Tag Archive for: Course

Course Manager

London Airlinks Golf Course

Course Manager

Course Manager

Full Time – Permanent

From £40k per annum

Following a £multi-million investment by Glendale Golf, we have an incredible opportunity for a Course Manager at London Airlinks Golf Course, West London.

Opening summer 2023, this is an exciting opportunity to lead a newly-formed team responsible for the final stages of growing-in and preparations for a brand new 18-hole golf course and next-generation Toptracer® Range.

Roles like this are few and far between, so here’s a chance to put your stamp on what will become one of London’s most popular golfing destinations.

London Airlinks Golf Course is located close to our flagship golf venue – Richmond Park Golf Course, so additional support and resources are close at hand.

The role reports to our Regional Course Manager.

Duties

  • Managing and delivering the maintenance and improvement plan for the golf course and amenity areas.
  • Managing budgets, finance and resources for your department
  • Recruitment, selection and training of staff.
  • Servicing, maintenance and safe operation of the machinery fleet and annual service contracts with external suppliers.
  • In-depth knowledge of sports turf management including pesticide and feed applications.
  • Maintenance and monitoring of irrigation and drainage systems.
  • An understanding of modern advances in materials, machinery and greenkeeping techniques.
  • Keeping up to date with all Health & Safety regulations and being able to complete risk assessments.
  • Carry out quality and maintenance audits to ensure we achieve KPI standards.

In addition to having the appropriate greenkeeping knowledge and skills for the position the successful candidate will demonstrate the following attributes :-

  • Enthusiastic individual who has an eye for detail.
  • Strong team player.
  • Excellent communication skills.
  • Ability to lead by example.
  • Open and honest.

The Person

  • Previous experience in a similar management role.
  • NVQ Level 2.
  • PA1, PA2, PA6.
  • Chainsaw Certificate (advantageous but not essential)

What can Glendale Golf offer you?

  • An attractive salary dependent on qualifications and experience
  • Company pension scheme
  • Membership to BIGGA
  • Staff uniform
  • Weekend working on a rota system
  • Free use of Glendale Golf Courses, free gym membership for you and a nominated person / Employee discount portal / Company sick pay / career progression and more.

How to Apply

If you feel like you’d be successful in this role or are interested to know more, we’d love to hear from you. Please apply with a letter of application and CV to recruitment@parkwood-holdings.co.uk

Closing Date

31/03/23

Glendale Golf is part of the Parkwood Group and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity.

If you are interested in applying for this role, we suggest that you do so at the earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment as interviews will be held throughout the process. Please note that if you have not received correspondence within 21 days then please assume your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Major coup for JCB Golf Course

Major coup for JCB Golf Course: A major tour event is set to make a welcome return to the prestigious JCB Golf and Country Club after the resounding success of its inaugural visit.

The first JCB Championship was staged at the Club this year as part of the Legends Tour’s international schedule, and some of the best-known names in golf competed for £600,000 in prize money. Today organisers confirmed that the event would be returning to the Rocester course in 2023 with a prize fund of £750,000 – the largest on the Legends Tour schedule outside of the Senior Open Championship. The JCB Championship is due to place from August 3rd to 5th 2023.

Major coup for JCB Golf Course

Major coup for JCB Golf Course

2022 Senior Open Champion Darren Clarke will once again host the event, with the Club bidding to attract a star-studded field. Among other big names already signed up to play are Alex Cejka, who won the 2022 Championship, Retief Goosen, Thongchai Jaidee, John Daly and Colin Montgomerie .

JCB CEO Graeme Macdonald: “We are thrilled to be hosting the JCB Championship for the second consecutive year. Last year’s event was a resounding success and with Darren Clarke hosting the occasion again, we aim to make the 2023 JCB Championship even bigger and better.”

Legends Tour Chief Executive Officer Phil Harrison said: “We are delighted to be returning to the JCB Golf & Country Club in 2023. The JCB Championship will undoubtedly attract some of the game’s biggest stars including Tour winners, Major winners, Ryder Cup stars and Hall of Famers.”

