Tag Archive for: Royal

Royal Cromer supercharges sustainability mission

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Royal Cromer supercharges sustainability mission: Royal Cromer Golf Club, ranked in England’s Top 100, has doubled down on its commitment to sustainability with the help of Toro and Reesink Turfcare, expanding its fleet with three new Toro eTriFlex 3370 electric mowers and an upgraded Toro irrigation system.

Under the leadership of Course Manager Mark Heveran, who joined the club in 2010, Royal Cromer in Norfolk has already made impressive strides in terms of sustainability, working in collaboration with the R&A’s sustainable agronomy team, and reducing herbicide, pesticide, fungicide, and water use across its maritime, clifftop course.

Royal Cromer supercharges sustainability mission

Royal Cromer supercharges sustainability mission

Additionally, Royal Cromer has cut nitrogen inputs by over two-thirds and transformed the botanical composition of its turf, favouring bents and fescues for their improved resistance to drought, disease, erosion, and compaction.

As Mark explains, the next step on Royal Cromer’s green mission had to be investing in three new powerful Toro eTriFlex 3370 all-electric mowers, supplied by Reesink: “Being a Top 100 English club, we have more eyes on us than ever, so there’s never been a better time to upgrade our existing fleet. 

“Two of the mowers are eight-bladed and set up for tees and surrounds, while the other is eleven-bladed and perfect for greens,” he continues. “And the benefit with this setup is that they’re fully interchangeable. 

“We can easily swap the different units from one machine to another, giving us real versatility on the course. Each eTriFlex 3370 comes fully loaded with grooming brushes, which allow us to tiller the turf, removing any debris and preparing the grass leaf for the perfect cut. These mowers have been excellent so far, and the advancement in quality of cut is truly phenomenal.”

Given the course’s challenging clifftop terrain, safety is a key consideration for Royal Cromer, and one Mark takes seriously. “All our new Toro mowers are equipped with three-wheel drive kits,” he reveals. “For our coastal course, with its ranging undulations, these are perfect; the machines stick to the ground, so there are no sliding issues – which gives me peace of mind.”

In addition to the mowers, Royal Cromer has upgraded its existing Toro irrigation system. As part of the club’s mission to improve its biodiversity, Mark and the team are replacing artificial walkways with new natural alternatives, which will, of course, require irrigation. 

“Although we’ve added more sprinkler heads, we’re using the most up-to-date Lynx software from Toro to monitor and optimise our water usage,” explains Mark. “For the last 10 years, it has helped us reduce our water outputs significantly, monitoring and delivering our irrigation, right down to the millimetre.”

Indeed, Royal Cromer’s commitment to sustainability is part of a broader vision for the club’s promising future. “We’re setting up Royal Cromer for hundreds of years to come,” says Mark. “I see myself and my dedicated team as the custodians of this golf course, following in the footsteps of greats like Old Tom Morris, who played an important role in designing our course. And our goal is to take people on a journey, through a historic coastal golf course, while ensuring we operate as sustainably as possible.”

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Toro supporting Royal Troon

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Toro supporting Royal Troon: Royal Troon Golf Club in Ayrshire, Scotland has signed an exclusive partnership deal with Reesink Turfcare and Toro machinery ahead of hosting The Open 2024 for the tenth time.

The deal has provided Billy McLachlan, who’s been at the helm of the world-famous golf course for 31 years and Course Manager for four of The Open tournaments, and his team with a range of world-class equipment, including the latest electric mowers, for the greatest golf championship in the world.

Toro supporting Royal Troon

Toro supporting Royal Troon

Preparations have been well underway for years; starting as the club came out of the 2016 tournament with drainage work and then the installation of a “revolutionary” new Toro irrigation system.

“To have the reassurance of an irrigation system which allows us to be proactive and reactive depending on weather conditions; targeted and effective with our water usage and to have an entirely different level of precision and control throughout the tournament will be revolutionary,” Billy says. “It will take a lot of stress away.”

Billy who has been using Toro machinery for years felt the timing was right to make the commitment with Reesink, especially in the run-up to and over the tournament. Plus, he had his eye on sustainable mowing options: “We have a focus on using electric machinery and were extremely impressed with the Toro Greensmaster eTriFlex 3370 ride-on and Greensmaster e1021 pedestrian mowers, which will be taking care of the greens.

“Having all-electric turfcare machinery is a new addition to our fleet at The Open and I’m looking forward to the huge benefits that will bring. For one, they will allow us to get out to any areas we need to without disturbing viewers or the flow of play and we know we can work all hours needed, because they are so quiet.”

