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Ardfin Golf Club welcomes Toro

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Ardfin Golf Club welcomes Toro: Ardfin Golf Club’s golf manager and mechanic were in complete agreement that the club’s hybrid machinery purchases should be Toro.

Carved along the shoreline at the top of a cliff on the Isle of Jura in Scotland, Ardfin Golf Club is not only one of the most unique golf courses in the world but one that has had the least interference in the natural landscape it is part of. And to both keep its spot in the top 100 best golf clubs to play at and continue the sustainability work it is known for, the club is now trusting its greens to Toro.

Ardfin Golf Club welcomes Toro

Ardfin Golf Club welcomes Toro

Golf manager Simon Crawford says: “I’ve used Toro before in previous jobs, including overseas when I worked in Barbados, Austria and the Middle East. Nothing can compare to it, it’s my favourite brand to use and as soon as I came here, I knew we’d have to switch. Our mechanic is also a Toro fan and prefers to work with Toro machinery, something that also has a big impact on what we buy. It was a match made in heaven.”

Speaking of heaven, Ardfin’s location as part of the Inner Hebrides is pretty close but maintaining a golf course in such a remote location doesn’t come without its challenges. Ardfin has managed to strike a balance between the site’s environmental needs and the commercial side of business while remaining at the top of destinations for both UK residents and international visitors looking for “a golf experience that’s like an adventure”, says Simon.

“An island like Jura is a precious place that we try to protect as much as possible. When the course was first built, we didn’t move a lot of land; instead, we reused the topsoil, improved the drainage and kept everything on a smaller scale to ensure habitats were protected – the greens are narrow, and we have fewer bunkers than usual. We don’t use fungicides or herbicides and try to have as little impact on the environment as we can: everything is recycled, and all the grass cuttings are used for composting. Getting more sustainable machinery was the logical next step.”

The club chose a Greensmaster TriFlex hybrid 3420 riding greensmower and a Reelmaster 5010-H fairway mower as starters from Toro distributor, Reesink Scotland. Both are hybrid machines and a perfect fit for what Simon and his nine-strong team are looking to achieve at Ardfin.

“We are trying to slowly but surely move away from using hydraulics and diesel engines,” he explains. “These ones we bought don’t have hydraulics thus there’s less of a chance of damage on the greens, tees, approaches and fairways. It gives us peace of mind.

“The difference in quality is also quite noticeable compared to other brands and the staff enjoys working with them. Overall, Toro machines are more robust, easier to set up and look after and we find the cutting units stay sharper for longer, too. Not to mention their brilliant finish. The service we get from Reesink is fantastic. It’s an easy company to deal with, with good aftersales and good contacts. Plus, when we ordered from them it only took a couple of months for the machines to arrive.”

So, what’s next for the club? Simon explains: “We’re expanding the site by adding a new nine-hole course and when we do, we’ll be looking after 36 holes in total. So, we need to buy a lot more machinery to ensure we stay efficient and productive and, of course, provide the best experience to our visitors. It also needs to be reliable and have good longevity, which Toro delivers 100 percent.

“We’re planning on going down the all-electric route next and have our eyes on a couple of the Greensmaster eTriFlex 3370 greensmowers. They will solidify our sustainability plan and help us carry on the work we do for generations. The technology is there, and it’ll only get better so we’re very excited to bring it into the club,” he concludes.

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

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North Berwick takes care with Toro

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North Berwick takes care with Toro: With the order of a full fleet of Toro equipment including three key all-electric mowers, North Berwick Golf Club in East Lothian, Scotland, didn’t have to choose between caring more for its putter than its puffins: now it can do both.

Near the largest puffin colony on the east coast of Britain, North Berwick Golf Club has environmental and noise pollution factors to consider highly in its machinery choices.

North Berwick takes care with Toro

North Berwick takes care with Toro

Course manager Darren MacLaughlan, who has been using and recommending the brand for the best part of 20 years, explains: “North Berwick has been a GEO certified course since 2015 and is located on some of the finest links terrain in the world. With that comes a responsibility to the site ensuring we are operating in the most sustainable manner possible.

“We are recognised as the 13th oldest golf club in the world and only at St Andrews has golf been played continuously over the same stretch of land. While it is important to preserve our rich history, we had to move forward with machinery and this has started with the introduction of both hybrid and electric technology.”

Toro has led the way in the turfcare electric machinery revolution and Darren opted for two Greensmaster eTriFlex 3370 riding greensmowers and a Greensmaster eFlex 1021 pedestrian mower.

“There are multiple reasons we opted for electric technology,” says Darren. “Our firm commitment to lower emissions in line with our GEO status and the quietness of their operation, which allows us to start work early in the morning without disturbing neighbours. Then there’s the reduction in fuel costs, which, with fuel prices as they are, is a huge consideration.

“And while we did not factor this in before the purchase, these machines have actually helped the mental health and wellbeing of our staff. Mowing the greens in the morning, without the old ear defenders, listening to the waves gently roll in from the beach and the birds fly over the bass rock is an experience no other course in the world can offer.”

Also included in the deal from distributor Reesink Scotland were two Greensmaster TriFlex Hybrid 3420, three Reelmaster 3555 lightweight fairway mowers, a Groundsmaster 3500 rotary deck mower, a Multi Pro 5800 turf sprayer and a Pro Force debris blower.