Darren Clarke said: “I was extremely proud to host The JCB Championship last year for what was a truly fantastic event. The JCB Golf & Country Club is a great venue, and we had such a great field in 2022 with so many former Major champions and legends of the game taking part.    I am really looking forward to returning in 2023 as host.”

More than 8,000 spectators attended the JCB Championship over three days, enjoying the action on a stunning course which is set in some of Staffordshire’s most beautiful countryside.  The prestigious Staffordshire club – the brainchild of JCB Chairman Anthony Bamford – has also successfully been a host venue for the Rose Ladies Series in both 2020 and 2021

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New course manager at The Grove

New course manager at The Grove: The Grove today, in its 20th anniversary year, announced the important appointment of William Evans as its new Golf Course & Estates Manager.

William returns to The Grove for a second time – he was previously Head Greenkeeper between 2008 and 2011 – to lead the award-winning agronomy and gardens teams at the five-star, luxury Hertfordshire estate that features a Kyle Phillips designed championship golf course.

New course manager at The Grove

New course manager at The Grove

Over the past six years, William has enjoyed a highly-successful period in Bahrain as Director of Agronomy at the Troon International-managed Royal Golf Club. In his time in the Middle East, he was recognised as 59club’s International Greenkeeper of the Year on two occasions.

Brad Gould, Director of Golf at The Grove, commented: “William is a dedicated and highly motivated turf manager, and proven leader of people, and we are thrilled to have him back at The Grove.

“His industry experience and goal-focused approach to his work will be of huge benefit to our operations and he will undoubtedly help us to further enhance and develop what is an already exceptional, award-winning product.”

The Grove boasts one of the finest golf experiences in the UK thanks to its Top 100-ranked golf course and impeccable customer service. It also recently announced a host of investments in its golf experience that will be completed for its celebratory 2023 season.

These include an extension to the much-loved Stables Bar, enhancements to the outdoor terrace and courtyard, and significant renovations to the Locker Rooms, Stables toilets and Halfway House.

The Grove is also one of the first venues in Europe to unveil a grass-tee TrackMan Range solution on its practice facility, and is set to become the first venue in Europe to offer golf cars with music when a new fleet of high-spec Club Car vehicles, complete with Bluetooth speakers, is delivered.

On re-joining The Grove, William Evans said: “I relish the opportunity to manage such a vital part of The Grove’s business and I know I will be blessed with a truly fantastic team around me to reach even greater heights. One of The Grove’s USPs is the year-round pristine conditioning of its golf course and this will continue to be a key objective as we move forwards.”

Situated 18 miles from central London, The Grove is the only venue in the UK to have hosted a World Golf Championship (WGC) event – won by Tiger Woods in 2006. It also hosted The British Masters in 2016.

Beyond its pristine fairways and greens, The Grove’s 18th-century Mansion houses 25 rooms and suites as well as the uniquely-designed Lounges. There is also the thoroughly modern West Wing with a further 189 deluxe, superior and family rooms. Many of these rooms have balconies and terraces looking over immaculate formal gardens.

For further information: www.thegrove.co.uk

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Course chooses John Deere for fleet upgrade

Course chooses John Deere for fleet upgrade: One of the finest golf courses in the UK has made a significant investment in its future with the purchase of a fleet of machines to support the greenkeeping team.

Trevose Golf and Country Club, near Padstow in Cornwall, is currently 66th in the coveted top 100 rankings and prides itself on the presentation and playability of the par-72 Championship links, nine-hole Peter Aliss designed Headland course, and neighbouring nine-hole Short Course.

Course chooses John Deere for fleet upgrade

Course chooses John Deere for fleet upgrade

Course Manager, Neil Ivamy, and his staff are responsible for maintaining the high standards set at the club, which has a rich history since being founded in 1925.

That includes ensuring his greenkeepers have the best tools at their disposal, and a recent deal struck with John Deere dealer Masons Kings has seen a new fleet of 10 machines including mowers, utility vehicles and a compact tractor which have been added to the club’s machinery shed.

