Farleigh’s New Partnership

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Farleigh’s New Partnership: A brand new partnership between Farleigh Golf Club, John Deere and dealer Farol Ltd has seen the first ever fleet of John Deere course maintenance equipment arrive at the course. This forms part of an ongoing investment in the club and its facilities worth £6.5 million since the Hayton family acquired Farleigh in 2010, to become part of The Foxhills Collection.

“The partnership is a true representation of our commitment to improving quality and maintaining our golf offering at all times,” says Adam Walsh, who has been general manager for two years following a spell as golf sales manager.

Farleigh's New Partnership

Opened in 1997 near Croydon, Farleigh is a fast-draining downland-style course which boasts 27 Championship-standard holes redesigned by Ryder Cup legend John Jacobs, with greens built to USGA specifications. Three separate nine-hole loops can be played in any combination as three different 18-hole layouts or even all 27, each layout providing an enjoyable challenge for golfers of all abilities.

The course hosted the 2018 PGA Assistants’ Championship as well as its southern section final qualifier, and is the only national PGA venue in the area. The club has also recently signed up for the next two years to host the national PGA Fourball Championship.

Adam Walsh explains the reasoning behind the club’s decision to partner with John Deere and Farol for the first time: “Our previous fleet was coming up to eight years old, so we decided to go through a formal tender process to upgrade and replace the machinery as necessary. At the same time, we were looking to establish a new partnership approach with a supplier as an exclusive agreement, rather than simply replace the odd machine here and there over time.

“The local dealer Farol started demonstrations with us in 2017, arranged by golf & turf area manager Dave Searles, and we soon found that there was a real willingness to create a proper partnership with the club and meet our long-term business needs. One of the main influencing factors in the choice of John Deere was the effort that was put into delivering the full package we were looking for, compared to the other companies we dealt with.”

Course manager Kenny MacPhail, who has been at the club for approaching five years, had used some John Deere equipment before but as he says: “What’s good for one course may not be so suitable for another, so I wanted the greenkeeping team to experience the John Deere kit as widely as possible before we made the final decision.

Farleigh's New Partnership

“Generally we’ve been impressed with the range, especially the easy height of cut adjustment on the rotary 8800A TerrainCut rough mower and 7400A trim & surrounds mower, which both feature the programmable TechControl display. We have a lot of drainage ditches, and the 7400A’s shiftable deck system saves a lot of manpower, as it can mow down into them more easily.

“The overall operator experience is good too – everything is laid out simply and is very user-friendly. It’s obvious a lot of engineering thought has gone into the manufacturing process, particularly to make servicing and maintenance very straightforward.”

Other machines in the 14-strong fleet include both 2500B hydraulic and 2500E hybrid electric greens mowers, 8900A wide area fairway mowers, a 1600T wide area rotary mower, Pro Gators with top dresser and sprayer attachments, TH 6×4 Gator utility vehicles and a 5075E 75hp utility tractor.

“We have just had a record financial year and the club is definitely going in the right direction,” says Adam Walsh. “The course continues to improve, and stylistically it’s different to the majority of courses in the area – it’s very open and exposed and sets different challenges, more like an inland links.

“We aim to provide a relaxed atmosphere, while underpinning every step we take with the emphasis on quality and attention to detail in order to give our members and visitors the best possible value. We’re very enthusiastic about the future at Farleigh, and this new partnership with John Deere and Farol is a definite step forward in helping us to achieve our goals.”

For more information, visit: www.JohnDeere.co.uk

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Sharrocks’ New Etesia Territories

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Sharrocks’ New Etesia Territories: Etesia UK has announced that Sharrocks has extended its current areas in Birmingham, Shropshire and Staffordshire to now also cover the South Lancashire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester and Cheshire areas.

Sharrocks is a specialist supplier of tractors, professional and domestic turf machinery and both agricultural and arboricultural equipment. For over 55 years the family owned business, which is now in its fourth generation, has delivered a trusted service throughout the Midlands, North of England & North Wales.

Sharrocks' New Etesia Territories

The company, which has a Northern depot in Wigan, Manchester and a Midlands depot in Sandbach, near Stafford is experienced with the full range of Etesia products and is geographically well-placed to offer an excellent customer experience for sales and after-sales support, spare parts and service.

Sharrocks has replaced the previous dealer in these areas and this new announcement comes after a hugely successful debut year as an Etesia dealer.

“We’ve been a recognised Etesia dealer for just over a year now and I couldn’t have asked for more,” said managing director James Sharrock. “The support from Etesia has been fantastic and the products have been incredibly well received from so many contractors and local authorities.

“They are expertly designed machines which have consistently proved themselves over the years. Our customer base always comment on their performance, their low vibration levels and their great longevity – there is also a very good acceptance on spare part prices. In my opinion they are products designed for this market rather than being a domestic machine made heavier to cope with commercial application – which is what the vast majority of lawnmowers in this sector are.”

