Tag Archive for: Chooses

Progressive Surbiton chooses Kubota

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Progressive Surbiton chooses Kubota: At Surbiton Golf Club in Surrey, the majority of the 650 active playing members are competitive golfers, striving to improve their game and thus setting the bar high for course manager Andrew Kerr. Being equipped to maintain and further develop course standards is key, requiring top quality, reliable equipment.

This year Andrew has added a new Kubota B1241 compact and M5-112 utility tractor to the armoury, and they are proving to fit the brief well.

Progressive Surbiton chooses Kubota

Progressive Surbiton chooses Kubota

“We’re aiming to be as progressive as the members are and provide facilities so they can continually advance their game,” he explains. “‘The club decided to extend its practice facilities by adding a 100yd short game covered area and a 940sqm putting green with three different types of bunker including a ‘Royal St George’s’ type bunker for members who also like to play on links courses.”

The green is designed in the same way as the rest of the course, on two levels, with run offs, so members can practice and them transfer the skills to their round.

Andrew is working on a five-year plan of improvements on the course, with projects for 2022 including developing a members-only driving range, improved playing surface presentation and ecological enhancements. Rainwater harvesting and new water storage for irrigation are further environment-focused developments.

Much of the construction work, from the putting green extension to irrigation upgrades, is tackled in-house and the 115hp M5-112 is a key tool in the armoury, Andrew explains.

“For example we needed to move 3000 tonnes of material, and with a two tonne trailer this would have meant hundreds of trips. So using my agricultural background I took a different approach, purchasing the Kubota tractor and an eight tonne dump trailer on large wheels with balloon tyres, which sit outside the tractor wheels and minimise damage. We’ve got a high capacity digger, so matching the tractor and trailer to it increases efficiency.”

The course has a high percentage of heavy soils and predominantly push up greens, and a programme of cultural practices has been introduced including aeration and sanding. Greens have responded well to sandbanding, so the focus has now moved to fairways, tees and roughs.

“There’s a lot of pressure on the course with the high footfall and competitive golfers,” he comments.

The original purpose of buying the 24hp Kubota B1241 was to carry a ball collector for the new driving range, explains Andrew. “Many ranges use other solutions for ball collectors, but they can put a lot of strain on a vehicle, whereas the metal chassis of a tractor is built for it.”

The B1241 is fitted with Kubota’s new mid-ROPS option, which gives a lower overall height when folded down in height-restricted situations and importantly, frees up the rear of the tractor to attach the ball cage.

“The frame simply clamps to the back of the tractor and is easy to put on and remove. The mid-ROPS was an attractive feature for this.”

“However, we keep finding new uses for the B1241 – it’s a bit of a dogsbody! The Kubota has a very light footprint, yet it’s four-wheel drive. We like the manual transmission for its versatility, and the hydraulic spools to operate implements.”

He comments that while club has traditionally used a Charterhouse Speed Brush on a larger compact after topdressing, a trial of the Kubota with a Sisis Flexbrush proved that it could be more efficient.

‘We put a light dusting of sand on the greens every two weeks and follow it with three or four passes of the brush. It has made a significant improvement to the levels and playability.”

A home-built harrow is fitted for general grooming of the fairways and roughs and to brush in sand on the fairways.

“We also looking at using the tractor with a flail, and at fitting pallet forks to the three-point linkage.”

Andrew comments that the Kubotas are driven by all the members of the greenkeeping team, with their straightforward dependability proving to be a plus with the busy workload.

“Kubota has a pedigree, so you know what you are getting. We’re confident that they will still be working well in 15 years – the M5 probably has more horsepower than we need, but that adds to its longevity. We’re not just purchasing for now, but for the future.”

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St George’s Park chooses Dennis E-Series

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St George’s Park chooses Dennis E-Series: Andy Gray, Head of Grounds and Estates at St. George’s Park, believes that Dennis Mowers got everything absolutely right in producing its new range of battery-powered mowers – the E-Series.

