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Course manager Billy McLachlan and his greenkeeping team have an extremely busy year ahead of them at Royal Troon Golf Club on the Firth of Clyde this year. The Old Course is undergoing more renovation and redesign work than it has ever experienced before, including changes required in preparation for its next Open Championship in 2016.
The work includes moving the 15th fairway, a new bunker at the 7th, reshaping the surrounds at the 6th, and changes to the 9th green, 10th tee and the 11th hole, plus specification changes to all the greens for The Open. As Billy McLachlan explains, “They are the softest greens of all the Open courses, but we also have the wettest climate here – the previous winter we had to adjust the top dressing programme to firm up the greens as much as possible.”
The club has bought two new John Deere 8000E five-gang hybrid electric machines from dealer Nairn Brown at Busby in Glasgow – who celebrate their 50th anniversary as a machinery dealership this year – as the latest additions to its course maintenance fleet, for use as tees and surrounds mowers across the club’s three courses.
“We’ve found that the 8000E gives a superior cut and a really good finish, and it’s very easy to use. It has a smaller cylinder than our previous 2653 triplexes, but gives us a wider 80in cut. The ball-joint design means it follows the contours a lot better, so we get a closer cut and the mower can get into tighter areas more easily.”
For more information go to www.johndeere.co.uk
Trump International Golf Links, situated on the Menie Estate near Balmedie, 15 minutes drive north from Aberdeen city centre, has taken delivery of an initial fleet of E-Z-GO golf cars from local dealer, Fairways GM.
The fleet of six RXV buggies, the latest and most innovative design from the Augusta-based manufacturer, feature AC motor technology which allows the speed to be regulated to suit the condition of the course.
“We undertook some detailed and comprehensive research into the golf car market before making our final decision to go with E-Z-GO,” said John Bambury, Links Superintendent.
Trump International Golf Links was designed by Dr Martin Hawtree and opened on 10th July 2012. One year later it was ranked ‘Best Modern Golf Course in Great Britain & Ireland’ by Golf Week.
“The opening of the links has been a great benefit to tourism and golf in Aberdeenshire. Neighbouring hoteliers and golf clubs have seen significant increases in business. Golfers want to play the Trump International, but while they’re in the area, they are playing the other courses,” Bambury added.
E-Z-GO is a Textron Inc. (NTSE: TXT) company and more information on the product offering can be found at www.e-z-go.co.uk
