Tag Archive for: Invests

Tobermory Golf Club invests in new Jacobsen equipment

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Tobermory Golf Club invests in new Jacobsen equipment:  An island golf club with just 70 members has made a major investment to safeguard the condition of its much-loved nine-hole course. Tobermory Golf Club, a longstanding community hub on Mull, has purchased a new Jacobsen PGM 22 pedestrian greens mower and a caddy trailer to help its small volunteer-led team manage the steep hilltop layout.

The machines were sourced through Jacobsen’s Scottish dealer, Fairways GM at Inchinnan.

Tobermory Golf Club invests in new Jacobsen equipment

Tobermory Golf Club invests in new Jacobsen equipment

The investment comes as Greens Convener John Wilshire approaches a remarkable milestone — next May marks 50 years of working association with the club. Now semi-retired and working around 15 hours a week, he coordinates a small multi-skilled team who each contribute part-time hours to course upkeep.

“Our course sits on a hilltop and drains incredibly quickly, even after really heavy rain,” John Wilshire said. “Now we’re in mid-November, we’re cutting maybe twice a week at most, but in summer the workload is much higher.”

Multiple jobs are a way of life in Tobermory, and the greens team reflects that.

“Most of our greens mowing is done by one of our team who is also the local baker,” he added. “He’s in the bakery from 4.30am to 8.30am, then comes up to cut the greens. In summer that can be four or five times a week; at this time of year it’s about twice as the growth tails off.”

The PGM 22 will be used exclusively on the greens and supported by the club’s existing tees mower. The older greens mower remains as a backup, while a 20-year-old Jacobsen is still used after sanding to protect newer kit from abrasive conditions.

Fairways GM’s Area Sales Manager, Stuart Cameron demonstrated and delivered the new PGM 22 and caddy trailer, ensuring the team were confident with the setup ahead of next season.

The Jacobsen combination is expected to make day-to-day work on the slopes much easier when the 2026 cutting season begins.

“The new trailer makes it much simpler for anyone cutting the greens to load and unload the mower,” said John Wilshire. “Our previous trailer was higher and far less convenient — this one is like a little caddy.”

When the club later needed help, Service Manager Stewart Mulholland stepped in without delay.

“Service Manager Stewart Mulholland came over to the island to assist us,” John Wilshire said. “He cleared up a bit of confusion with the bottom blade and took us through the correct procedures.”

Still serving as Greens Convener, Club President and clubhouse caretaker, John has now stepped back from full-time duties. “I used to look after the whole course myself, but after reaching retirement age I now just do bits and pieces.”

Tobermory Golf Club continues to welcome members, visitors and golfers from around the world, drawn by its dramatic views over the Sound of Mull and its friendly welcome.

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Hibernian FC Invests in Redexim Verti-Rake

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Hibernian FC Invests in Redexim Verti-Rake: Maintaining a top-class playing surface at Easter Road Stadium is no small task, but for Steven Thomas, Head Groundsman at Hibernian Football Club, having the right machinery is making all the difference. One of the latest additions to his maintenance fleet is the Redexim Verti-Rake – a tool he says is already proving invaluable.

“We’ve had the Verti-Rake for a few months now,” Steven explained. “For us, it was about maintaining the highest standard of turf possible. We were looking for an attachment that could rake the surface, keep our hybrid stitch clean, and clear out organic matter. Having looked at a few options, we felt the Verti-Rake was the best choice. It’s simple to use, easy to set up, and does exactly what we need.”

Hibernian FC Invests in Redexim Verti-Rake

Hibernian FC Invests in Redexim Verti-Rake

The Redexim Verti-Rake is designed for fast and effective thatch removal. Its spring tines work between the grass blades to loosen thatch, while adjustable tine angles allow operators to alter the aggression of the rake. Working depth can also be fine-tuned for perfect results. As well as helping to clean surfaces, the Verti-Rake can be used to create a seed bed ahead of overseeding.

Steven and his assistant Ronan use the rake regularly. “We tend to use it after every game,” he said. “It’s great for raking out organic matter and keeping the hybrid stitch upright. But it’s also weather dependent – we’ll assess the conditions and decide if it’s needed. What’s been clear so far is that every time we’ve used it, it’s easy to set up, easy to manoeuvre, and leaves the surface clean.”

He adds that the machine also has benefits for playability. “Earlier in the season, we felt the surface was maybe too dense for ball movement and traction. Once we put the rake through, followed by a rotary cut to tidy debris, you’d almost not know we’d been on the pitch. It leaves minimal disruption and keeps the surface playing really well.”