The new kit represents a change of manufacturer for Neil’s team, but he says they are very happy with their decision.

“It has always been important to us to use the best machinery and equipment for our course,” Neil said.

“We chose the John Deere range as it was a proven and high-quality product and we have received excellent support – not just through the purchase process, but also through their proactiveness and machinery training.

“Having a local dealer and support staff who are always available to help us with any questions or queries has been invaluable and the service team has been excellent in providing any product support requirements.

“The feedback we have been getting from players and staff has been excellent and having a local dealer that supports us like Masons Kings have has been fantastic in our transition to John Deere.”

Trevose’s team now runs a 9009A wide area mower, a 4066R compact tractor, a TS Gator and three HPX-815E Gators. The club’s greens and tees are now cut with four 2750E E-cut triplex mowers.

Sean Williams, Assistant Greenkeeper and the man with the responsibility for machinery maintenance, said he is happy with the move to John Deere kit.

He said: “The functionality of the machines, such as setting up the cylinders and future maintenance, is easy and has saved me hours of time. You can use the tech control system to set the same quality of cut, regardless of operator.”

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Gleneagles enhances the King’s course

Gleneagles enhances the King’s course: Gleneagles, the iconic Scottish hotel and global luxury destination, has completed important enhancements to its world-renowned King’s Course, in preparation for welcoming icons of the game to compete in the Senior Open Presented by Rolex, July 21-24.

The 103-year-old James Braid-designed inland links style course, a regular feature of many Top 100 rankings lists, is critically acclaimed as one of his architectural masterpieces.

Gleneagles enhances the King's course

Gleneagles enhances the King’s course

In 1921 it was also the venue of the first ever match between Britain and USA Professionals, in what has been widely accepted today as a precursor to The Ryder Cup.

The course also famously hosted a match between the ‘Big Three’ of Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player in 1966, as well as the popular Bell’s Scottish Open from 1987-1994, the largest spectator event after The Open at the time.

Next month’s Senior Open Presented by Rolex will welcome a host of golfing legends to ‘The Glorious Playground’, including two-time Open Champion and 2022 US Senior Open Champion, Padraig Harrington (playing in his first Senior Open), his fellow double Open Champion Ernie Els, as well as Darren Clarke, Tom Lehman and Scotland’s Sandy Lyle.

The King’s Course underwent extensive restoration in 2016, which included taking the fairway cut lines back to the original James Braid design, alongside a comprehensive bunker refurbishment programme, to further enhance the aesthetic design of all 18 holes.

To coincide with the staging of the Senior Open Presented by Rolex, the following key changes have been made to five holes on The King’s Course:

Hole 7 – Kittle Kink

A new tee has been built at the back of the 6th green that significantly increases the length of the hole. Not only does the length add difficulty but, more importantly, it changes the angle from the tee so that it plays as a more severe dog-leg. It’s now much harder to ‘cut the corner’ off the tee shot, which results in adding length to the approach shot and ultimately making this one the most challenging holes on the course. The hole will change from 444 yards to 468 yards – an increase in length of 24 yards.

Hole 8 – Whaup’s Nest

The existing Championship tee has been extended back and to the left to help open up sight of the right side of the green, allowing a greater variety of teeing positions. Club selection will be key for this narrow green.

Hole 12 – Tappit Hen

A new tee has been built and positioned approximately 30 yards back into an existing copse of trees that provides a wonderfully framed ‘shoot’ for a challenging tee shot that now requires a solid carry over the bunkers that guard the saddle. The hole will change from 442 yards to 475 yards – an increase in length of 33 yards (see attached video flyover).

Hole 14 – Dent Den
A new tee has been built that adds 40 yards to the tee shot, allowing the hole to retain the risk and reward element of a reachable par-4. The added challenge is in the need for a more robust tee shot to carry the ridge of bunkers. The hole will change from 309 yards to 341 yards – an increase in length of 32 yards.

Hole 16 – Wee Bogle
The existing Championship tee has been lowered slightly, extended back and to the left to help open up sight of the entirety of the green, particularly to allow for a back right pin position.