Built in 2012 and set in 330-acres of stunning Staffordshire countryside, St. George’s Park is the home of England’s national football teams. Overseeing a team of fourteen members of staff, Andy Gray is the man responsible for the upkeep of all the pitches and landscaped areas.

St George’s Park chooses Dennis E-Series

St George’s Park chooses Dennis E-Series

Andy joined 21 months ago from Southampton FC, where he had responsibility for St. Mary’s Stadium and the Staplewood training campus. Throughout his tenure, both were highly regarded as outstanding football facilities, and he admits there were not many jobs to tempt him away from Southampton FC.

“I was never actively looking to leave Southampton FC,” he said. “However, I always saw the position at St George’s Park as one of the top jobs in this industry, so when I saw it available, I thought it would be good to prove myself somewhere else.”

Once settled into the position Andy felt the time had come to start exploring the idea of introducing battery-powered mowers.

“There were a number of reasons for wanting to go down the electric route,” he said. “The real motive though was for employee welfare in terms of noise and vibrations. There were also the emissions to consider, as well as the environmental impact, the sustainability, and the rising cost of fuel.”

As a long-term user of Dennis Mowers, Andy was quite certain on what brand of battery-powered mowers he wanted.

“I have used the Dennis G860 cylinder mowers since 2001 and when I moved here there was already a fleet of nine G860’s and four Dennis PRO 34R rotary mowers. I felt it was a no-brainer to stay with Dennis.”

Leaving no stone unturned, Dennis Mowers spent three years working with carefully selected partners to develop a range of quality battery-powered equipment befitting of the Dennis badge. The aim was to provide a reliable and long-lasting solution with the ultimate performance that helps professionals meet sustainability and environmental initiatives, reduce carbon footprint, emissions, running costs and noise without any range anxiety.

“It was obvious Dennis took their time to do their homework, due diligence, and all the testing to make sure they got it absolutely right. This was really positive from Dennis – they made sure they were selling the finished article.”

Andy chose to purchase two Dennis ES-860 cylinder mowers from the ES range.

This 34” battery powered turf management system delivers maximum versatility and the range of 13 interchangeable cassette options provide a solution to many day-to-day maintenance tasks such as cutting, scarifying, brushing, sorrel rolling, and verticutting.

Furthermore, traditional G860 cassettes will also fit the ES-860, meaning that customers will not have to purchase additional cassettes.

A robust LCD keypad screen is an integral feature of the handlebar console providing the operator with a multitude of information options including speed, clip rate, service checks, lifetime running reports and battery information.

“We use them daily in the same way we use the G860’s, whether it be for cutting, brushing or verticutting. Battery range is so important because if you are over the far side of the site and you’ve got two or three pitches to cut, then it is imperative that it lasts. The ES-860’s haven’t run out on us yet.

“They have also come in handy when the England senior team are here,” Andy continued. “Media activities take place on the indoor pitch which is right next to the senior team’s training pitch. We would always be preparing the pitch for their next training session and would be constantly asked to stop because the mowers were making too much noise. With the ES-860’s, we no longer have that problem.

“As a company, Dennis is fantastic – the factory is nearby and the service, backup and parts department have always been second to none.”

For further information or a no obligation demonstration, please contact Dennis 01332 824 777 or visit www.dennisuk.com

For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow Dennis on Twitter and Instagram @DennisMowers and like the company’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/DennisMowersUK. You can also view the latest Dennis videos by visiting www.youtube.com/DennisMowers

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Gullane Golf Club chooses Toro

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Gullane Golf Club chooses Toro: Gullane Golf Club in Scotland has chosen Toro as it works towards accreditation for its Golf Environmental Organisation (GEO) certification.  

Choosing five Workman GTX Lithium-Ion utility vehicles and two all-electric Greensmaster eTriFlex 3370 riding greensmowers to make a positive ecological and environmental impact, these new machines form another part of the club’s existing 10-year deal with Reesink Turfcare Scotland and the Toro brand – bringing the partnership to a quarter of a century.

Gullane Golf Club chooses Toro

Gullane Golf Club chooses Toro

Stewart Duff, course manager since 2006, explains: “We consistently do our best to make the course a better place and are working towards GEO Certification. One of the environmental and social responsibility factors considered is the amount of petrol and diesel machines used and we’re trying to reduce that as much as possible.

