Newslines Spring 2019

06 . news lines . spring 2019 World Cup prep underway with Toro at Somerset County Cricket Club Highlighted kit: Updating a 20-year-old RM2300-D with a ne w RM3100-D As one of only ten venues in the country chosen for the 12th ICC Cricket World Cup, Somerset County Cricket Club is relying on Toro to ensure its outfield is ready for the eyes of the cricketing world upon it. The club, based in Taunton, is in good company as a World Cup host with Lord’s and The Oval, but as one of the smallest and newest in the line-up, the benchmark is high, says head groundsman Simon Lee. “Our trajectory of growth over the last five years has been huge. As part of our categorisation in to group B we received some funding so for the first time in 100 years we could improve our drainage system. This completely changed the way the outfield grew. What had previously been more like a recreational surface was suddenly more like a sports surface, with thicker, denser grass. “This has meant a lot more work in terms of cutting and maintaining the area. We’d been using a 20-year-old Toro Reelmaster 2300-D, and while that machine has been a fantastic workhorse and we’d never had a problem with it, the time had come to upgrade to a newer model to help cope with the change in the turf’s characteristics. “Whatever machine followed the RM2300-D had its work cut out. We think so highly of it that if its successor is even half as good as it’s been, that will be enough.” And it’s so far so good with the new Toro RM3100-D the club ultimately opted for. Only time will tell if its longevity matches up to the formidable RM2300-D, but in terms of performance, Simon is impressed. “Mechanically its all the same but my goodness the way it chews effortlessly through the grass is really impressive. It takes two and a half hours to cut five acres.” Three international matches between New Zealand and Afghanistan, Australia and Pakistan and West Indies and Bangladesh to look forward to in June concludes an eventful five years for the club, with the future everything to play for. 01 Toro reliability wins for Rookery Park Kit: 2 Greensmaster TriFlex 3400, 3 Greensmaster 3250-D , Groundsmaster 3500-D, Groundsmaster 4500-D , 2 Reelmaster 3575-D, Workman MDX , ProPass 200 Rookery Park Golf Club in Suffolk has recently purchased three Toro machines because “reliability is key” for course manager Neil Davey. Even though Toro already makes up 90 percent of the greenkeeping equipment at the club, each machinery purchase is done on a case-by-case basis and Toro has been chosen again, predominantly for its reliability but also for the results it produces. “It’s not a given we’ll go with Toro when we update the fleet but from my experience it’s always highly likely! We base ourselves on hard work, so what we need are trustworthy machines. Everywhere I’ve worked throughout my career, there’s been Toro, and for good reason. It consistently provides high-quality for a good price, and that allows us to do the best job possible with the budget we have.” After contacting Julian Copping from Reesink Turfcare who set up a demonstration, Neil and the team put the machines to the test and invested in two Reelmaster 3575-D mowers and a Greensmaster TriFlex 3400. Neil says: “I particularly liked the three-wheel- drive system on the Reelmaster, it allows for tight turns easily and the handling in general was great. In fact, the whole team loves to use Toro, it’s easy to operate and whenever there have been any issues, they get sorted immediately. The service from Reesink is great.” When it came to the Greensmaster TriFlex 3400, Neil didn’t need much convincing. “It’s definitely one of the best machines I’ve ever used,” he comments. “It has such good flexibility; the quick-change units make servicing the cutting units fast and easy. We’ve purchased a new model but we’re keeping the old one. Toro is known to keep its residual value and this machine is proof of that, it’s still in great condition with plenty of life yet. “Our members have all seen an improvement in the course since we’ve brought in more Toro machines, the results are clear and prove we made the right decision. I know I’m doing my job right by going with Toro and I know I can trust them not to let us down.” Below Head groundsman Simon Lee, second from left, is joined by Alan Dommett, left, Jeanette Dommett and Elliot Wellman all from Devon Garden Machinery with the club’s new Toro Reelmaster 3100-D ( right) and old RM2300-D. Being chosen as a World Cup venue puts us on a level playing field with some of the best sporting venues in the country, and it’s incredibly important we present at our best. We feel confident we can do that, especially with Toro looking after the grounds. Simon Lee Head groundsman Above The arrival of the RM2300-D two decades ago.