Forsgarden Golfklubb is a 27-hole golf complex situated at Kungsbacka, 40 kilometres south of Gothenburg in Sweden. Course Manager Mattias Jockert has been a loyal customer of local Ransomes Jacobsen dealer, Svenningsens Maskin AB for over 20 years and is an enthusiastic advocate of the equipment produced by the UK manufacturer.
His current course maintenance equipment from the Jacobsen brand includes an R-311 turbocharged batwing rotary mower, two LF550 fairway mowers and two GP400 triplex mowers for mowing tees. Five Cushman Hauler utility vehicles, a Turfco 1540 top dresser and a Smithco greens roller completed a recent list of purchases from Svenningsens.
“I’ve been a customer of Svenningsens for many years, during my time at Kungsbacka Golfklubb and since I took the course manager’s job here at Forsgarden in 2006,” he said. “I have always received excellent service from them and we have a trusted relationship. They are professional, responsive and respectful and that’s why the relationship has stood the test of time.
“I’m really impressed with the Jacobsen R-311; it’s comfortable, especially for tall operators and the fuel economy is very good. I also like the swing-out control arm on the Jacobsen products, which allows you a clear view of the cutting units and the new TrueSet reels on the LF550s are another step forward.”
Last year Forsgarden was re-certified by the Golf Environment Organisation (GEO) for a further three years, an accolade of which Mattias is particularly proud.
“I’ve always managed my courses environmentally, so it was a natural process to follow the GEO OnCourse programme, which resulted in our initial GEO certification in 2009. It was really a matter of completing the paperwork online followed by a visit from an approved assessor. My philosophy has always been to use as little chemicals and fertilisers as possible, so that was a good basis to work from.
“Since our first certification we have moved to a green electricity supplier, introduced stronger and more drought tolerant grass types, improved communication within the community and introduced a waste management programme.
“Our association with Ransomes Jacobsen, through Svenningsens, is also a factor because like us, they are ISO14001 accredited. This is an international environmental management initiative so we are dealing with like-minded suppliers.”
Forsgarden Golfklubb opened in 1989 and is a 27-hole open parkland golf course currently boasting 1700 members, of which 180 are juniors. It was the venue for the Scandinavian Masters in 1993 and 1996, where Lee Westwood had his international breakthrough winning the 1996 Scandinavian Masters. The club attracted 300 new members in 2012 and a further 100 joined during 2013. It averages 35,000 rounds a year.
Ransomes Jacobsen www.ransomesjacobsen.com.
Forsgarden Golfklubb http://forsgarden.se/