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Wassenaarse Choose Jacobsen

July 15, 2019/in Machinery, News, Press Release/by Juliet Liddell

Wassenaarse Choose Jacobsen: Perfection is the minimum requirement at Wassenaarse Golf Groendael in The Netherlands, and a new fleet of Jacobsen mowers will be contributing towards impeccable greens and immaculate fairways.

The exclusive nine-hole course is located between Wassenaar and The Hague and is known throughout The Netherlands for its fast greens and particular attention to detail, which have become prominent traits of the club.

This new fleet of machines continues the association between head greenkeeper, Marco Wouters, Jacobsen and local dealer Pols Zuidland, and Marco considers his relationship with both to be a contributing factor behind his decision.

“Besides the reliability of the machines and the quality of cut, I would like to express that the continuous support of Pols Zuidland is equally important because without the right service we cannot do our job.

“The feeling of belonging to the Jacobsen family is also something to consider. I regularly visit the GCSAA Golf Show, and I meet a lot of Jacobsen staff who are always happy to talk through my questions. So, the support from both Jacobsen and Pols Zuidland was a reason to make another seven-year commitment and hopefully another seven after that.”

To meet the standards expected by the 350 members, Marco turned to Jacobsen’s renowned quality of cut and after-cut presentation. To achieve a daily stimp between 11 and 12 on the bent grass greens during the season, and around 10 during the off-season, he purchased two Eclipse 122 pedestrian mowers fitted with bi-directional groomer systems and one Eclipse 322 triplex with 15 blades.

For Marco, this combination of greens mowers met all of his requirements while offering that bit extra, as he explains. “One of the main reasons we chose the 122 is that we could install lithium batteries, which allows us to mow quietly in the mornings without disturbing the houses that surround the course. For presentation and practicality, the decision to choose the groomers was obvious because Jacobsen’s are known around the world for their ability to do a great job, for me, there is no other name/brand that’s doing it better.

“We aim to hand mow the greens seven days a week, but there are occasions when we can’t, and that’s why we got the Eclipse 322. Quality of cut was the main reason along with durability, but other features also helped us make the decision. Our course is situated in a drinking water reservoir and is environmentally prone to contamination, so being able to eliminate the use of hydraulic fluids and oil without having to sacrifice on cut quality is excellent for us.

“Another feature myself and my team love is the swing out centre reel. It makes the daily height of cut and bedknife adjustments much easier and saves a lot of time.”

A super light-weight SLF530 reel mower was selected for use on the fescue fairways for its exceptional after-cut presentation. At Wassenaarse, all fairways are cross-mowed and boxed off, with a clear definition between the fairways and rough at all times. Being able to adjust the units at the touch of a button has made achieving this definition easier along with the groomer system that is preventing the build-up of wet clippings and leaves falling into the grass sward.

Marco’s attention to detail doesn’t stop with the course and is applied to every machine that’s used on it. It is a common site to see golf buggies dressed in club colours and logos, but at Wassenaarse the machines get the same treatment because they are regularly seen on the course by members. All of the new mowers, three Cushman Hauler Pro’s, Smithco sprayer, bunker rake and XL roller have been sprayed black and had Groendael’s logo applied, and received a very positive reaction from members who have praised the uniform appearance.

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Fynn Valley Upgrade With Jacobsen

May 20, 2019/in Machinery, News, Press Release/by Jade Costa

Fynn Valley Upgrade With Jacobsen: Fynn Valley Golf Club has purchased a fleet of five new Jacobsen mowers, four E-Z-GO RXV golf buggies and a Cushman Truckster XD from Bartram Mowers as part of their continued improvement of the club.

The family owned & run Ipswich based golf club has undergone an ambitious and forward-thinking modernisation process, with their impressive, purpose-built Café Terrace and Club House opening in October 2018.

As part of the improvements, the club brought in Ian Lloyd, a graduate of the Future Turf Managers Initiative, as head greenkeeper. The experience he brings to the role will elevate the course quality with the new range of Jacobsen machines an important part of his plans going forward.

With his new fleet, he has already started seeing the benefits of the AdaptiShift technology on the AR331, the time saved with the unique swing out centre reel on the two GP400’s and the ease of movement with the HR500’s compact travel width.

“The big thing for us is we’ve got quite a few steep and sharp mounds, and there are a few ponds that aren’t very well positioned and can be difficult for staff to manoeuvre around and that’s where the AdaptiShift really helps us,” Ian explained.

