Phillip Benn, course manager at the Surrey golf venue, recently took delivery of a 15-strong Toro fleet after switching from a competitor machinery make to a five-year Toro exclusivity deal.
The new mowers now tending to the 27-hole parkland course, which is known for its oak trees, include two Greensmaster TriFlex Hybrid 3420s, two Reelmaster 5510-Ds and 3100-Ds, and a Groundsmaster 4300-D, 4500-D and 360. Phillip also counts a Workman MDX-D utility vehicle, a ProCore 648 aerator, a MultiPro 5800 sprayer and a GreensPro 1200 greens iron among his new additions. He’s bought in a TYM T433 tractor – also distributed by Lely – too.
Phillip says that he decided to switch to Toro in search of improved reliability and performance. “When I joined The Oaks five years ago we owned another machinery make outright, but found this was costing us a lot of money in downtime and repairs,” he reveals. “We switched to a lease agreement, but when it came up for renewal late last year we decided to look around. We’re a pay and play course, but we wanted to up the presentation, and it was felt by myself and the staff that Toro was the better way forward for us in terms of the quality of cut, build quality and innovation.”
The TriFlex greensmowers, Groundsmasters and GreensPro greens iron are making a particularly positive impression. “The quality of cut from the TriFlex is very good,” Phillip continues. “You can see that the greens are running truer and the golfer gets a better putting experience as a result. And the Groundsmaster 4300-D and 4500-D are doing an excellent job on the semi roughs, bringing a better quality of cut to the tee and green banks. The boys love their comfort and ease of use, too. The GreensPro is also a brilliant machine.”
But perhaps it’s the ever-popular ProCore 648 that’s impressed Phillip and his team the most. “I always used a tractor-mounted aerator in the past and wasn’t convinced about switching to a pedestrian one as I thought it would be slow. But it’s super quick and does just what you want it to. The boys really like it, which just goes to show as they usually complain about having to use a pedestrian machine, what with all the walking it entails! I can see why people rave about the 648 now!”
For more information on Toro machinery, call distributor Lely UK on 01480 226800, email toro.info.uk@lely.com or visit www.toro.com
The Oaks Golf Centre http://theoaksgolf.co.uk