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Gullane reclaims 40 hours a week using Toro

July 30, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Gullane reclaims 40 hours a week using Toro Gullane Golf Club in East Lothian, which operates three championship courses, took delivery of four Turf Pro 500 robotic mowers in April following a successful trial programme with Toro and the autonomous technology specialists from Reesink Turfcare. Since then, it has seen savings of up to 40 […]

Avant Tecno’s Charity Golf Day raises over £10,500

July 30, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Avant Tecno’s Charity Golf Day raises over £10,500 Manufacturer of compact multifunctional loaders, Avant Tecno, recently held a charity golf day with the goal of raising funds for the East Anglian Air Ambulance. Held at Suffolk Golf Club in Bury St Edmunds on 9th July, the event brought Avant dealers, partners and industry contacts together […]

Gullane reclaims 40 hours a week using Toro

July 30, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Avant Tecno’s Charity Golf Day raises over £10,500

July 30, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

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Gullane reclaims 40 hours a week using Toro

July 30, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Gullane reclaims 40 hours a week using Toro

Gullane Golf Club in East Lothian, which operates three championship courses, took delivery of four Turf Pro 500 robotic mowers in April following a successful trial programme with Toro and the autonomous technology specialists from Reesink Turfcare. Since then, it has seen savings of up to 40 labour hours every week.

Gullane reclaims 40 hours a week using Toro

The introduction of this new technology reinforces the club’s commitment to innovation just a year after completing a full Toro fleet refresh.

“I’m always considering what’s best for the golf course, what’s best for the golf club and what’s best for the staff,” says Paul Armour, Course Manager. “We’re constantly looking at ways to move things forward and I think this is definitely the future.

“Ten years ago I wouldn’t have believed we’d see this so soon, but the industry is facing ongoing staffing challenges and technology like this helps us use our people more effectively.”

Working overnight across 16 fairways, the autonomous mowers allow the greenkeeping team to focus on detailed course presentation and agronomic work.

“We’re saving between 30 and 40 hours a week during the growing season,” Paul confirms. “The four machines are cutting four fairways each, overnight, so the golfers never see them working.

“When we first discussed the technology, some of the team asked if it would replace greenkeepers,” he says. “The answer is absolutely not. We’re still looking for staff and, with three golf courses to maintain, we never have enough people.

“What it’s done is free our team from spending hours sitting on machines. Instead, they’re hand mowing more areas, spending more time on bunker maintenance, trimming and presentation work, and focusing on the finer details that make a difference to golfers.”

Beyond labour savings, the club is already seeing additional operational benefits. “These mowers are rotaries not cylinders, yet the quality of the cut is very good. They don’t collect the grass clippings; these are left on the surface and that’s potentially feeding the grass and improving it. Results from this will take some time but it looks like it could be another promising benefit to using these machines.”

The autonomous fleet complements the club’s wider sustainability programme, including solar-powered charging infrastructure. “We installed solar panels in 2025 and are increasingly using renewable energy to power our growing fleet of electric equipment, the Turf Pros included. This brings significant fuel savings and there’s less oil and less servicing.”

The Turf Pro fleet is currently operating across Gullane No.1, No.2 and No.3 courses, with charging stations located around the site. Following installation and mapping support from Reesink Turfcare, all four machines were operational within 10 days.

While the technology required an initial learning period, Paul says performance has exceeded expectations.

“It’s been pretty seamless,” he says. “Like anything new, there’s a learning curve, but the support from Toro and Reesink has been excellent. The team has embraced it and some of them now help manage the machines, monitor schedules and look after the fleet, which increases their skill set.”

Discover how Toro autonomous and robotic solutions could benefit your course by calling distributor Reesink Turfcare at 01480 226800, emailing info@reesinkturfcare.co.uk or visiting reesinkturfcare.co.uk.

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Avant Tecno’s Charity Golf Day raises over £10,500

July 30, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Avant Tecno’s Charity Golf Day raises over £10,500

Manufacturer of compact multifunctional loaders, Avant Tecno, recently held a charity golf day with the goal of raising funds for the East Anglian Air Ambulance.

Avant Tecno’s Charity Golf Day raises over £10,500

Held at Suffolk Golf Club in Bury St Edmunds on 9th July, the event brought Avant dealers, partners and industry contacts together for a day of golf, networking, food and fundraising in support of the lifesaving charity.

With fundraising initiatives including sponsored holes, a raffle and a charity auction, Avant exceeded its target, raising an impressive £10,526.

“What a fantastic day – it was an honour to bring our network together to play golf for a good cause! A huge thank you to everyone who attended, donated and helped us surpass our fundraising goal for such an important charity that helps save countless lives around East Anglia” says Raimo Ala-Korpi, Managing Director of Avant Tecno UK.

The East Anglian Air Ambulance charity provides advanced critical care to the most seriously ill and injured people in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk, by air and road.

Funded by public donations, the charity’s specialist doctors, critical care paramedics and pilots deliver advanced treatment, equipment and medication directly to patients, giving them the best possible chance of survival.

Following the announcement that Cambridge Airport – one of their bases of operations – is closing, coupled with rising fuel costs, the East Anglian Air Ambulance now relies on public support more than ever.

“Without funding, the East Anglian Air Ambulance simply couldn’t continue providing the rapid, lifesaving care that so many people depend on. That’s why we’ve stepped up to show our support, holding an event that not only raises money, but also spreads awareness for the incredible work that the charity delivers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year” adds Raimo.

After the round of golf, the charity event moved from the green to the clubhouse, featuring a BBQ, a charity raffle and auction, with prizes including a signed England rugby shirt, a golf holiday in Portugal, a luxury spa break and a week’s hire of both an Avant loader and a Leguan spider lift.

The tournament’s top golfers were also announced, with the Longest Drive going to Harrison Ferris, an impressive individual score of 44 points for Dan Hill and the Norwich City team taking top honours with 94 points to lift the coveted Avant Trophy.

“We’re incredibly grateful for the generosity shown by everyone who attended. After the overwhelming support, we’re already looking forward to hosting another charity golf day in 2027!” concludes Raimo.

Founded in Finland in 1991, Avant Tecno are the world’s first producer of the compact loader – a multi-functional machine built to tackle a wide range of tasks with ease and efficiency.

With over 200 attachments designed to meet the needs of their customers, Avant loaders support productivity across construction, plant hire, agriculture, landscaping, equestrian and property maintenance applications.

For more information about Avant Tecno, visit https://www.avanttecno.com/uk

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

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Gullane reclaims 40 hours a week using Toro

Avant Tecno’s Charity Golf Day raises over £10,500

Gullane reclaims 40 hours a week using Toro

Avant Tecno’s Charity Golf Day raises over £10,500

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Gullane reclaims 40 hours a week using Toro

Gullane reclaims 40 hours a week using Toro

Avant Tecno’s Charity Golf Day raises over £10,500

Avant Tecno’s Charity Golf Day raises over £10,500

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