Other notable changes from past championships will be a greater emphasis on tightly mown surfaces around greens complexes and fairway bunkers, to fully embrace the natural contours of the course.

Conor O’Leary, Managing Director of Gleneagles, commented: “Gleneagles’ reputation as a sporting estate has flourished for a century, with golf and The King’s Course at the very heart of that rich history. While our modern classic, The PGA Centenary Course designed by Jack Nicklaus, has hosted iconic Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup matches, we are so proud to welcome legends of the game back to The King’s, where golf started at Gleneagles all those years ago.

“The sympathetic course changes we have made recognise the way the modern game has evolved, but still retain The King’s Course’s numerous strategic challenges that have made this timeless classic so revered the world over.”

Gleneagles remains the only venue in Europe to have staged both The Ryder Cup (2014) and The Solheim Cup (2019). The 850-acre Perthshire estate is also currently ranked #2 in the Top 100

World Golf Resorts ranking, published by Golf World.

Tickets for the 2022 Senior Open Presented by Rolex can be purchased, HERE

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Clean fun on the course

Clean fun on the course: KAASPEED is a new and unique mode of transport for UK golfers. An electric, lightweight, self-balancing, wide-wheeled scooter that provides a new and exciting way to traverse the course and is brought to the UK by Reesink e-Vehicles.

With all clubs worth their salt considering how to entice generation Z and more millennials to the course – and retain their custom – KAASPEED scooters could be just the ticket. They’re fun, different and a talking point for any club.

Clean fun on the course

Clean fun on the course

Dave French, sales manager for Reesink e-Vehicles, says: “Golf managers are facing up to the reality that they need to be more inclusive and attract the younger generation to the sport. KAASPEED is one way to do that. They provide a different aspect to the game, a fun way to get from hole to hole. Plus, as a solo drive, this speeds things up – no veering off for your partner’s golf ball in the opposite direction to yours – and means more games in the same amount of time, bringing sure-fire appeal to this generation.”

Not just that though, at a fraction of the cost of a new buggy, KAASPEED scooters are a cost-effective transport solution, especially as little maintenance is required. The frame is the only one of its kind on the market, encasing all the cables and made from aircraft-grade strong aluminium, yet it’s surprisingly light, weighing only 45kgs.

The car-grade LG cell lithium-ion battery is low-profile, cleverly stowed in the footrest. It’s long-lasting with a long range – a maximum of 31 miles; high performance including top speed of 28mph – which can be limited, and a smart battery management system featuring temperature resistance. And the motor is highly efficient with more torque for maximum hill climbing capacity.

Golf clubs can order KAASPEED scooters pre-configured for their members to hire or buy, with a radius front tyre and a solid tyre wall on the rear, which provides the unique self-balancing profile. Dave expands: “This provides convenience as users hop-on hop-off navigating the course, but also means their golf bag on the back always remains secure and upright. With four stock colours and up to 10 special colours with 14 accessories to choose from, KAASPEED scooters offer great customisation for clubs to offer a unique and fun rental option for their members and guests.”

In addition to the golf scooter setup, KAASPEED also provide configurations for use off road and on, with the choice of two types of tyre – the Scorpion tyre offers excellent traction for woodland and sandy surfaces, while the standard plain tread tyres are perfect for flat ground with turf protection.

Dave concludes: “The trend for electric on the course shows no signs of abating, and rightly so. The course is nature’s playground for golfers and it seems counterintuitive to pollute that with the noise and fumes of diesel transportation.”

KAASPEED scooters join STAR EV’s range of award-winning lithium and sealed battery-powered utility vehicles and golf buggies under the Reesink e-Vehicles brand. To find out more, visit reesink-evehicles.co.uk or call 01480 226800.

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Bury St Edmunds on course with Toro

Bury St Edmunds on course with Toro: Bury St Edmunds Golf Club in Suffolk is approaching its centenary and has enlisted the help of Toro and Reesink Turfcare to ensure the courses are in an immaculate condition in time for the celebrations.

Both the 18-hole championship course, host to many prestigious events over the decades, and the nine-hole Pay-and-Play course needed to be kept in the highest standard all-year round, but special care was required now for such a notable occasion.