“I’ve been using the AR331 for the last couple of days, and it just gives you more confidence that you’re going to cut everything because you don’t have to put the whole machine out there, you can send the unit out and keep the wheels on solid ground, so it really optimises safety.

“Being able to do that has saved us time, and the swing out centre reel on the two GP400’s is a game changer. No matter what machine you’re on the central unit is the most difficult to access in terms of cleaning and if you’re trying to adapt something or even just check the height of cut you almost have to be a contortionist to get in there. In the past, we’ve had people go out and you can see the central unit is off, and that’s either because they were put off from doing it properly because it’s so difficult or they’ve tried their best, and it just wasn’t the easiest to do.

“With the swing out centre unit there’s no excuse anymore, it’s just like the front units, and you can get it to an easy position, so it’s a lot easier to do the job.”

The time Ian and his team have gained from using the new fleet of Jacobsen equipment is invaluable as they aim to continue raising the standards of the course, and the elevated cut performance and machine efficiency will be a large part of that.

Another factor that has helped efficiency away from the machines is the customer service Ian received from Adrian Kersey at Bartram Mowers and William Carr and Robert Hayward at Jacobsen.

Ian explained: “Since being at the club I’ve built up a strong relationship with Adrian who was the first person I’d call when we needed something for our fleet . Due to our aged inventory customer service was key and he was always quick to help us when we needed it which was very important for us.

“We also had Jacobsen’s help getting out of a few binds last year when we only had one fairway mower. They stepped in which really helped us out and kept our maintenance programme going.

“We needed investment, and thankfully we have it now. We’re in a position where everything we’re going to be using day to day is brand-new, and it’s nice to have that confidence with this Jacobsen fleet.”

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Jacobsen Support Greenkeeping Career

February 6, 2019/in News, People, Press Release/by Ella Boyden

Jacobsen Support Greenkeeping Career: James Walker, a graduate of the African Turf Academy in Pretoria, South Africa, has praised Jacobsen for its commitment to education and helping to launch his greenkeeping career.

James graduated from the African Turf Academy, which is supported by Jacobsen and the R&A, in 2015. James enjoyed success at the Academy based at the Silver Lakes Golf Estate and won the Student of the Year award in 2015.

Three years on, and James is now the assistant greenkeeper at JCB Golf & Country Club, the brand-new 18-hole golf course based at the construction equipment manufacturer’s headquarters in Staffordshire. The golf course is supplied by Textron Golf, which includes equipment and vehicles from Jacobsen, E-Z-GO, Cushman and Textron Fleet Management.

“It’s amazing that Jacobsen supported me throughout my education in South Africa, and now I am here at JCB which uses the equipment,” James said. “The African Turf Academy was the only one to offer an international qualification, which was run by Elmwood College, and Jacobsen was the only company willing to invest in education in the turf industry across South Africa. I must thank Jacobsen, the R&A and The African Turf Academy for all they have done for me in my career so far.”

The African Turf Academy offers an International Greenkeeping Qualification, a two-year full-time programme of study running in conjunction with the Tour Player Development Programme. On completion of the course, students receive an internationally recognised National Certificate in Greenkeeping from Elmwood College in St. Andrews, Scotland.

“I was introduced to Euan Grant at the Golf Industry Show in San Antonio this year,” James continued. “As the general manager at JCB Golf & Country Club, he was looking for greenkeepers to come and work at the new course. I was excited at the prospect; it sounded like an exciting project and something I was keen to be involved in.”

“James and I met at GIS in February 2018,” Euan grant explained. “As soon as we started to talk, I knew he was exactly the kind of person I wanted at the JCB course. He’s passionate about greenkeeping, extremely hardworking and down-to-earth and committed to his own professional development. I would also like to thank Jacobsen for giving people like James the opportunity to enter the turf maintenance profession and supporting the future of the industry.”

“I’m looking forward to my future here,” James concluded. “It’s a spectacular course with the best equipment and resources available, and whilst the climate is very different to South Africa, I’m adjusting well!”

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Ransomes Jacobsen At Ipswich GC

September 25, 2018/in Machinery, News, Press Release/by Ella Boyden

Ransomes Jacobsen At Ipswich GC: A fourth five-year exclusive supplier agreement has been signed by Ipswich Golf Club for Ransomes Jacobsen turf maintenance equipment. Bartram mowers, supply the machinery at Ipswich Golf Club.