“We didn’t want to see the older buggies we had previously go, as they were excellent, but once we saw the new ones with the lithium batteries, we were sold,” Stewart continues. “They’re a big step up: they have more ground clearance and the new lithium-ion technology means the batteries don’t need topping off with distilled water once per week or to be replaced every couple of years like the conventional lead-acid ones, which is incredibly convenient.

“The fact that they’re environmentally friendly plus the savings made on fuel and reduced servicing cost, as well as the no noise pollution, ticked all the boxes for us. They’ve quickly become a firm favourite.”

The Workman GTX Lithium-Ion utility vehicle is all-electric and the largest lithium-ion model in its class. It also played a big role in Toro’s journey towards electric power, something the brand has been working towards for over 20 years, alongside the Greensmaster eTriFlex 3370, the first all-electric riding greensmower on the market, of which the club has ordered two.

Stewart says: “We ordered two eTriFlexes, one which we’ll get in August and another in January. Not only do they come with all the electric power benefits, but the fact that you can interchange different units quickly and easily with no spanners required, is another fantastic selling point.”

“I look forward to seeing what else Toro has in store when it comes to electric machines as we have been impressed with what has been launched already. It’s exciting to watch the next technological advancements emerge in this sector.”

To talk to someone about Toro technology and how the Toro range could suit your course, call 01480 226800.

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James Wilkinson chooses Foley

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James Wilkinson chooses Foley: Despite being scarce at UK golf clubs, those with a dedicated mechanic know the workshop is the beating heart of the greenkeeping operation.

Since 2005, James Wilkinson has been Buckinghamshire Golf Clubs Workshop and Equipment Manager, and over 17 years has created a workshop and grinding room befitting of the course where it is located.

James Wilkinson chooses Foley

James Wilkinson chooses Foley

Grinding has been in-house at Buckinghamshire since it opened in 1992. It is a small part of the club’s success that has seen it host the Rose Ladies Series, the Anderson Consulting World Match Play, the European Seniors Tournament Champions hosted by Gary Player and ISPS HANDA Ladies European Masters.

The quality on and off the course has gone some way to making the club home of the Ladies European Tour, but away from the impressive course and clubhouse in the greenkeeping shed is where James keeps the operation moving.

In November 2021, after just over two decades with his previous Foley Company grinders, James added an Accu-Pro 633 with AccuTouch3 and an Accu-Pro 672 bedknife grinder to his immaculate grinding room. For James, the new pair of American-made machines are ahead of the curve in terms of features and provide exactly what he needs to keep the Buckinghamshire mowers ready for action.

“There are a lot more benefits with the new grinders. Obviously, technology moved on in the last 20-odd years from our old Foley’s. So, even though we were getting good results before, we’re getting better results now, much more superior and much better quality.

“You now have the digital AccuTouch screen, so you can programme cycles into it, you can see exactly what’s going on, make sure they are parallel and vertical, and there’s so much in-depth information that I don’t even know all of it yet. I’m still learning every single time I use them.”

James has plenty of opportunities to study his new tools with the grinders in use all year round. The heavy work takes place during the winter with all the units stripped down, bearings checked, spin ground and then crucially relief ground, and it is here where he sees the biggest benefit.

On average, he saves ten minutes per unit on preparation for relief grinding back to OEM spec and using automation he can leave both grinders to work while he completes other tasks. However, it is the practice itself that he believes is crucial in getting the highest quality of cut.

“Relief grinding is extremely important. Every equipment manager will have their own way of doing things, and every equipment manager will believe in what they do. Some will believe relief grinding maybe isn’t necessary, and some people will swear by it. If you look at the big three manufacturers, Toro, Jacobsen and John Deere, they will all recommend that you relief grind to their specifications.

“You’re removing metal from the trailing edge of the blade. So, I’m basically forming an angle to reduce the contact area of the cutting edges. I’m going to have less heat and less friction because more metal equals more heat, and this reduces the blade contact, which again gives me less friction.”