The complete range of Etesia equipment is now available for both hire and purchase from Sharrocks, who will also take on responsibility for all parts, servicing and warranty for current users.

For further information, please contact Etesia UK on 01295 680120 or visit www.etesia.co.uk.

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Toro Longevity At Bedfordshire GC

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Toro Longevity At Bedfordshire GC: Bedfordshire Golf Club has been a Toro customer for 18 years, and much of this relationship longevity has been put down to the service received from Reesink Turfcare.

Part-way through its third five-year agreement with Toro and Reesink course manager John Gubb says he’s remained loyal because “Reesink gives you the premier service you’d expect for a brand like Toro.”

Toro Longevity At Bedfordshire GC

He elaborates: “We’ve been using Toro for quite some time because reliable and hardwearing machines are vital for this course. However, when you sign an agreement with Toro and Reesink it’s not just high-quality machines you’re getting, it’s the whole package.

“It’s every aspect of the experience and service,” says John. “From dealing with the Reesink rep, Julian Copping, to everyone on the parts and servicing team. We have a really good working relationship with them all, which is what you expect when you’re working with the best.”

But it’s not just that, Toro and Reesink have proven to go above and beyond to help the club when it needed it most. Since the club’s relocation eighteen years ago, major floods in 2000, 2007 and two in 2008 hit the course, but with Toro came a helping hand.

“They lent us utility vehicles and pedestrian mowers to help get the course back on track, as our equipment sheds were inaccessible because of the flood water,” John explains. “The loaned machines helped enormously in the turf’s subsequent recovery.”

The most recent addition to the fleet is a replacement Groundsmaster 4100-D for use on the roughs. John says: “We’ve actually sold on our older model to another local club. It’s been an incredibly reliable machine for the last 13 years and still has life in it yet, but for us, the new model means we can stay up to date with Toro’s latest technology.”

With its SmartPower system, the Groundsmaster 4100-D is the perfect combination of power and performance, and better for the environment. For John, there’s no question the hardwearing machine fits the requirements of the club’s 150-acres, made up of an 18 hole course and 9 hole academy course.

“With a large area to cover, having robust and durable equipment is an absolute must,” he says. “We’ve only had the new Groundsmaster for a short time, but already you can see how the new features have improved the machine.”

Looking at how the course has progressed since introducing Toro, John reflects: “We have over 600 playing members in total, and they all expect a high-quality playing surface. And let’s just say that there are no complaints from them when it comes to the course and the greenkeeping equipment.”

He concludes: “There’s nothing out there that beats Toro. So, it’s a no-brainer to keep updating the fleet. With Toro, we’re safe in the knowledge the machines will last, but we can also make use of updates in their technology to keep the club at the top of its game.”

For more information, visit: reesinkturfcare.co.uk

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Toro Reliability At Rookery Park

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Toro Reliability At Rookery Park: Rookery Park Golf Club in Suffolk has recently purchased three Toro machines because “reliability is key” for course manager Neil Davey.

Neil explains: “We’re gradually replacing all of our old machines and the time had come to update two of our fairway mowers. They were continuously breaking down and we were putting money into repairs for machines that just weren’t dependable, and we couldn’t rely on to deliver what we needed. So, to replace them, we turned to Toro and bought two Reelmaster 3575-D mowers at the start of the year, and more recently we invested in another Greensmaster TriFlex 3400.”

Toro Reliability At Rookery Park

Even though Toro already makes up 90 percent of the greenkeeping equipment at the club, each machinery purchase is done on a case-by-case basis and Toro has been chosen again, predominantly for its reliability but also for the results it produces. “It’s not a given we’ll go with Toro the next time we update the fleet but from my experience it’s highly likely! We base ourselves on hard work, so what we need are trustworthy machines. Everywhere I’ve worked throughout my career, there’s been Toro, and for good reason. It consistently provides high-quality for a good price, and that allows us to do the best job possible with the budget we have.”

After contacting Julian Copping from Reesink Turfcare who set up a demonstration, Neil and the team put the machines to the test. With the features of the Reelmaster 3575-D including a powerful 24.8hp diesel engine as well as smooth turf-friendly tyres to reduce compaction and damage, it was no wonder Neil and the team were impressed.

He enthuses: “I particularly liked the three-wheel-drive system on the Reelmaster, it allows for tight turns easily and the handling in general was great. In fact, the whole team loves to use Toro, it’s easy to operate and whenever there have been any issues, they get sorted immediately. The service from Reesink is great.”

