660 feet above sea level and hidden among Staffordshire’s Cannock Forest, the unique location of Beau Desert Golf Club means the club has its own microclimate and a specific set of challenges when it comes to course maintenance. It’s for these reasons the club has signed its first lease deal with Toro.  

Course manager Steve Mucklow explains that with colder temperatures for longer periods of the year, the risk of cutting the turf of the 18-hole 6,458-yard course too short, resulting in damage or stress, increases. Having equipment that provides a precise cut and great finish without damaging the grass is vital, hence the deal with Toro.  

“Having a high-quality fleet to deal with the demanding maintenance of the course is incredibly important and I’m confident Toro will be able to deal with that and at the same time improve the course, raising the standards and making it easier for the team in the process.”  

Steve continues: “I’ve been course manager for 25 years and our fleet has always featured Toro equipment. We’d been wanting to invest in a full Toro fleet for a while, but the timing hadn’t been right. As soon as it was, we turned to Redtech Machinery and Reesink Turfcare and set about discussing the best combination of machines for what we wanted to achieve.” 

And aeration was a priority meaning the ProCore 648 made the list, as Steve explains: “I’ve been looking to try out the ProCore 648 for a few years now, and although we haven’t been using it for long, it’s now a firm favourite of mine. It’s going to be really exciting to really put it through its paces here and see what it delivers.”  

In addition, the club’s new fleet also includes a Greensmaster 3400 TriFlex, Groundsmaster 4100-D, Reelmaster 3100-D Sidewinder, RM3555-D and Workman GTX.  

With plans in the making to further improve the club, including restructuring the bunkers, Steve is confident that “Toro will deliver on every aspect” from course maintenance to course improvements. “It’s a very exciting time to see the club taking its next steps to progress and move forward, especially with Toro on board.”  

Jon Lewis, area sales manager at Reesink Turfcare says: “I am extremely delighted that Steve and Beau Desert Golf Club have chosen to enter a partnership with Reesink Turfcare and Toro. With the addition of a new Toro fleet, it will only help the team here to enhance a great course even further! Particularly when it comes to managing the challenges created by its unique climate.”