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More Players For Heswall Since Toro Fleet Brought In

March 7, 2017/in Press Release/by Admin

When the board of directors at Heswall Golf Club on the Wirral Peninsula chose Toro for the first time in 2013 following a lengthy study of the “top three” brands, it was in a move to help improve the quality, appearance and playability of the course. Now, two and a half years later, it’s time […]

Spey Valley Golf Club Tackles Thatch

March 7, 2017/in Press Release/by Admin

More Players For Heswall Since Toro Fleet Brought In

March 7, 2017/in Press Release/by Admin

Spey Valley Golf Club Tackles Thatch

March 7, 2017/in Press Release/by Admin

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More Players For Heswall Since Toro Fleet Brought In

March 7, 2017/in Press Release/by Admin

Guy Cannings, course manager, says: “Until the end of 2013, we’d never had a Toro machine here at Heswall, so to go from nothing to a whole fleet was a big move. Although Toro performed brilliantly in the demos and in all areas actually, any step into the unknown comes with uncertainty.”

There was no need for reservations though, as Guy says the “quality of the mowers is evident in the quality, now, of the course aesthetically and how it plays; it has improved since we’ve started using Toro and we are attracting more players to the club as a result, which is fantastic.”

Not only has the ten-strong Toro fleet proved itself by helping improve the quality of the existing course, but it has also tended six greens as they have been relaid. And as a result of its positive performance, Heswall has since added to the shed with another Reelmaster 3100-D with Sidewinder, a Groundsmaster 4700-D and a ProPass 200 trailed topdresser.

Guy says: “When it came to adding to our fleet, we didn’t just opt for Toro again simply to add to an existing predominantly Toro fleet, we conducted a thorough evaluation and Toro came out on top again.

“The RM3100-D has proved itself over the last couple of years, it’s really economical, which is why we have invested in another for the greens. This will complement the original Sidewinder which will now apply its versatility on the greens surrounds, tee banks and semi-roughs.”

Steve Halley of Cheshire Turf Machinery, Heswall’s local Toro dealer and who worked with the club to agree the deal, which also includes a maintenance package, says: “Before any machinery was installed we took the greens staff to Reesink Turfcare HQ in St Neots for operator training. This was to ensure the team was confident in the operation of the mowers, how to get the most out of their new machinery and manoeuvre the fleet safely and skillfully.”

Reesink is renowned for its industry-leading training, which is delivered by nationally recognised quality assured trainers and assessors, and is committed to those companies, like Heswall, who wish to develop and invest in their employees’ skills.

It also provides the perfect opportunity for everyone to get to know each other better, as Steve Halley confirms: “Not only are the training courses beneficial on a practical level, they also offer the opportunity for everyone to get to know each other. We’ve really enjoyed working with Guy, Graham [Capewell, club secretary] and the team over the last couple of years and it’s great to hear they are finding more players now enjoying their beautiful course and all it has to offer.”

Spey Valley Golf Club Tackles Thatch

March 7, 2017/in Press Release/by Admin

Spey Valley Golf & Country Club may have been voted the most picturesque course in the UK, but for Head Greenkeeper Dave Beardwood it has its drawbacks. At 400 feet above sea level, and set in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, this 18 hole championship course delivers some spectacular views for the players. With a reduced growing season being so far north, Dave needs to maximise the efficiency of the maintenance season so he turned to a Graden CSI and a Redexim Speedbrush, from Charterhouse Turf Machinery for help.

“Because of our high location, we have a more limited window to get maintenance activities done. We don’t usually get good growth until the start of May and it tails off again in October – we just don’t get the soil temperatures” explains Dave. When he joined Spey Valley nearly 3 years ago, there was an issue with moss on the greens which Dave didn’t want to tackle with coring. “I was keen to eradicate the moss using a less invasive method, while still removing a good amount of material.”

Having used a Graden machine before during his time working at a club in Cyprus, Dave decided to invest in a Graden CSI, from Charterhouse Turf Machinery, which was delivered mid-2016. Due to staffing levels, the greens were covered over a period of weeks with Dave delighted at the results. “We removed a good amount of material, some of which we sent off for testing. It showed only 5% thatch which reaffirmed my decision not to hollow core. When using the CSI we used a combination of sand and seed to backfill the grooves and we achieved great germination, despite the work taking place late in our growing season.”

At the same time, Dave took delivery of a Redexim Speedbrush to help him achieve his greens project. “We’d carried out some deep aeration followed by a heavy topdress, and with the damp mornings etc it took a while for the sand to work in – it was evident we needed a piece of kit to work the sand down more effectively.” To date, the Speedbrush has been great for light topdressings following the Graden work and for collecting seedlings and debris from the greens.

“It’s relatively early days but the results achieved with both machines so far are very positive. We’re all looking forward to what can be achieved with a full year and season ahead.”

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More Players For Heswall Since Toro Fleet Brought In

Spey Valley Golf Club Tackles Thatch

More Players For Heswall Since Toro Fleet Brought In

Spey Valley Golf Club Tackles Thatch

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More Players For Heswall Since Toro Fleet Brought In

Spey Valley Golf Club Tackles Thatch

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