Club Maitland City's three grass bowling greens are enough to have the most die hard gardeners green with envy during such harsh, hot and dry weather.
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Their healthy condition is testament to savvy green keeper, Jon Dimopoulos, and the club's water saving incentives during the drought.
The club uses most of its water between November and March.
Club CEO Ian Martin said water and general utility useage concerns have been part of the club's business plan for many years so it was prepared when Level 2 water restrictions were announced last week. "Our head green keeper is excellent and maintains high levels of water retention additives in the soil, and is very conscious of only doing what's necessary," Mr Martin said.
Mr Dimopoulos said there are a number of products he uses on the greens so they retain water. "One is a gel formula we use when we put holes in the greens at renovation time and then we also use a lot of organic matter to retain moisture. It's all about achieving root depth so we can tap into moisture deep in the ground."
Greens are usually watered once every three days. "In extreme conditions like we had when it was 45 degrees we try to water in the morning even if water was given the day before," Mr Dimopoulos said.
Mr Martin said the club is feeling the water restriction pinch. "The restrictions are affecting us, however our green keepers are doing what they can to minimise useage," he said. "We want rain and if severe water restrictions come in, we will have to assess our position.
"I'm, not aware of the practices at other clubs, but it is common for most clubs to use water saving devices, in particular in the men's toilets," Mr Martin said.
The club has always maintained overall energy/utility efficiency with a number of recycling, power and water saving incentives in place inlcuding: zero water urinals, occasion flush troughs, combined heat and power (TriGeneration on site) which provides 30% of the club's electrical needs, 60 per cent of its heating and 25 per cent of its cooling. The club also has solar panels, low voltage LED lighting, magnetic levitation primary chillers and variable speed drives. It recycles food waste and cardboard, has a worm farm and maintains chickens for supplementary fertiliser.
