Aberdour Golf Club, located in Fife on the northern shore of the Firth of Forth, Scotland, has seen a considerable improvement in the productivity of golf course maintenance procedures since investing in a range of machinery from Jacobsen. The equipment was delivered by local dealer, Fairways GM, and is now in its second cutting season.
Mark Laing has been the head greenkeeper at the club since 1995 after starting his career as an apprentice in 1986. With 30 years’ experience on the scenic coastal course, Mark recently purchased a number of machines from Jacobsen, all with a reputation for delivering productivity. The chosen machines were two GP400 mowers for greens and tees, with both 7 and 11 blade units, providing flexibility. Also chosen was an AR-3 for semi-rough, an AR722 for the rough, a Fairway 305, and an Iseki 5470 tractor with loader. Already in use on the course prior to the purchase of the Jacobsen package was a Spider II for the steep banks on holes 2, 4 and 8.
Commenting on the choice of machinery Mark said, “We were very selective with the machinery we chose. We only have a team of four to maintain a 5,447-yard golf course, so it is imperative that we work in an efficient and productive manner. An example of how we have become more efficient in our maintenance procedures is with the purchase of the Ransomes Spider 2 remote controlled slope mower. It is able to cut the banks on the second hole in just an hour and a half; a job that previously took four hours. It’s such a simple machine to use, and I would be lost without it now!
“Another fantastic addition to our shed is the AR722. We have been able to cut down the amount of time it takes to cut the rough from days to hours; it used to take three days, which has been reduced to just 10½ hours. The productivity of the machine is astounding and the finish it leaves is as good as I have seen. I have also been really impressed with the way the decks follow the contours across the rough and the mow-width flexibility is great for manoeuvring around obstacles on the course.
Aberdour Golf Club www.aberdourgolfclub.co.uk
Jacobsen www.jacobsen.com