Vale do Lobo, the largest luxury resort development in Portugal featuring two 18-hole championship golf courses, has taken delivery of three all-electric Jacobsen Eclipse 322 ride-on greens mowers, from local dealer Tijardim Equipamentos de Jardim Lda.
Both courses feature umbrella pine and fig tree-lined fairways that sweep down to the Atlantic; the Royal playing dramatically along the cliff’s edge, while the Ocean sweeps gently down to the beach. This combination of links and parkland golf provides enjoyable and alternative options for golfers of all standards.
Eng. Luis Matos is the Resort and Technical Director and has been associated with Vale do Lobo for over 41 years. Explaining the ethos of the resort he said,
“We are situated in an amazing area, in 400 hectares bordering the Atlantic Ocean, of which 75 hectares are dedicated to the golf course. The courses are based on original concepts by the legendary Sir Henry Cotton and were re-developed by the respected American golf architect Rocky Roquemore.
“We are an ideal destination for golfers, second home owners and holiday makers, thanks to an exceptional climate, dramatic coastline, golden beaches, acclaimed restaurants, the golf courses and an impressive property portfolio. We are delighted to have hosted to the Portuguese Open on two occasions.
“The importance of the natural environment in Vale do Lobo has been a priority at the resort from the outset, with continuous innovation, infrastructure and services remaining essential in preserving the unique natural environment of the area. The overall aim of the resort is to balance the needs and desires of the residents and visitors, while also maintaining a philosophy of sustainable development.
“To ensure the successful environmental management of the Vale do Lobo golf courses, we are always looking to find new and innovative solutions to course maintenance and in keeping with this philosophy, we have recently acquired new equipment from the renowned Ransomes Jacobsen brand, to allow the latest technology to be used to create harmony between the courses and the environment.”
Ignacio Coelho is the Golf Courses Superintendent at Vale do Lobo and has worked at the resort for the past 24 years and leads a team of 32 greenkeeping staff. With over 110,000 rounds of golf every year, the courses demand an impressive and dedicated team to keep them in pristine condition.
Speaking during the delivery of the three Jacobsen Eclipse 322s he said, “We had a demonstration of the mowers just over a year ago and I was very impressed with the thinking behind their design. The battery packs which store the electricity have an automatic watering system, which makes them easy to maintain and the quality of cut on the greens is impressive. Obviously they are virtually silent when in operation and create no emissions when being used around the resort.
“The other obvious benefit is that there is absolutely no chance of an hydraulic oil spill on the greens, because they are totally powered by electricity and have no hydraulic system. I made a serious business case for purchasing the equipment, presented it to our Finance Director, Luisa Salazar and to Luis Matos, and my recommendations were approved. Ransomes Jacobsen sent one of their service engineers from the UK to install the machines, which was excellent as he could fully explain to my assistant, Luis Rebelo and our mechanic, some of the more detailed functions of the mowers.
“We will also soon be taking delivery of three all-electric bunker rakes from the Smithco brand. These, together with the new Jacobsen machines, combine efficiency with minimal noise pollution to allow for a greater quality of life for the residents, while equally respecting the environment.
“Everyone at Vale do Lobo is proud to be once again working towards a cleaner and more environmentally friendly future.”
Ransomes Jacobsen www.ransomesjacobsen.com
Vale do Lobo http://valedolobo.com/en/golf/