Bury St Edmunds on course with Toro

Bury St Edmunds on course with Toro

Course manager Tom Smart, who manages the nine-strong greenkeeping team on site, was already familiar with Toro and knew only it could do the job he required.

“It has always been my preferred manufacturer and given the choice, I’d always go for Toro,” he explains. “I’ve used many Toro machines in the past and was never let down. The ones we got from Reesink were all bought for specific purposes, and each has a role to play in producing the highest standards possible on the courses. Everyone can already see the difference these machines have made on the course, and we couldn’t be more pleased.”

Having been let down by previous manufacturers and with such an important date coming up, no risks could be taken. So, the club opted for Reesink’s five-year finance package deal, and invested in four Greensmaster TriFlex Hybrid 3420 riding greensmowers, two Reelmaster 3575-D fairway mowers, a Groundsmaster 3500-D rotary mower, a Groundsmaster 4500-D rotary mower, a Multi Pro 5800-D sprayer and a ProCore 648 pedestrian aerator for the ultimate peace of mind.

“I find Toro machines are more reliable than others in the market and have better build quality,” Tom continues. “We had a lot of issues with bits of kit from other brands, even with new machines, which weren’t quite right in the first place. This pushed us away from our previous manufacturers and made us turn to Toro and Reesink.

“Reesink has been very good during the whole process,” he says. “They are just down the road from us, so it makes it quite easy. When we had some very minor settling in issues with a couple of the machines, which was nothing out of the ordinary, Reesink East Anglia were quick to come as soon as we called them and it was all covered under the Toro comprehensive warranty.”

Not only was it important to have the best performing machines to withstand the pressure and demands of such a vital job under deadline, but also to make sure the team was happy while operating and maintaining them.

“The comfort Toro provides was a massive factor for us as well,” Tom explains. “When you’re using a machine for up to eight hours a day, operator comfort is vital. And the usability is just unbeatable – they are very user-friendly. Having an almost all-Toro fleet now has greatly helped our mechanic too, as parts can be interchanged and the machines are much easier to service and maintain.”

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

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Presenting a picture-perfect course

Presenting a picture-perfect course: At Killarney Golf and Fishing Club, presentation is everything.

With breathtaking views out over Lough Leane and the undulating Killarney National Park beyond, players come from all over the world to experience the two, 18-hole Killeen and Mahony’s Point courses.

Presenting a picture-perfect course

Presenting a picture-perfect course

It’s a club steeped in 129 years of history which includes hosting the Irish Open four times, with Nick Faldo winning in 1991 and 1992, Ross Fisher in 2010, and Simon Dyson in 2011.

With such rich heritage and high expectations, the greenkeeping team has to maintain the highest possible standards to satisfy the 500-plus golfers who could arrive to play at the complex during its busiest days of the year.

Enda Murphy is in charge of the 18-strong team responsible for presenting the course. He’s in his 30th year working at the club after joining as an apprentice from school.

“I completed a four-year apprenticeship in Killarney and then worked a year at Wayzata Country Club near Minneapolis in the States,” he explained.

“It was wealthy club with 28 greenkeepers for one 18-hole course, but what struck me was how neat and tidy the whole place was. The machinery sheds were immaculate – everything was organised and every machine had its place with a back-up machine in reserve too.

“I thought the whole attention to detail was amazing and something I wanted to bring back to Killarney.”

Enda became head greenkeeper in 2013 and takes immense pride in setting up a course which will live up to members’ and visitors’ expectations.

“It’s all about the location here – when you’re out on the course on a beautiful spring morning there is no better place,” he said. “When every hole is neat, tidy and looking sharp, that’s what it all about and what we strive to achieve.”

Being such a popular destination for visiting players while keeping the large playing membership happy is not without its challenges.

Enda says he has 1.7 metres of annual rainfall, a herd of 40 Irish Red Deer, and a constant procession of players to contend with, plus the environmental responsibility of maintaining a course so close to the iconic Irish lakes.

