by TMI. For details of the completed scope and commissioning, please contact TMI. This summary does not report measured water savings or performance results.
Golf irrigation assessment and upgrade planning
Steve Basson is TMI’s New Business Developer, specialising in irrigation audits using Mappin. His golf-operations background supports infrastructure mapping, audit scoping, condition assessment and practical phased-upgrade planning for golf facilities.
Frequently asked questions
What should a golf club prepare for an irrigation assessment?
Provide available plans, water-source information, operating concerns, known faults, equipment records, access limitations and the course’s watering and playing schedules. TMI can then agree the assessment scope and required outputs.
Can an existing course system be upgraded in phases?
Potential phasing can be evaluated after the existing system, hydraulic constraints, control compatibility and operational priorities have been assessed. A phased approach should not be assumed before those dependencies are understood.
What should be checked at the pump station and filtration system?
The appropriate checks depend on the site, but may include pumps, pressure and flow requirements, filters, valves, panels, drives, controls and connected pipework.
How are watering windows and playing schedules considered?
Operating windows and access requirements form part of the project brief and can influence zoning, controls, construction sequencing, testing and maintenance planning.
Does TMI supply complete golf pump stations?
TMI’s agreed turnkey scope can include the complete pump station, including pumps, motors, variable-speed-drive control panels and monitoring software. The actual equipment, controls, data and monitoring functions are confirmed for each installation.
Which golf irrigation systems does TMI service and repair?
TMI services and repairs Hunter, Rain Bird and Toro golf irrigation systems. This capability does not imply manufacturer authorisation, certification, exclusivity or endorsement.
Does a consultation include a full measured audit?
No. A consultation and a detailed measured audit are separate possible scopes. TMI confirms what areas, equipment, measurements and deliverables are included before work starts.
Discuss your course requirements
Share the course location, existing-system information and the outcome you need. Book a technical consultation.