Jon Cole, divisional business manager at Reesink Turfcare, comments: “For electric power to play such a key role in yet another Open tournament sends a fantastic message. Just like diesel machines, battery operated mowers can also cope with the demands of producing the quality of cut and level of work demanded by a global event.”

The club has a core fleet of Toro machines and included new versions of the Toro Reelmaster 3575 and Groundsmaster 4300 mowers for fairways and roughs respectively as well as mid and heavy-duty utility vehicles in the last delivery. There’s a Toro ProCore 648s which will be instrumental in post-event recovery work.

Billy continues: “To have the support of Reesink throughout the tournament will be vital. We will have additional models of the same machines we’ve been using coming in and extra technicians, which provides great peace of mind.”

So, what can players and viewers expect from The Open 2024? Billy says it will certainly be bigger than ever: “We have the longest hole in Open history and, just two holes after that, the shortest hole in the championship’s history – our iconic par-three eighth, also known as the ‘Postage Stamp’.

“There are nine new tees too which lengthened the overall course – I think we’re sitting just 36 yards fewer than the record at Carnoustie in 2007 – and the event has sold out, ensuring a record attendance of 250,000, an increase of more than 70,000 people from the last time we hosted it in 2016. The grandstands, catering facilities, temporary buildings, services, everything is bigger to accommodate the increase in numbers.”

With the team, the years of planning, and Reesink and Toro by its side, it’s safe to say Royal Troon Golf Club is in a good position to deliver a tournament to remember.

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Royal Golf Club Bahrain receives Club Car fleet

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Royal Golf Club Bahrain receives Club Car fleet: Club Car®, global industry-leading manufacturer of small-wheel, zero-emissions electric vehicles, has delivered a new fleet of golf vehicles to the prestigious Royal Golf Club in Bahrain.

The world-class venue hosted the Bahrain Championship on the DP World Tour in February and welcomes 42,000 rounds a year on its two courses – the magnificent Colin Montgomerie-designed 18-hole championship layout and a 9-hole par-3 course.

Royal Golf Club Bahrain receives Club Car fleet

Royal Golf Club Bahrain receives Club Car fleet

Royal Golf Club chose the market-leading Club Car Tempo golf car in Metallic Blue Onyx complete with premium features including Visage (GPS technology), alloy wheels and comfort seats.

The vehicles were delivered through Luxury Carts, the Club Car distributor in the Middle East, and also have coolers, sand bottles and inbuilt USB ports.

Royal Golf Club General Manager, Juan Manuel Fuentes, said: “Our players use golf cars here because of the high temperatures and course design. That is why we commit to offer our members and guests an exceptional experience during their rounds with us.”

“Club Car has given us just that – the 80 new cars are fantastic.”

The new cars were used to transport VIP guests during the Bahrain Championship earlier this year – the DP World Tour’s first return to the Kingdom since 2011 – held under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

“Club Car is an easy choice because the product is superior and the level of service is excellent,” Fuentes added. “The cars were delivered quickly – there was not a long wait after ordering.”

Nicolas Le Glas, Club Car Regional Manager Middle East and Africa, said: “Royal Golf Club Bahrain offers its guests world class service, and we’re proud to play a part in that with these new vehicles.”

“I’d like to express my gratitude to the board of Royal Golf Club Bahrain, Juan Manuel and Troon for continuing the longstanding relationship with Club Car.”

Club Car Tempo has many customisable options including colour, seats, storage, wheels and three programmable drive modes to maximise performance.

For more information on Club Car visit: www.clubcar.com

For more information on Royal Bahrain Golf Club visit: https://www.theroyalgolfclub.com

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Royal Troon greenkeepers get compound upgrade

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Royal Troon greenkeepers get compound upgrade: Royal Troon Golf Club has upgraded its greenkeepers compound, incorporating state-of-the-art locker rooms, ahead of this summer’s 152nd Open.

The 145-year-old club, based in South Ayrshire, Scotland, has made a large investment in a new welfare block, which includes offices, a staff room, a kitchen, wet and dry changing facilities, showers and toilets.

Royal Troon greenkeepers get compound upgrade

Royal Troon greenkeepers get compound upgrade

The changing rooms feature 28 modern lockers and benches to cater for the dedicated team responsible for maintaining the club’s pristine courses.

The investment aims to support the 20 greenkeeping staff preparing to host the Championship in July.

