When Hurricane Ian slammed into Gasparilla Island, it didn’t just test the resilience of the local community — it threatened a beloved Pete Dye–designed golf course. As storms churned, the club pivoted: instead of deferring repairs, they seized the moment to modernize.
Under Superintendent Elliot Garrison, Gasparilla partnered with architect Tripp Davis and a crack irrigation team to rebuild from the ground up. The result? A full “reservoir to rotor” Rain Bird system engineered for saltwater tolerance, better coverage, simplified controls, and dramatic water savings. The upgraded system now uses 30% less water, bolsters reliability in difficult island conditions, and gives ground staff more control through intuitive software.
It’s a powerful reminder: in golf course recovery, smart upgrades can turn disaster into opportunity.
Read the full renovation story here:
Gasparilla Golf Club – The Drop (Rain Bird 360)
