Eaton Golf Club, situated just over a mile from Norwich city centre in 108 acres of heath and parkland adjacent to the river Yare, took delivery of two diesel-electric Jacobsen Eclipse 322 ride-on greens mowers earlier this season under a preferred supplier agreement with local Ransomes Jacobsen dealer, Bartram Professional.

Mick Lathrope is the long-serving head greenkeeper at the club and manages a team of five greenkeeping staff. He began his career in 1964 at the tender of 16, mowing greens with a Ransomes Certes push mower at Maylands Golf Club in Romford.

General manager Peter Johns and Mick Lathrope with trusty Ransomes Certes push mower (centre)
with members of the greenkeeping team and the new Jacobsen Eclipse 322 mowers

“We’ve come a long way since those days and the club have shown tremendous commitment by going with the very latest greens mowing technology,” he said. “The Eclipse 322 gives a really lovely finish and using the frequency of clip to adjust the number of cuts per metre, we can prepare the greens to tournament standard. Straight out of the box we’ve increased green speed, so we’re really looking forward to experimenting with it throughout the coming season.”

General Manager Peter Johns added,
“As a private members club in an era of austerity, Eaton Golf Club has made a significant commitment with this investment in new technology. We have made a conscious decision to give Mick and his team the tools to ensure the course is in the best possible condition, thereby providing members and visitors with a unique golfing experience.

“This has already become evident from members’ positive feedback about the condition and playability of the greens. Having played golf from the age of 13 on many different courses both in the UK and abroad and a member at Eaton Golf Club since 1979, I can see that the quality of finish from these mowers is second to none.”

More information can be found at www.ransomesjacobsen.com.