When it came to the Greensmaster TriFlex 3400, Neil didn’t need much convincing. “It’s definitely one of the best machines I’ve ever used,” he comments. “It has such good flexibility; the quick-change units make servicing the cutting units fast and easy. We’ve purchased a new model but we’re keeping the old one. Toro is known to keep its residual value and this machine is proof of that, it’s still in great condition with plenty of life yet.”

The 27-hole course set as it is in parkland, provides not only a challenging game for its 700 members, but a challenge for Neil and the team to keep in top condition too, but with Toro in the shed Neil says: “Our members have all seen an improvement in the course since we’ve brought in more Toro machines, the results are clear and prove we made the right decision. I know I’m doing my job right by going with Toro and I can know I can trust them not to let us down.”

For more information, visit: reesinkturfcare.co.uk

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Toro Instrumental For Golf Course Reinvention

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Toro Instrumental For Golf Course Reinvention: Toro machinery has been instrumental in the reinvention of two municipal golf clubs located in the South Liverpool and Merseyside areas.

Managed by golf operators Green Circles Estates, there has been a heavy investment in the vision to create two venues providing accessible, affordable golf for all. As a result, Allerton Manor Golf Club in South Liverpool and Sherdley Park Golf Course in St Helens, Merseyside have both undergone significant transformations in recent years.

Toro Instrumental For Golf Course Reinvention

When Green Circle Estates became the Operating Partner with Liverpool City Council in 2015 for Allerton Manor Golf Course, it was an easy decision to purchase a fleet of Toro machinery to maintain the greens. Confidence in Toro was confirmed when Green Circle Estates became the Operating Partner of St Helens Council in May 2018 for Sherdley Park Golf Course and additional Toro machinery was purchased.

Significant investment has gone into the leisure facilities at Allerton Manor Golf Club, there is The Old Stables Restaurant, The Hay Loft Function Room and Fletcher’s Bar. There are plans in place for a new clubhouse at Sherdley Park Golf Course and both have benefitted from substantial investment to the golf courses.

Bryan Joelson-Mulhall, director of golf says: “The investment and redevelopment of each is in a bid to provide an affordable and accessible golf offering true to the courses’ pay and play roots, but with the kind of facilities and standards expected at private members’ golf clubs. We support public access and welcome anyone to play and enjoy the facilities at either of these fantastic golfing locations.”

Allerton Manor Golf Club has benefitted from new Championship tees, bunkers and reshaped fairways, and Bryan says: “The investment in state-of-the-art Toro greenkeeping machinery will now improve the playability of the course, focusing on raising the standard and improving the quality of the turf across the site. Only Toro was ever considered for this role.”

Toro is used exclusively at both clubs and Richie Shields, as Allerton Manor’s new head greenkeeper explains: “I’ve used all the brands in my career and I always revert back to Toro thanks to its exceptional track record for performance and for, time and again, delivering a good result. It has been great to join Allerton Manor Golf Club at this exciting stage in its development, with investment being made, plans being realised and a brand-new fleet of machinery, to ensure we achieve the objectives for the course.”

The fleet deal includes the Reelmaster 3100-D, two Greensmaster 1600 and two Greensmaster 1000 pedestrian mowers, a Greensmaster TriFlex 3400, a Reelmaster 5510-D, Groundsmaster 3500-D and two Groundsmaster 4000-D machines. These are joined by two aerators in the ProCore 648 and SR48, the ProPass 200 topdresser, two Workman HDX utility vehicles, a debris blower 600 and a TYM T353 compact tractor, all supplied by dealer Cheshire Turf Machinery and Reesink Turfcare, a UK distributor of Toro and TYM Tractors.

It’s the pedestrian mowers Richie is so pleased to see arrive: “I’m very much in favour of hand-cutting the greens, there’s less disruption, you can get a faster pace on the greens and it improves presentation.”

Allerton Manor Golf Club is the first municipal pay and play golf course in the UK to undergo this kind of high-level refurbishment. Alongside the work being done to reinvent the Manor House and put the newly refurbished leisure and dining facilities on the South Liverpool map, are plans for lengthening the par 67 18-hole course to a par 72 Championship course.

The next course operated by Green Circle Estates to benefit from similar refurbishment is Sherdley Park Golf Course. Aiding the large-scale improvement works there are a new Reelmaster 6700-D fairway mower, Groundsmaster 4000-D for cutting roughs and surrounds, Greensmaster TriFlex 3400 for pristine tees and greens and the durable Workman HDX utility vehicle.

Partnering with Green Circle has enabled Liverpool City Council and St Helen’s Council to bring to an end to the uncertainty over the sites’ futures, breathing life back into the community surrounding each and creating leisure resorts and golfing facilities for all to access and enjoy.

There are exciting future plans for both clubs, both on and off the course and Toro will play a key part in on-course developments across the Green Circle Estates portfolio.

For more information, visit: reesinkturfcare.co.uk

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