Le Golf National, owned by the French Federation of Golf, has re-affirmed its confidence in Ransomes Jacobsen France for the supply of turf maintenance equipment, which will be used for maintaining the 45-hole complex including the prestigious Albatros course, the host since 1991 of the Open de France and of the Ryder Cup in 2018.
Designed and created in 1987 by the renowned French architect Hubert Chesneau, located in Guyancourt, in the county of the Yvelines (78), Golf National was officially inaugurated in 1990. Apart from the championship course, the Albatros, Golf National offers another 18-hole course called the Aigle as well as a 9-hole training course – the Oiselet. In 2014, Le Golf National received the GEO certification in recognition of its standard in the areas of nature, water, energy, supply chain, pollution control, and community, and of its commitment to continual improvement.
Following the agreement signed in 2010, Golf National now makes use exclusively of Jacobsen products: on an everyday basis, 21 mowers are used to maintain the greens, of which nine are walk behinds and 12 are ride-on units, including the Eclipse 322 hybrid equipped with the latest Jacobsen technology. Fairways are maintained using five units with a further eight mowers used in the maintenance of the roughs, tees and collars. The golf course also uses utility vehicles as well as miscellaneous other products from Turfco, Smithco, Graden and Greentek that Ransomes Jacobsen France also distributes exclusively in France.
During major competitions, as mentioned in the partnership agreement, Ransomes Jacobsen France supplies additional machines and technical support on site. Several technicians including factory delegates work hand-in-hand with the team of mechanics and gardeners managed by superintendent Alejandro Reyes, to achieve absolute perfection of the course. The number of additional units needed as well as the duration of the loan are set every year out of common agreement with the superintendent.
Delighted to have prolonged this exclusive partnership with the FFG, Laurent Proupin, the general manager of Ransomes Jacobsen France declared: “We are very proud and honoured to have gained again the confidence of the FFG in the maintenance of this emblematic course. This reinforces our status of preferred supplier to some of the greatest French courses as Jacobsen products are used to maintain courses which host the most important national tournaments such as Golf d’Evian and Golf de St Omer. As a branch of the manufacturer of turf maintenance products, specialising in the golf sector, this is a real triumph for us; we couldn’t have dreamed of a better recognition of the quality of our products and our services.”
Explaining the reasons of this choice, Mr Jean Lou Charon, the President of the FFG stated: “The Federation’s choice for 2015 is the logical result of a tried and tested partnership over the past five years and the synergy between Ransomes Jacobsen and Golf National. This will be a pivotal year as Golf National will undergo important work until July 2016. We are confident that the necessary technical support will be given to ensure optimum preparation for Open de France 2015.”
Le Golf National www.golf-national.com
Ransomes Jacobsen www.ransomesjacobsen.com
View more Golf Course News and latest list of Most-read stories