Toro chosen to improve operations: Sustainable machinery in the form of Toro’s all-electric Greensmaster eTriFlex 3370 and three electric Workman GTXe utility vehicles lead Wallasey Golf Club’s new order with Cheshire Turf Machinery.
Situated on the Wirral Peninsula overlooking Liverpool Bay and the Irish Sea with views of the Snowdonian landscape in the distance, Wallasey Golf Club is carved out of ancient sand dunes that have bordered the Wirral coast for hundreds of years. The links landscape is not only home to the England Golf Championship venue designed by Tom Morris Snr of St Andrews, but also rare species of fauna, flora and wildlife.
When John McLoughin joined the club as course manager at the end of 2020, a key part of his job was to sensitively manage the course to provide a wonderful test of golf and safeguard the haven the rare species call home. Sustainability was therefore a key requirement in his first fleet deal for the club – and where Toro steps in as market leader.
As the only all-electric riding greensmower on the market, Toro’s Greensmaster eTriFlex 3370 formed the basis of the order, designed as it is with zero emissions, no hydraulic leaks and less noise pollution.
John says: “I was looking to make the sustainable choice wherever possible and reduce the impact on the environment in terms of pollution, vibration and noise. Toro is a brand I have used in my previous roles and trust implicitly to do the job well. The eTriFlex is exceptional and everyone loves using it. It’s quiet and smooth to use, the cut is refined and we’re able to cut 1.8 hectares of greens using the 14 blade cylinders with groomers attached with under 50 percent of charge.”
It goes without saying the Greensmaster eTriFlex 3370 fits the bill when it comes to sustainability, so too does the Workman GTX-e utility vehicle which is why John ordered three. John confirms: “These electric options from Toro match what we want to do in terms of improving the club’s environmental footprint and we’re delighted with their contribution and performance so far.”
Also included in the order were machines to help with strategic decisions to make specific improvements or deal with specific issues, as John explains: “We have purchased two Greensmaster 1026 pedestrian mowers to enable the team to hand mow the tees. This has greatly improved their presentation, surface refinement and aesthetic appearance.”
The Groundsmaster 4500-D mower meanwhile was brought in to improve operations, John says: “Previously cutting the roughs was taking 14-man hours, with the Groundsmaster it takes five allowing the team to deliver a greater level of attention to detail across the site.”
The deal was struck with Cheshire Turf Machinery with whom John has a long-standing relationship. Steve Halley, managing director at the dealers in Stockport, near Manchester, says: “We’re so pleased to be doing business with John in his new role at Wallasey having worked with him previously at Warrington Golf Club. Part of his role has been to lead the development programme on the golf course with an eye on sustainability and improved productivity and we’re delighted to hear the Toro machines have been instrumental in helping the team achieve their goals.”
The club confirms that under the stewardship of John and his team, with the aid of Toro, the work carried out reinstating the links’ natural dunes and clearing degenerate scrub and woodlands has seen the wildlife return and true rolling links’ mosaic enhanced helping improve the agronomic characteristic of the holes, and that is great news for the environment and golfers alike.
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