Coventry Hearsall Golf Club in Earlsdon has become the first Toro ‘Total Solutions’ customer in the Midlands after signing both a five-year machinery deal and investing in a new Toro irrigation system.
Jonathan Oldknow, course manager of the 18-hole members-only course, has used Toro machinery at the club for 25 years and been consistently impressed with the results, and is opting for Toro irrigation for the first time.
Says Jonathan: “The time has come to invest in a new computerised irrigation system for the greens, tees and approaches. We’ve used Toro machinery for many years and although we always look at competitor models, time after time we’re confident Toro is the best for us.
“Similarly in the decision-making process for an irrigation system we considered a wide range of options, and not only did we prefer Toro but it made great sense to choose a product from the brand we know and trust.
“We’ll be working with a consultant to decide which system will best suit the course aiming for installation to start at the end of the year. This is a big investment and we want to get it exactly right.”
Under the new contract, Coventry Hearsall has taken delivery of a fleet of greens and grounds mowers, including two Toro TriFlex 3420s, a Reelmaster 5510, Reelmaster 3550-D, Groundsmaster 4500, Groundsmaster 3500, Groundsmaster 360, MultiPro 5800 sprayer, a ProPass 200, three Workman utility vehicles and a TYM T503 compact tractor from distributors Lely UK, at the club’s established parkland course.
“The new machinery fleet has arrived and we’re very pleased, as usual,” says Jonathan. “We paid particular attention to our aeration and top dressing programme this year. We aerate to varying depths using several tine options and then top dress with the Toro ProPass 200 using a medium coarse sand. We have a much smoother and firmer surface as a result. We’ll do this three times this year in spring, summer and autumn, which will use over 150 tonnes of sand!
“I don’t have a favourite bit of kit as such; I simply find that, whatever the task, Toro performs. That said, we’re all particularly enjoying the TriFlex Hybrid 3420, which is new to the club and making a real difference to the final finish. We have a 2mm cutting regime during the main playing season and we need quality kit to finish to that standard, which Toro does.”
Toro turf products are distributed throughout mainland UK by Lely (UK) Limited, 1 Station Road, St Neots PE19 1QH. Call 01480 226800, email turfcare.uk@lely.com r visit www.lelyturfcare.com for further details; and in Ireland by Lely Ireland Limited, Kilboggin, Nurney, Co. Kildare. Call 00 353 (0)45 526170, email turfcaresales.ie@lely.com or visit www.lelyturfcare.ie for further details.