Ease of operation is a standout feature for Steven. “For me, the key feature is how easy it is to set up. It’s literally just a case of attaching it to the three-point linkage on the tractor and using the side levers to adjust the depth. It’s quick, simple, and effective.”

Steven also believes it is an exciting time for the Redexim brand right now. “I think they’re making a bit of a wave just now with new machinery. There’s a lot of innovation coming through, and we’ve had good support from Allen Whellans at Redexim too – he has always been on hand and supportive.”

Hibernian FC Invests in Redexim Verti-Rake

Hibernian FC Invests in Redexim Verti-Rake

The Verti-Rake now sits alongside other Redexim equipment in Steven’s fleet, and he sees clear benefits in how they complement each other. “As well as the Verti-Rake, we have a Verti-Drain, and they can work side by side. One can be raking while the other is aerating – they’re very much multipurpose and help us get the most from our maintenance programme.”

He also credits Hibernian FC for investing in the tools to allow his team to achieve high standards. “Over the last two years, the club has made a big investment in machinery, which gives us an advantage in producing the pitch we want. When I first joined, there were just two of us and limited resources. The progression since then has been massive. People rightly give credit to the groundstaff, but the club deserves huge credit too for backing us with the tools we need.”

With the Redexim Verti-Rake now firmly embedded in their maintenance regime, Steven and his team are well-equipped to keep Easter Road’s playing surface clean, healthy, and ready for action.

For more information, visit https://www.redexim.com/uk/

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Bedford School Invests in Groundbreaking RM21

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Bedford School Invests in Groundbreaking RM21: Bedford School has taken delivery of the revolutionary RM21 Combo Mower, marking a new chapter in sports surface maintenance at the prestigious independent school.

The RM21 Combo Mower – now available in the UK and Ireland through an exclusive partnership between Agrovista Amenity and XDC Autonomous Solutions – is a cutting-edge machine that combines line marking and mowing in a single autonomous unit. Unlike traditional robotic line markers or standalone mowers, the RM21 brings genuine multi-functionality to turf management, saving time and boosting productivity.

Bedford School Invests in Groundbreaking RM21

Bedford School Invests in Groundbreaking RM21

“We’re the new proud owner of the RM21,” says the school’s Head Groundsman George Mills. “For us, it’s the line marking capability that was the biggest selling point – but the fact that we’ve also got the mowing function gives us added flexibility, particularly during the wetter months when our pitches can be difficult to access with heavier equipment. We’ve even thought about using it on the lawns in summer to free up the gardeners for other jobs.”

Thanks to its modular design, the RM21 doesn’t just cut and mark. A growing range of interchangeable attachments – including a grass collector, automated dew brush and ball picker – make it a versatile, all-season solution. The school also plans to use the robot to mark running tracks, cricket boundaries, rugby and football pitches, tennis courts, and hockey fields across its sprawling grounds and neighbouring training facilities.

The RM21 is exclusively distributed in the UK and Ireland by XDC Autonomous Solutions, who also provide technical support, training, and service backup. Through a strategic collaboration, Agrovista Amenity has become the exclusive sales distributor – a move that proved pivotal for Bedford School.

“Honestly, what made my mind up was Agrovista becoming part of the fold. Having someone I know and trust – someone I can go to if there’s an issue – gave me the confidence to purchase outright rather than go down a lease route,” George explains. “They know I’m a good customer, and I know Agrovista Amenity will always be there if I need them.”

Agrovista’s national network of over 40 experienced representatives ensures the RM21 is well supported and promoted across the UK, while XDC’s technical expertise guarantees high-quality backup and training for users.

For George, the RM21 represents far more than a piece of kit. It’s another tool in the box from a supplier that’s become a trusted, all-encompassing resource.

“Agrovista have pretty much become a one-stop shop for us. Fertilisers, seed, sprinklers, fittings, hose pipes, robots – anything we need in our industry, they’ve got it. That’s a big advantage. It saves me time, reduces admin, and means I can spend more time doing what I enjoy – being out on the grounds, not stuck behind a desk.”

With sustainability also front of mind, the school is already exploring the wider benefits of battery-powered equipment across its estate. The RM21 fits well into that vision.

“We’re starting to look seriously at battery options across the board,” continues George.

“This robot is another step in that direction. It’s efficient, flexible and ultimately gives us time back to focus on detail and quality.”

As robotic technology continues to reshape the landscape of grounds management, the RM21 Combo Mower – backed by Agrovista Amenity and XDC – looks set to lead the charge.

