World famous Royal St George’s Golf Club is celebrating the arrival of its first Toro machinery fleet, worth £330,000.
The 18-hole course, which lays claim to having hosted PGA and Amateur Championships, and Walker and Curtis Cups, as well as 14 Open Championships, is considered one of the world’s best, so chose what it considered the best machinery and after-sales service available to care for its historic course.
Therefore from now on St George’s high standards of course presentation will be delivered by a new Toro fleet, comprising a Groundsmaster 4700 and 3500 with Sidewinder, plus two new fairway mowers – the Reelmaster 3550-D and 5410. The very latest in green technology completes the line-up in the shape of four TriFlex Hybrid 3420 riding greensmowers with electric reel cutting units.
Paul Larsen, course manager, explains what clinched this, the club’s first Toro deal. “The only bit of Toro equipment we’ve had in the last 20 years is the ProCore aerator, but lately I have been considering how we can better suit our machinery to the course’s needs. As a club we want to continue the highest standards of presentation possible and consider all the advances in technology – and Toro gives us both.
“First-class course maintenance is of the utmost priority and one of the main things I was looking for was a machine that could give a really precise cut around the bunkers. We’ve only been using the new machines for a few weeks, but straight away the Sidewinder is achieving that. The cut is a bit higher which will avoid scalping and give us a better finish long term. I’m also not getting so much wear and tear on these areas any more, so I’m really pleased with that result.”
He continues: “Of course the quality you get from Toro is well-known and that played a major part in our decision-making process. But just as important is the confidence I have in the after-sales service. Richard Wood at John Shaw Machinery and I have a good relationship and I know I’ll get the service I need from him.
“Toro is the right choice to enable us to continue moving forwards in providing the very best for our members,” he concludes.
For more information on Toro machinery, call distributor Lely UK on 01480 226800, email turfcare.uk@lely.com or visit www.toro.com
Royal St George’s Golf Club www.royalstgeorges.com