Locit, the manufacturer of the Pure Lockers brand, partnered with distributor Nationwide Lockers to deliver the slate grey steel lockers to the specifications of contractor Fleming Build.

Stephen Anthony, Club Secretary at Royal Troon Golf Club, said: “The club is delighted with the new facilities, including the lockers, for our 20 greenkeepers. 

“The move to personal lockers provides a secure space for our team’s belongings. 

“The club is committed to the well-being of every employee and this upgrade speaks volumes about the value the club places on our dedicated team of greenkeepers and their integral role in maintaining our course’s international standards.”

John Burns, Project lead and Site Manager for Fleming Build, based in Glasgow, said: “The recent enhancement to the greenkeepers’ compound underscores Royal Troon’s commitment to providing top-notch facilities for its dedicated employees.

“The decision to work with Nationwide as a locker supplier was influenced by price, a quick lead time, colour customisation and fast installation. Pure Lockers were the best buy and ensured a seamless delivery process for Royal Troon. Collaborating with Locit and Nationwide Lockers reinforced our commitment to quality project delivery.”

Pure Lockers are the world’s first carbon-neutral steel lockers. Each product is PAS 2060 certified, the internationally recognised specification for carbon neutrality published by the British Standards Institution (BSI).

Locit manufactures from a state-of-the-art digital manufacturing facility in Deeside using 3D CAD/CAM software solutions that enable the design of products with minimum waste materials. The factory also uses an innovative curing process at a lower temperature than the industry standard to guarantee the highest quality and 40% energy savings.

Kevin Elliott, Business Development Manager, at Locit said: “At Locit, we take pride in our commitment to delivering excellence to our clients. We understand that each client has unique requirements, and our approach is collaborative. We work closely with our clients to tailor Pure Lockers to their needs, ensuring that every detail aligns with their vision.”

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Royal Mid-Surrey ‘Take Ten’ with Kubota

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Royal Mid-Surrey ‘Take Ten’ with Kubota: A fleet of five RTV’s and five tractors from Kubota are supporting operations across the busy 36-hole complex at Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Club. Some of the vehicles have delivered close to 20 years of reliable service and it’s this dependability that’s keeps Golf Course Manager, Gavin Kinsella, loyal to the brand for some of their most vital and well-used pieces of equipment.

Founded in 1892, and set on a stretch of royal parkland, Royal Mid-Surrey today comprises of two 18-hole courses – a shorter, more tactical round lays ahead on the Pam Barton course, while the longer, championship JH Taylor course poses a test to players of all abilities, regularly playing host to county and England Golf tournaments. “Keeping on top of condition and delivering the standards that players expect with a team of 20 is a challenge, particularly when you factor in holidays and staff absence” explains Gavin, “but it helps when you can rely on the equipment you have in the shed.”

Royal Mid-Surrey ‘Take Ten’ with Kubota

Royal Mid-Surrey ‘Take Ten’ with Kubota

“We purchased our first Kubota RTV and compact tractor based on the great working relationship the club developed with local dealers Lister Wilder. Since then, the outstanding reliability we’ve had combined with the operator experience and suitability of these vehicles on our site means we’ve never looked at anything else.” He adds, “40% of our land is floodplain which can lay very wet over winter, and these all-rounders keep us mobile and never fail to get us and our attachments out on the course even in very inclement weather.”

One of the clubs original RTV-900’s, purchased in 2005, remains on the fleet joined by two RTV-X900’s and two RTV-X1110’s in more recent years. “These vehicles are the first out of the shed every morning and often the last to return. They’re our go-to for towing trailers, moving greens machines, and transporting tools and the team around the site for course set up. All the controls on the RTV’s are where you want them, and the suspension makes for a smooth and comfortable drive experience.”

Alongside RTV’s, and proving to be the workhorses for the majority of autumn, winter and spring maintenance and renovations are an L2602, L3830 and L5040 from Kubota’s popular L tractor series, a B2710 and a larger, M6060 with loader.

“The versatility we have in our tractor fleet means that no matter the operation or implement required, we can get the job done with efficiency.” With the smaller implements catered for by the lower hp compact tractors, the larger L2602 and M6060 will be taking the strain for larger-scale groundworks and heavier machinery, such as the clubs high-capacity vacuum collector.

Gavin concludes, “Our loyalty to Kubota is entrenched in our confidence in them. They’re machines we know, machines we trust and over several years have proven to be the most robust and reliable vehicles for our situation.”

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