Toro First For Mardyke Golf Club In Essex
Mardyke Valley Golf Club in South Ockendon, Essex, has bought a range of new turf mowers, and an aerator, to improve cutting and course presentation – choosing Toro equipment for the first time.
Dave Webster (seated right) with Lely’s Richard Freeman and the greenkeeping team.
Course manager Dave Webster says the club opted for two Toro Greensmaster 3250-D riding greensmowers, a Reelmaster 3100-D triplex and a Reelmaster 5510-D lightweight fairway mower. Added to the mowers, the club has bought Toro’s popular ProCore 648 pedestrian aerator.
“We were used to our previous machinery, but Lely’s Toro quote was favourable and to be honest no one else matched up to it,” says Dave. “Their professionalism and service was incredibly reassuring.
“We’ve got good drainage and irrigation here, and, despite the undulations of the course, it’s fairly straightforward for me and my team of five greenkeepers to maintain.”
Dave continues: “We cut the fairways to 16mm twice a week, depending on the weather. The greens are cut at 4mm every day and the tees to 12mm every two to three days.
“The RM3100-D, which has Sidewinder cutting units is new technology here; in fact, this technology is exclusive to Toro and was another factor for us choosing it. The cutting units move left to right in unison which gives a more precise cut on our bunkers. Against what we were using before it’s like comparing a Ford Fiesta with a Mercedes!
“What I’ll say about the GM3250-D and RM5510,” concludes Dave, “is that both these machines work hard. The quality of cut is good and together with the RM3100-D and ProCore 648 they have improved our playing surfaces, undulations and all. In fact, so much so that members and guests are coming forward to say the greens are running better and presentation has improved.”