“We have a high level of play which creates compaction, wear and tear, he said. “Having lots of rain on a busy course is also a challenge but we have to keep golfers happy – we have strong competition from the other fantastic courses in Ireland.”

 

Last year Killarney’s members’ council – with the support of the membership – put pen to paper on a new fleet deal to replace its aging mowers and other course machinery.

“It came to a point last summer when greens mowers were breaking down on the morning of a competition, and the back-up machines were cutting tees because the tees mowers had broken,” Enda said.

“We were working on fairway mowers that were 10 or 15 years old and the repairs were starting to cost more than what the machines were worth, so a change was definitely needed.”

Enda and his team are familiar with a number of brands and researched prices and specifications as part of the purchasing process, but decided to stay loyal to John Deere as their mowers and utility vehicles had served the course well for a long time.

For cutting they purchased two new 7700A fairway mowers with rear roller power brushes, two 2750E hybrid greens mowers with tender conditioners and 14-blade reels, and two 2750PC mowers for tees and surrounds. The club also took a new 1570 front rotary mower with 72-inch deck and a 9009A for tackling the rough.

For full course maintenance the new fleet also included a 2030A with ARC HD200 sprayer, three TS Gators and a 4066R compact tractor.

“A big factor in the decision was that we have a dealer on the doorstep in Seamus Weldon so parts, sales and servicing is right here which is really convenient,” Enda said.

“They are good machines but if something goes wrong I can get a new part in 10 mins and get the machine back up and running in no time. That’s really important for us here on a busy course where we need to get the job done and be out of the way so golfers can enjoy their game.”

So far Enda is delighted with the new fleet – purchased using John Deere Finance – and so is his team.

“When you’re going out and everything is working it’s just a pleasure to do the job. The team gets frustrated when something takes too long and things break down – we’re just trying to get everything done to a high standard and then move on as quickly as possible.

“You can really notice the difference in the quality of cut and the reliability of the new machines. We now want to get into a rhythm of replacing them every five years, ideally.

“Bookings for the summer are looking really strong so it’s going to be another busy year as we, hopefully, come out of covid and look forward to welcoming players to Killarney.”

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Picture-perfect course at Killarney

Picture-perfect course at Killarney: At Killarney Golf and Fishing Club, presentation is everything.

With breathtaking views out over Lough Leane and the undulating Killarney National Park beyond, players come from all over the world to experience the two, 18-hole Killeen and Mahony’s Point courses.

Picture-perfect course at Killarney

Picture-perfect course at Killarney

It’s a club steeped in 129 years of history which includes hosting the Irish Open four times, with Nick Faldo winning in 1991 and 1992, Ross Fisher in 2010, and Simon Dyson in 2011.

With such rich heritage and high expectations, the greenkeeping team has to maintain the highest possible standards to satisfy the 500-plus golfers who could arrive to play at the complex during its busiest days of the year.

Enda Murphy is in charge of the 18-strong team responsible for presenting the course. He’s in his 30th year working at the club after joining as an apprentice from school.

“I completed a four-year apprenticeship in Killarney and then worked a year at Wayzata Country Club near Minneapolis in the States,” he explained.

“It was wealthy club with 28 greenkeepers for one 18-hole course, but what struck me was how neat and tidy the whole place was. The machinery sheds were immaculate – everything was organised and every machine had its place with a back-up machine in reserve too.

“I thought the whole attention to detail was amazing and something I wanted to bring back to Killarney.”

Enda became head greenkeeper in 2013 and takes immense pride in setting up a course which will live up to members’ and visitors’ expectations.

“It’s all about the location here – when you’re out on the course on a beautiful spring morning there is no better place,” he said. “When every hole is neat, tidy and looking sharp, that’s what it all about and what we strive to achieve.”

Being such a popular destination for visiting players while keeping the large playing membership happy is not without its challenges.

Enda says he has 1.7 metres of annual rainfall, a herd of 40 Irish Red Deer, and a constant procession of players to contend with, plus the environmental responsibility of maintaining a course so close to the iconic Irish lakes.