Commenting at the official signing of the agreement, Ipswich Golf Club’s Course Manager Graham Brumpton said,

“We have had a relationship with Ransomes Jacobsen and Bartrams for more than 20 years now. The Ransomes Jacobsen manufacturing facility and the Bartrams depot are just a mile from our course, so that is very convenient. Having said that, the service and the quality of machinery that we receive is truly second to none, which is why we continue to keep our longstanding partnership in place.”

Kevin Lovelock, Director of Golf at Ipswich Golf Club said,

“I am delighted to continue the close relationship with Ransomes Jacobsen. As a club we are very fortunate to have one of the world’s leading golf course machinery brands in Ipswich and it makes perfect sense for the two of us to work together.”

Ipswich Golf Club have since made a few purchases under the agreement including a Jacobsen LF570 fairway mower, a Turfco WideSpin 1550 topdresser and a Turfco Torrent 2 blower.

“Before signing the agreement and making these purchases, we also looked at other brands and products,” Brumpton continued. “We had demonstrations of different fairway mowers, but the Jacobsen LF570 came out on top. It was a unanimous decision amongst all nine of my staff, that the Jacobsen mower had a far superior quality of cut, and they found the machine the easiest and most comfortable to operate.

“At Ipswich Golf Club we are part of the Natural England Higher Level Stewardship Scheme. The aim of this is to bring the course back to heathland vegetation, as there is a huge decline in heathland areas and golf courses in the U.K. We are now seven years into the scheme, and the results are superb. We work closely with STRI, and we are proud of our reputation for environmental sustainability.

“Our relationship with Ransomes Jacobsen is enhanced by our shared values of sustainability. This is shown in the company’s product offering with the Eclipse 322 hybrid mower, which we use on our greens; the machine eliminates things such as oil leaks and noise pollution.”

Ipswich Golf Club is one of Suffolk’s most prestigious courses, and it’s 27-holes are beautifully presented over 8,500 yards of heathland with additional practice facilities. The Club will host the English Women’s Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship in August 2019.

For more information, visit: www.jacobsen.com

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Jacobsen A Ryder Cup Supplier

August 22, 2018/in News, Press Release, Sport/by Ella Boyden

Jacobsen A Ryder Cup Supplier: The 2018 Ryder Cup is approaching, and Jacobsen^®turf equipment is an Official Supplier to the tournament, and will be offering support to the greenkeeping team throughout the competition. Staff based at Ransomes Jacobsen France (RJF) in Toulouse will be assisted by technical staff from the Ipswich-based Ransomes Jacobsen facility.

Jacobsen turf equipment is designed and manufactured by Textron Specialized Vehicles Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company.

In 2016, Le Golf National signed a five-year preferred supplier agreement with Ransomes Jacobsen. The prestigious golf course, which belongs to the French Federation of Golf, has demonstrated its confidence in Ransomes Jacobsen France, which has supplied equipment to the facility since 2010.

In addition to the course’s regular fleet of Jacobsen equipment, an additional 31 pieces of equipment have been delivered to support The Ryder Cup. The additional machinery consists of 12 Eclipse 2 greens mowers, three SLF-1880 fairway mowers, three AR-3 rotary mowers, two Jacobsen Trucksters, four Smithco Lite rollers and 11 mower caddies.

Alejandro Reyes, Golf and Courses and Estate Manager at Le Golf National, said of the support provided by Jacobsen and RJF:

“Le Golf National has been in partnership with Jacobsen since 2011. The quality of machinery, the back-up support, and the product innovation are just some of the reasons we choose Jacobsen. Together, we have created a world-class golf course that will host The 2018 Ryder Cup, and the Olympics in 2024.

“We are excited to use Jacobsen equipment during The Ryder Cup. I am confident that it will assist us in making the Albatros course absolutely spectacular for such a huge event. The HNA Open de France went very well, and we are making sure that we maintain high standards all the way through until the Ryder Cup in September.”

Since opening in 1990, Le Golf National has hosted the Open de France 25 times. It consists of three courses: the Albatros, an18-hole championship course, on which The Ryder Cup will be played; the Eagle, a second 18-hole course; and the Oiselet, a 9-hole course.

For more information, visit: www.jacobsen.com/europe