Dunblane New replaces the old

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Dunblane New replaces the old: Dunblane New Golf Club’s course is located in the centre of the cathedral city of Dunblane in one of the most picturesque areas of Perthshire. The course’s elevated position provides beautiful panoramic views over the Forth Valley, the Campsie Fells and beyond, including Stirling Castle, the Southern Highlands and the peaks of Ben Lomond and Ben Ledi.

The ‘New’ name came about because until 1922 golf was played on a small nine-hole course adjoining the River Allan on what is now a public park. History states that play started on the new course in April 1923, after a horse, cart and harness with a roller box and two mowers were bought and Mr J C Ross was appointed as greenkeeper at £3 10s a week.

Dunblane New replaces the old

Dunblane New replaces the old

Almost 100 years on, course manager Wes Saunders has taken delivery of 11 new machines from local dealer Double A, the club’s first John Deere fleet deal, as part of an ongoing landscaping and maintenance programme designed to continue the enduring quality and appeal of the course to members and visitors.

The latest fleet comprises two 2750E triplex and three 220E walk-behind hybrid electric greens mowers, two 7700A PrecisionCut fairway mowers, 9009A and 7400A utility TerrainCut rotary mowers, plus a Tru-Turf RB70 greens roller and a Campey Turf Care Air2g2 air injection machine.

These were bought using a tailored John Deere Financial agreement with six-year PowerGard Protection plans for full maintenance and servicing, allowing the club to have a fixed machinery budget with no extra costs. This is the first part of a replacement programme that Wes and Double A’s golf key accounts manager John Bateson are working through together, with tractors and utility vehicles being looked at this year to complete the fleet.

Originally hailing from Sydney, Australia where he did his greenkeeping apprenticeship at Elanora Country Club north of the city, Wes Saunders has 27 years’ experience working on golf courses across the world. After leaving his home country, he spent several years in the US and Canada before joining Dunblane New Golf Club six years ago as course manager.

“I first put a proposal to the club two years ago to update the equipment fleet, but the timing wasn’t quite right for the finance so the idea was postponed for a year,” says Wes. “The board then agreed what we could spend on a monthly basis and we held a competitive tender with the main manufacturers, bringing in various machines for demonstrations and assessment by the greenkeeping team.

“We made the decision based on whether the kit was fit for purpose, our likes and dislikes, serviceability and previous history with the suppliers. We chose John Deere, not just on price – although that was a prime consideration – but also on the key aspects of quality and reliability of the equipment and, most importantly, the strong relationship with the Double A dealership and their parts and service backup. The terms from John Deere Financial were also very flexible, which enabled us to get what we needed to meet the club’s budget.

“All the machines were in place by the end of April this year, and everything’s working out a treat now. We use the 2750E hybrid electric triplex mowers to cut the greens for most of the year, and the 220E walk-behinds for special tournaments when we need a little more refinement in the finish, then these are used on the greens throughout the winter.

“The new A Model mower technology is also proving particularly useful – even though we’re still experimenting a little with its capabilities, the use of the programmable TechControl system to achieve the desired results consistently across the course is proving to be a game-changer.

“Overall I am very pleased with the performance of the new machines. We have quickly seen improvements to the course as well as labour savings with the extra control provided by the new mowers’ advanced technology features.”

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Toro chosen to improve operations

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Toro chosen to improve operations: Sustainable machinery in the form of Toro’s all-electric Greensmaster eTriFlex 3370 and three electric Workman GTXe utility vehicles lead Wallasey Golf Club’s new order with Cheshire Turf Machinery.

Situated on the Wirral Peninsula overlooking Liverpool Bay and the Irish Sea with views of the Snowdonian landscape in the distance, Wallasey Golf Club is carved out of ancient sand dunes that have bordered the Wirral coast for hundreds of years. The links landscape is not only home to the England Golf Championship venue designed by Tom Morris Snr of St Andrews, but also rare species of fauna, flora and wildlife.

Toro chosen to improve operations

When John McLoughin joined the club as course manager at the end of 2020, a key part of his job was to sensitively manage the course to provide a wonderful test of golf and safeguard the haven the rare species call home. Sustainability was therefore a key requirement in his first fleet deal for the club – and where Toro steps in as market leader.

As the only all-electric riding greensmower on the market, Toro’s Greensmaster eTriFlex 3370 formed the basis of the order, designed as it is with zero emissions, no hydraulic leaks and less noise pollution.

John says: “I was looking to make the sustainable choice wherever possible and reduce the impact on the environment in terms of pollution, vibration and noise. Toro is a brand I have used in my previous roles and trust implicitly to do the job well. The eTriFlex is exceptional and everyone loves using it. It’s quiet and smooth to use, the cut is refined and we’re able to cut 1.8 hectares of greens using the 14 blade cylinders with groomers attached with under 50 percent of charge.”

It goes without saying the Greensmaster eTriFlex 3370 fits the bill when it comes to sustainability, so too does the Workman GTX-e utility vehicle which is why John ordered three. John confirms: “These electric options from Toro match what we want to do in terms of improving the club’s environmental footprint and we’re delighted with their contribution and performance so far.”

Also included in the order were machines to help with strategic decisions to make specific improvements or deal with specific issues, as John explains: “We have purchased two Greensmaster 1026 pedestrian mowers to enable the team to hand mow the tees. This has greatly improved their presentation, surface refinement and aesthetic appearance.”

The Groundsmaster 4500-D mower meanwhile was brought in to improve operations, John says: “Previously cutting the roughs was taking 14-man hours, with the Groundsmaster it takes five allowing the team to deliver a greater level of attention to detail across the site.”

The deal was struck with Cheshire Turf Machinery with whom John has a long-standing relationship. Steve Halley, managing director at the dealers in Stockport, near Manchester, says: “We’re so pleased to be doing business with John in his new role at Wallasey having worked with him previously at Warrington Golf Club. Part of his role has been to lead the development programme on the golf course with an eye on sustainability and improved productivity and we’re delighted to hear the Toro machines have been instrumental in helping the team achieve their goals.”

The club confirms that under the stewardship of John and his team, with the aid of Toro, the work carried out reinstating the links’ natural dunes and clearing degenerate scrub and woodlands has seen the wildlife return and true rolling links’ mosaic enhanced helping improve the agronomic characteristic of the holes, and that is great news for the environment and golfers alike.

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