For more information about Agrovista UK, visit www.agrovista.co.uk/amenity

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First club in UK invests in Toro robotic mowing

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First club in UK invests in Toro robotic mowing: Thonock Park in Lincolnshire is the first club in the UK to invest in Toro’s Turf Pro autonomous mowers.

Having made the decision to move to autonomous mowing at the beginning of the year, the club was introduced to Toro’s new Turf Pro mowers at the BTME launch and has subsequently purchased five from local Toro dealer, Russells Groundcare.

First club in UK invests in Toro robotic mowing

First club in UK invests in Toro robotic mowing

The five Turf Pro 500 mowers are being used to cut both fairways and rough of 18 of the club’s 36 holes. According to General Manager Benjamin Hatch: “Our robot mowers are now cutting the fairways and rough for 18 holes on the Thonock Park course, and we are exceptionally pleased with their quality of cut and the definition between fairway and rough grasses.”

Thonock Park and Russells have had two comprehensive training sessions post-install from Lee Rowbotham, GeoLink and Digital Specialist at Reesink UK.

Lee explains the process: “We were there at the point of delivery to install the chargers and base station. The mowers are blind out of the box, so training involves telling them everything they need to know, like where the charging station is, the route to the fairways, what the safe areas, and not safe areas are. And of course, for the team to understand the operation and the terminology involved.”

Once set up, Course Manager Rob Acheson was shown how to control all five mowers through the Smart App. Operation is something Lee likens to how irrigation sprinklers are controlled.

“They are controlled individually, one at a time, and can be set up in advance,” he says. “Just like you can set a sprinkler to come on at 5am, you can set the Turf Pros to start mowing at 10pm once everyone has gone home if you wish.”

This provides a big advantage in getting course maintenance ahead of play. All fairway mowing can be completed before the course opens, supported by “the almost non-existent noise levels” as confirmed by Benjamin.

Another added benefit of these mowers comes from how the club has been able to redefine the job requirements of the team and can guarantee all-year round value.

“Very importantly, these mowers have enabled us to reassign some of our skilled greenkeeping team to other tasks on the course that require more specialist work,” Benjamin says. “During the wetter months, we expect to keep using these mowers, when ordinarily we would struggle to use the much heavier diesel machines. All in all, it has been a very positive investment for us and one that we believe we will continue to benefit from year after year.”

Just as Reesink sees the value in providing dedicated support for this new technology with the new digital specialist role created for Lee, so too do Russells who have recruited two dedicated employees to demonstrate and install Russells’ autonomous mowing offerings to customers, including private properties, estates, schools, golf courses and other sporting venues.

Mark Willerton, Groundcare Sales Manager at Russells, says: “Russells see autonomous mowers as an important part of our future business, it’s something we’re investing heavily in with dedicated specialist staff and demonstration machines.

“Working alongside Thonock Park and Reesink to understand this next generation of mowing and how to maximise the potential and efficiency of the mowers has been a great learning experience. We look forward to continuing working with the team at Thonock Park to ensure they always have the best turfcare options available.”

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Deer Park Golf Club invests in Eco 400 Sprayer

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Deer Park Golf Club invests in Eco 400 Sprayer: Deer Park Golf Club in Livingston has upgraded its course maintenance equipment with the addition of a Cleveland Gambetti Eco 400 tractor-mounted sprayer, supplied by Fairways GM at Kinross.

The Eco 400, part of the British-made Eco range, is designed specifically for golf and amenity use and replaces the club’s previous Gambetti sprayer, which had served for 12 years. Head greenkeeper Mark Campbell continued with the 400-litre tank but opted for the extended booms, blotter, and triple nozzle setup.

Deer Park Golf Club invests in Eco 400 Sprayer

Deer Park Golf Club invests in Eco 400 Sprayer

“We spend on average 20 hours a month spraying, so the extended booms will pay for themselves with the time they help us save,” said Mark Campbell.

The new configuration has virtually tripled the coverage capacity while offering greater control and precision. With 50% less pipework, stainless-steel spray lines, and balanced manual controls, the sprayer delivers accurate application and faster clean-down times.

Mark and his colleague, Martin McKenzie, both hold spraying certificates at Deer Park, ensuring precise and efficient use of the new system.

“Spraying is less stressful now and much faster,” added Mark Campbell. “We can spray confidently, knowing everything works perfectly without clogging. The improvements in consistency were noticeable straight away, and the time saved allows us to focus on other tasks.”

The new sprayer is being used across the entire course, from weekly treatments on greens to summer fairway applications and targeted work on roughs, including growth retardant sprays and pre-competition enhancements.

Hayden Laing, Area Sales Manager at Fairways GM, provided sales and technical support to the West Lothian course during the upgrade process.

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