Innovation Meets Tradition in La Quinta

In the heart of Coachella Valley, PGA West in La Quinta, California, is known for its top-tier golf courses and commitment to sustainable turf management. We recently spoke with Justin Beck, Head Superintendent of PGA West’s three private courses, about how new water conservation solutions are performing on the ground.

The “By-Hole” Test Area

Our discussion took place in a unique spot between the Nicholas Private and Weisskopf Private courses an area known as the “by-hole.” It’s used for settling matches and as a practice space. This summer, it also became a testing site for Desert Control’s water conservation solution.

Putting the Solution to the Test

Beck explained how they applied the solution on the back tee while keeping regular practices on the front tee. The front tee has been irrigated at 80% of evapotranspiration (ET), while the treated back tee used 15–30% less water.
“The results have been good,” Beck said. “We played around with different amounts of water, and we’ve noticed encouraging differences.”

Addressing Irrigation Challenges

Inefficient irrigation systems are a common challenge in desert golf courses. Beck pointed out that the test area has poor distribution uniformity, making it a good spot to test the product’s potential.
“We’re going to try and see how it works out for us,” Beck said. “But I have high hopes for it.”

Overseeding and Moisture Retention

The benefits carried into the fall overseeding season. According to Beck, treated areas germinated faster than untreated ones.
“Our seeding rates were the same for both areas,” he explained. “But where we treated, we definitely had easier establishment because we were able to retain more moisture.”

Scaling Up: What’s Next?

Beck is optimistic about the solution’s potential on a larger scale.
“From what we’ve seen, we would definitely be able to use less water over time. A 20% savings might not seem like a lot in every area, but it’s going to matter everywhere eventually,” he said.
He also noted other advantages, like saving electricity and extending the life of equipment. Less water use means less strain on pumps. Faster germination and quicker course recovery also boost playability and overall efficiency.

In the Desert, Speed Is Key

Beck stressed how crucial it is to reopen quickly after maintenance, especially in the desert.
“The faster we get turned around and reopened, the happier our members are,” he said. “We try to do it in an extremely short window here, so anything we can do that helps is a good thing.”

A Partnership with Purpose

Desert Control is proud to collaborate with PGA West and Justin Beck to advance sustainable turf practices. This partnership shows how innovation can play a vital role in water conservation—especially where it matters most.

“Absolutely,” Beck concluded. “Thank you very much.”

Stay tuned as we continue exploring sustainable solutions that protect the planet without compromising performance.