Darren continues: “We’ve received four of the thirteen machines ordered fleet due to the supply chain issues worldwide and we’re sure that when the rest of the kit arrives, we will be even better placed to produce classic links conditions.”

The branch is also providing additional support kit for The Women’s Open final qualifying event held in August at North Berwick. Darren says: “With Neil Mackenzie on the road, the support from Rab Wilson and his aftersales team and Richard Green directing operations, we have always had full confidence in Reesink.”

He concludes: “We pride ourselves in thinking out the box here at North Berwick. As a result, we have seen the course go from strength to strength in the past two years and we are proud to have Toro as a part of our firm commitment to continual improvement.

“Regularly ranked in the world’s top 50 and the UK top 10, we have high expectations to meet for our customers. That means having the best machinery and technology available on the market, and that’s undoubtedly Toro.”

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

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Toro launches new robotic mower

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Toro launches new robotic mower: Toro is bringing new innovation to the residential garden care category with the launch of a robotic mower that offers cutting-edge, easy to deploy technology and never-before-seen features.

With more than a century of delivering innovative solutions for the outdoor environment, Toro’s new robotic, battery-powered mower represents the latest in smart, connected technology for homeowners and their gardens.

Toro launches new robotic mower

Toro launches new robotic mower

“Our commitment to alternative power, smart connected, and autonomous technologies will enable people to create an amazing space for their families and do more of what they love for generations to come,” said Peter Moeller, Vice President & General Manager, International Division at The Toro Company.

The new robotic mower, available to consumers in selected European markets in the first half of next year, is a culmination of years of research and development. Featuring industry-leading capabilities, such as the industry’s first vision-based localisation system and wire-free navigation, the setup is easy and tailored to each garden without a pricey and failure-prone underground boundary wire installation. This proprietary vision system uses multiple cameras to map and localise in the garden enabling the mower to navigate tight spaces and move around structures such as trees and landscaping. It is also capable of crossing surfaces, such as driveways and sidewalks, to maintain all areas of the property.

Another exciting feature is the dedicated smartphone app which allows users to customise their mowing schedule — whether it’s around work, sleep, or travel. The app can also recommend an ideal mowing schedule based on weather forecasts and patterns. In addition, the mower has third-party safety certification, theft-proof features, slope-friendly cutting abilities, and quiet functionality.

To give homeowners a lawn care system that works as effectively as possible, the robotic mower offers unmatched efficiency through its patented Smart ZonesTM pattern mowing system that can be controlled through custom settings in the app. Through this system, the mower will automatically keep the lawn at a consistent, owner-selected height by cutting the smallest amount of grass each day for optimal lawn health.

Addressing the growing demand for easy-to-use autonomous mowers that offer flexibility and can handle complex gardens, the category is expected to grow significantly in the next 10 years in Europe as the technology develops to deliver accuracy and efficiency.

The new mower will join Toro’s many other powerful and energy efficient garden care tools, including its 60V Flex-Force Power System™, a full lineup of cordless products with one interchangeable battery, as well as its new Revolution Series of battery-powered commercial lawn care equipment. Toro’s autonomous technology is expanding to other outdoor environments, such as golf courses, where field testing of the GeoLink Solutions Autonomous Fairway Mower is underway.

The new autonomous mower, available in red or charcoal gray, will be available for purchase in selected European markets from the first half of next year. Learn more at smartyard.toro.com.

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Toro opens visitor centre at Spellbrook Factory

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Toro opens visitor centre at Spellbrook Factory: Toro U.K. Limited have opened a visitor centre at their Spellbrook factory in Hertfordshire.  After significant investment, Toro have converted an old agricultural building based by their test fields into a multi-functional visitor centre, which includes a kitchen, toilets, Wi-Fi and full audio visual facilities.

Capable of holding small intimate meetings to large events, the building will give the opportunity for Toro to welcome more groups to the site, including customers and Dealers from both the UK and Europe.

Toro opens visitor centre at Spellbrook Factory

Toro opens visitor centre at Spellbrook Factory

In honor of the founder of Hayter mowers, Toro UK have named the building the “Douglas Hayter Visitor Centre” and have added various nods to the sites history in the form of a history wall, display cabinets and even some heritage and special edition machines.

Toro UK combined the launch of the visitor centre with a celebration for staff of the Queens Platinum Jubilee.  Having held a Royal Warrant for supplying Her majesty the Queen since the 60s, it was especially important for the Toro UK team to celebrate this occasion.

“This visitor centre provides Toro with a really useful space to host and interact with our Dealers and customers.  From training to new product development, this visitor centre will be vital to growing our business in the UK” said Craig Hoare, Sales & Marketing Manager – Toro U.K. Limited. “There was only ever one choice, when it came to naming the building and I am so pleased we have been able to honour Doug Hayter, the man who started it all and to be able to bring some of our history into the building.”

The first official Customer event to be held in the new Visitor Centre will be the Toro UK Dealer days in September, where Dealers will get to tour the factory and see the new ranges for the 2023 season.  If you are interested in attending, please contact sales.uk@toro.com

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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.

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

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