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The World has changed but Turf still Matters

March 18, 2020/in News, Press Release/by Scott MacCallum

The World has changed but Turf still Matters: Sadly, I’m no longer a young guy, but in my late 50s, as I am, I can never recall a time like these. We’ve had the bank crash; we’re in the middle of BREXIT and now we have the Coronavirus. Things do happen in threes. The first […]

Royal Portrush signs Toro agreement

March 18, 2020/in Machinery, News, Press Release/by Izzy Cutler

Royal Portrush signs Toro agreement: Fresh off the success of the 2019 Open Championship it hosted, Royal Portrush Golf Club has signed another five-year agreement with Toro, bringing the relationship between the historic club and the brand to 30 years. When we last spoke to course manager Graeme Beatt The Open had just concluded and […]

The World has changed but Turf still Matters

March 18, 2020/in News, Press Release/by Scott MacCallum

Royal Portrush signs Toro agreement

March 18, 2020/in Machinery, News, Press Release/by Izzy Cutler

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The World has changed but Turf still Matters

March 18, 2020/in News, Press Release/by Scott MacCallum

The World has changed but Turf still Matters: Sadly, I’m no longer a young guy, but in my late 50s, as I am, I can never recall a time like these. We’ve had the bank crash; we’re in the middle of BREXIT and now we have the Coronavirus. Things do happen in threes.

The first two had, and are continuing to have, devastating impacts on our lives, but the third has the potential to change everything.

As I write, we are in the equivalent of the dentist waiting room – the anticipation, the dread, and let’s face it, the fear of what is to come.

I’d like to say that this is the worst bit, it usually is, and that once we are in the midst of it all we will find a new normality. But I don’t know. The talk of the impact on our collective health and the devastation that will occur when we are not in a position to earn a living, through self-isolation or the loss of job is truly frightening and no-one, not even Donald Trump, is in a position to predict what the world will look like when the dust finally settles.

The natural inclination is to feel that there is nothing little old me can do to make a difference; such is the enormity of it all. But some people have thought, and acted, beyond that and are doing whatever they can to help others – setting up community delivery programmes, making sure the elderly and self-isolating are not lonely and do have provisions if they cannot get out, or if they do not have the money to provide.

It warms the heart and counters those other news reports of those who are in denial – the “It’s only a bit of flu” merchants – who not only become prime spreaders of the virus, but take up the valuable time of police and medical services, who have many better things to do than cautioning the brainless to act appropriately.

Our industry is relatively small, and in many ways particularly vulnerable both health-wise and commercially – not even our most ardent supporters could describe us as an essential service. I’d like to think, however, that the nature of our business and the quality of people who inhabit it is our strength. We can, and do, help each other.

Businesses are slashing budgets – they have no option – but while not wishing to compare ourselves to those essential medical staff, safe, outdoor spaces will increasingly become sanctuaries for many and will need to be maintained. Sport of the participation variety if not the spectator, will be important for the health and well-being of the nation, whether it be the Sunday league or the Saturday fourball.

We do need to keep working and, if that means an even more increased spirit of co-operation and sharing of manpower or equipment, we should look to make it happen.

Turf Matters will act as a conduit to anyone looking for help, or anyone with help to offer, so please use our digital platforms for that purpose. We can’t guarantee to provide an answer but please see it as Turf Matters trying to do its little bit.

Yes, things will not be the same, perhaps they will never be, but what can remain is our spirit to help keep the wagons rolling.

“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of others” Charles Dickens.

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Royal Portrush signs Toro agreement

March 18, 2020/in Machinery, News, Press Release/by Izzy Cutler

Royal Portrush signs Toro agreement: Fresh off the success of the 2019 Open Championship it hosted, Royal Portrush Golf Club has signed another five-year agreement with Toro, bringing the relationship between the historic club and the brand to 30 years.

When we last spoke to course manager Graeme Beatt The Open had just concluded and recovery of the course was paramount. Now, Graeme can look back at the event and all that came with it.

Royal Portrush signs Toro agreement

He reflects: “In the four years running up to the competition we made some big changes. This included adding seven new holes, 34 tees and 22 bunkers across both our courses. And the Dunluce links course, which held The Open, had added five new greens, 19 tees and 18 bunkers, plus changes to every hole of some kind. Additionally, two miles of road and 18 miles of pipe and ducting were installed to accommodate new infrastructure for spectators of The Open. Toro machinery and irrigation were integral to our prep, the course maintenance throughout the event and the aftercare. And the whole time we saw excellent results which, with 25 years of experience with Toro at the club, was nothing less than expected!”

It’s this long history of Toro’s excellent performance and reliability that saw the club sign a further five-year agreement at the conclusion of last year, continues Graeme: “I’ve been using Toro for the majority of my career and during that time the machines have proved themselves to be reliable and robust. The finish they provide is second to none. Combined with the excellent service from Reesink Turfcare, there really was no question who we would turn to for our next renewal, especially after the huge success of The Open, which was a real team effort.

“Reesink loaned us 25 Toro machines, joining our 50-strong existing fleet, and we simply wouldn’t have been able to make such a success of hosting the event without that help. With many of the players staying late to get extra practice, we had to get the course – all 7,300 yards of it – ready within a very short time period each morning. And it wasn’t just the increased number of machines that allowed us to do this, but the efficiency and quality of those machines.”

And the quality of Toro machines was further proved after the conclusion of the competition. With so many spectators, a huge 237,750 making it the highest attended championship outside of St Andrews, Toro was needed to help with the recovery of the links course.

“The course was generally in great condition when the competition ended as the maintenance throughout was to such a high standard, from both the machinery and irrigation,” says Graeme. “However the spectator areas had seen a lot of stress, so it was important to have high-quality machinery to aid the turf’s recovery, which of course Toro provided.”

With the course back up to standard and a new agreement in place, Graeme’s thoughts turned to the next five years and he has big plans: “We’re looking at bringing in Infinity sprinklers across the whole course after seeing them in action on the new holes. They perform so well, particularly in windy conditions which we have a lot of here! We’re also considering introducing hybrid mowers to the fleet. Not only are they better for the environment and eliminate any possibility of an oil leak, but they are now tried and tested machines.”

But ultimately, what this latest deal does is “continue to provide golfers with a championship standard experience,” says Graeme.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

The World has changed but Turf still Matters

Royal Portrush signs Toro agreement

The World has changed but Turf still Matters

Royal Portrush signs Toro agreement

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

The World has changed but Turf still Matters

The World has changed but Turf still Matters: Sadly, I’m no longer a young guy, but in my late 50s, as I am, I can never recall a time like these. We’ve had the bank crash; we’re in the middle of BREXIT and now we have the Coronavirus. Things do happen in threes.

Royal Portrush signs Toro agreement

Royal Portrush signs Toro agreement: Fresh off the success of the 2019 Open Championship it hosted, Royal Portrush Golf Club has signed another five-year agreement with Toro, bringing the relationship between the historic club and the brand to 30 years.

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