“We have a high level of play which creates compaction, wear and tear, he said. “Having lots of rain on a busy course is also a challenge but we have to keep golfers happy – we have strong competition from the other fantastic courses in Ireland.”

Last year Killarney’s members’ council – with the support of the membership – put pen to paper on a new fleet deal to replace its aging mowers and other course machinery.

“It came to a point last summer when greens mowers were breaking down on the morning of a competition, and the back-up machines were cutting tees because the tees mowers had broken,” Enda said.

“We were working on fairway mowers that were 10 or 15 years old and the repairs were starting to cost more than what the machines were worth, so a change was definitely needed.”

Enda and his team are familiar with a number of brands and researched prices and specifications as part of the purchasing process, but decided to stay loyal to John Deere as their mowers and utility vehicles had served the course well for a long time.

For cutting they purchased two new 7700A fairway mowers with rear roller power brushes, two 2750E hybrid greens mowers with tender conditioners and 14-blade reels, and two 2750PC mowers for tees and surrounds. The club also took a new 1570 front rotary mower with 72-inch deck and a 9009A for tackling the rough.

For full course maintenance the new fleet also included a 2030A with ARC HD200 sprayer, three TS Gators and a 4066R compact tractor.

“A big factor in the decision was that we have a dealer on the doorstep in Seamus Weldon so parts, sales and servicing is right here which is really convenient,” Enda said.

“They are good machines but if something goes wrong I can get a new part in 10 mins and get the machine back up and running in no time. That’s really important for us here on a busy course where we need to get the job done and be out of the way so golfers can enjoy their game.”

So far Enda is delighted with the new fleet – purchased using John Deere Finance – and so is his team.

“When you’re going out and everything is working it’s just a pleasure to do the job. The team gets frustrated when something takes too long and things break down – we’re just trying to get everything done to a high standard and then move on as quickly as possible.

“You can really notice the difference in the quality of cut and the reliability of the new machines. We now want to get into a rhythm of replacing them every five years, ideally.

“Bookings for the summer are looking really strong so it’s going to be another busy year as we, hopefully, come out of covid and look forward to welcoming players to Killarney.”

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

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Bring your course to life with Otterbine

Bring your course to life with Otterbine: With Otterbine’s Fountain Glo™ colour changing lights there is no need for the lights to go out when the sun goes down.

Otterbine fountains are renowned for being multifunctional tools, ensuring not only a centrepiece for your lake and pond during the day, but also, most importantly, for ensuring clean, clear water. Now, these sets bring even more value to your investment by ensuring your fountain commands attention at night too.

Bring your course to life with Otterbine

Bring your course to life with Otterbine

Designed to give rich vibrant light to accentuate any fountain pattern from 0.5 to 25hp with a variety of coloured displays and sequences, Otterbine’s RGBW lights take your venue from day to night in style.

The perfect addition for resort-style golf clubs and those with hotels and a focus on events, this simple addition provides a stunning light display to create an enchanting evening atmosphere.

The quality of Otterbine is widely regarded to be market-leading and these lighting systems are no different. All are manufactured from corrosion resistant materials and feature energy-efficient LED lamps to deliver years of service without the need to change bulbs. All lights come complete with a two or three year warranty.

Available are a standard LED low voltage light system or a choice of colour changing and sequencing systems: the Mini and Midi sets come with a handheld remote to select pre-programmed sequences and the Maxi set has the ability to create custom sequences.

Simon Powell, Otterbine’s business development manager at Reesink Turfcare, distributor of Otterbine, says: “It would be quite easy for those with an Otterbine fountain to think it’s fantastic as it is – and it is! Healthy water attracting wildlife and bringing beauty to an otherwise still area of water. But that would be denying it its full capabilities; the fountain lighting enchancing displays bring your course to life in another way and creates an after-dark atmosphere like no other, which is an especially appealing proposition for weddings and events with colour co-ordinated themes.”

To find out more about the Otterbine Fountain Glo™ colour changing lights, contact Reesink on 01480 226800, email info@reesinkturfcare.co.uk or visit reesinkturfcare.co.uk

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