Using the advancements in technology to streamline grinding has been a significant positive with the Accu-Pro 633, but when it comes to bedknife grinding, for James, the best got even better.

“The 672 hasn’t changed much from my last one, but the reason it hasn’t changed much is that it was so good. The saying is if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. You can absolutely improve things, but the actual mechanics haven’t really changed a lot.

“With that, it is a semi-automatic bedknife grinder. The bedknife itself is held on by electromagnets, so it holds the bar in place so it cannot move. It means you don’t have to clamp anything to it, there are no brackets, and on other machines, you have to mess around and get it into a holder, but you don’t have any of that on this.

Keeping the Buckinghamshire fleet sharp is part of James’ broader strategy to reduce machinery downtime and ensure that his workshop is always empty and the machines are always ready. Investing in new equipment is crucial to this success, and for the next two decades at least, he is confident he can count on his Foley grinders.

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Thonock Park chooses Ventrac

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Thonock Park chooses Ventrac: Thonock Park, situated in the heart of the Lincolnshire countryside, is the home of two stunning 18-hole courses and the PING Academy, a multi-purpose coaching studio. They are the latest club to appreciate the benefits of Ventrac, purchasing a 4500 all-terrain compact tractor with a Contour deck and Turbine blower from Rotherham-based dealer, Russells.

Rob Acheson is the Course Manager and has been in the post for the past two years. He began his career at Hillsborough Golf Club, then spent 10 years at Wortley Golf Club followed by five years at Worksop before being appointed to his current role. He manages a team of 10 greenkeeping staff.

Thonock Park chooses Ventrac

Thonock Park chooses Ventrac

Commenting on the purchase of the Ventrac package he said,

“We wanted a machine that was versatile and value-for-money; a machine that could be used for multiple tasks and, if possible, operate in wet conditions.

“We contacted Russells and they suggested we have a look at the Ventrac. They came over for the demo on a very wet day, when even our fairway mower was struggling; in fact, it was stuck out on one of the courses! It was unbelievable, it worked brilliantly without causing any damage to the turf, and everyone was impressed. We placed the order shortly after the demo and it arrived a few weeks later.

“The Contour deck has a dual use; we maintain the semi-rough and around the bunker edges. It leaves a fantastic finish and the float of the outer cutting sections of the deck means we can get close to bunker edges without damaging the turf.

“The Turbine blower is a great piece of kit for clearing the autumnal fall on the Park course and for a small blower it easily rivals our tractor-mounted blower. It’s manoeuvrability and light weight allows it to get closer to the treeline providing more effective clearance.

“We recently hired in the Trencher attachment from Russells to create drainage bands on the fairway of the 4th hole on the Parks and it proved to be a really great asset. So much so, that we have now placed an order to buy one.”

General Manager Ben Hatch added,

“From a management perspective the Ventrac’s ability to operate on steep slopes up to 30 degrees and in seriously wet conditions, ensures that we can continue to maintain areas of the course in adverse weather and, most importantly, it allows the team to operate safely; a serious consideration when working on steep undulating terrain. Sometimes it’s the only machine we can get out of the shed during very wet weather.

“Overall, it ticks all of the boxes from a health and safety perspective and its versatility makes it excellent value for money. Rather than buying a dedicated mower to perform a single task, we have effectively purchased three machines for the price of one competitor machine. Financially, the numbers really stack up. It’s a great addition to our fleet.”

About the courses

After being played on for over 90 years, the Thonock Park course was revamped in 1985 by former Ryder cup player, Brian Waites. At 6223 yards (par 70), it is not the longest of courses but, with its tree-lined fairways, true greens and stunning views of the Lincolnshire countryside, it offers a great day’s golf for members and visitors alike.

Aptly named after Karsten Solheim, the founder of PING, the Karsten Lakes course was opened in 1997, after being crafted by legendary English golfer, Neil Coles. At 6900 yards (par 72) from the back tees, it offers a very different challenge to the Thonock Park course, with strategically placed bunkers and prominent lakes and water features on many holes providing a great test for all abilities.

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