Enhancing Fairway Resilience at Burnham & Berrow with H2Pro TriSmart

Burnham & Berrow Golf Club, like many links courses, felt the full impact of the severe drought in 2022, with fairways struggling to recover despite an extensive irrigation setup.

The prolonged dry conditions put even the club’s well-established water management practices to the test, creating challenges in maintaining uniform turf coverage—an important focus as the venue prepared to host Final Open Qualifying for The 152nd Open Championship at Royal Troon in 2024.

For Course Manager Rich Whyman, the challenge was clear: find a long-term solution to improve turf resilience, stabilise moisture levels, and restore the fairways in time for this high-profile event.

A strategic approach to water management

As part of a comprehensive agronomic strategy, Burnham & Berrow worked closely with the R&A’s agronomy team to review its water management approach. A key recommendation was H2Pro TriSmart, a surfactant designed to enhance soil moisture retention, improve water infiltration, and support turf recovery.

With over a decade of proven performance, TriSmart has long been trusted by turf managers for its ability to optimise soil moisture retention and improve drought tolerance. Having already seen positive results with the product in other areas of the course, Rich knew it could help stabilise fairway moisture levels.

“We’d seen how TriSmart helped improve moisture control in other areas of the course, so we had confidence it could play a key role in strengthening the fairways.” – Rich Whyman.

Applied at 10L per hectare throughout the 2023 and 2024 seasons, TriSmart became an integral part of the club’s recovery and resilience programme, working alongside reseeding, targeted nutrition, and irrigation refinements to rebuild turf density and improve drought tolerance.

Proven results on the course

Since incorporating TriSmart into the fairway management programme, Burnham & Berrow has seen clear and measurable improvements:

• Stronger, More Uniform Turf – Fairway coverage has noticeably improved, with healthier, denser grass swards.
• Better Moisture Retention – Treated areas have held moisture for longer, particularly during prolonged dry periods.
• Greater Consistency Across Playing Surfaces – Volumetric Moisture Content (VMC) testing has shown more stable moisture levels, reducing dry patches and improving overall turf quality.

“We’ve seen a real difference in how the fairways respond to dry spells. Areas that struggled in the past have held up far better, and the consistency across the course is much improved.” – Rich Whyman

The results have been vital in ensuring Burnham & Berrow meets Final Open Qualifying standards, providing firm, consistent playing surfaces for elite golfers.

Addressing the challenges

Like many links courses, Burnham & Berrow has always battled moisture inconsistencies, particularly in prolonged dry spells. Some areas dried out too quickly, while others retained excess moisture, creating challenges in maintaining uniform playability.

By incorporating TriSmart into their water management strategy, Rich and his team have been able to balance moisture levels more effectively, ensuring fairways remain healthy, consistent, and playable, regardless of the weather conditions.

“The fairways are firmer and more resilient, which is exactly what we need for Open Qualifying. TriSmart has become an important tool in our agronomic approach.”

A long-term solution

For Rich, TriSmart isn’t just a quick fix—it’s now a key part of Burnham & Berrow’s ongoing agronomic programme. The 10L per hectare rate has provided effective coverage without excessive product use, making it both practical and cost-efficient.

With over a decade of research backing its efficacy, TriSmart’s ability to improve water infiltration and retention has proven invaluable on a course that faces both extended dry spells and heavy rainfall.

“H2Pro TriSmart has played a vital role in improving the resilience of our fairways. Over the past two years, we’ve seen a noticeable increase in turf density and consistency, even during prolonged dry spells. It’s become an essential part of our water management strategy, helping us maintain the high standards required for hosting a Final Open Qualifying event.” – Rich Whyman.

Burnham & Berrow’s commitment to course excellence has not gone unnoticed, with the club nominated for the BIGGA Awards 2024 Championship Performance of the Year—a testament to Rich and his team’s dedication to innovation and best practice in golf course management.

For greenkeepers facing similar drought-related challenges, the success at Burnham & Berrow is clear evidence of what TriSmart can achieve.