Celebrating three decades working together with an obvious focus on sustainable machinery
A sustainable relationship is one that is easy to maintain and doesn’t feel like hard work – and that’s certainly something Gullane Golf Club, one of Scotland’s most prestigious members clubs, and Toro know something about as their relationship nears its third decade.
The reason for this enduring and continued success is, according to the club, down to the attention to detail the machinery provides in creating the best possible conditions for the fast-draining Scottish links microclimate.
Course Manager Paul Armour, who has been at the club for 20 months but is aware of the ‘Toro effect’ from his time as Supervisor on the Old Course at St Andrews, explains why the relationship has stood the test of time.
The quality of product and the brand’s obvious role as the market leader are instrumental. But it’s as much the relationship with Reesink Scotland too, which has been built up over time and works well for both Toro and Gullane.
Gullane Golf Club Course Manager Paul Armour, right, with Toro distributor Reesink Scotland’s Neil Mackenzie.
As the club receives its latest fleet order, there’s an obvious focus on sustainable machinery to align with the club’s overall ethos, says Paul: “Gullane as a club strives to be as sustainable as possible, whether that is reducing diesel use or recycling materials onsite. The plan is to have as many electric machines as possible and for all our hand mowers, utility vehicles, and triplexes to be electric in the next couple of years.”
It’s a plan already well in play. Three years ago, the club invested in five Toro Workman GTX Lithium utility vehicles and has been so impressed with their performance it has invested in another four bringing it to a total of nine.
The Toro Workman GTX Lithium utility vehicles have proved themselves so thoroughly, the club has invested in five more.
Paul explains how they have proved themselves so thoroughly in that time: “The GTX machines have been a massive success here at Gullane. They have coped well with the terrain, and we have found them useful for most tasks, thanks to being able to load the back and tow.”
Similarly, the club’s five all-electric Toro Greensmaster eTriFlex 3370 greensmowers collection is about to become eight. Paul says the obvious answer as to why he’s almost doubling the numbers of this machine is the minimal noise.
Neil Mackenzie from Toro distributor Reesink Scotland says: “The Toro’s Greensmaster eTriFlex 3370 with its lithium-ion battery was first to market, and we’re seeing its popularity increasing year on year as clubs embrace the benefits of running a much quieter greens mower with zero exhaust emissions and no hydraulic fluid. With these mowers, a burst hose is a thing of the past and lower maintenance costs come as standard.”
Despite the increase in fleet numbers of battery-powered equipment, there are few infrastructure accommodations that have had to be made, confirms Paul: “We haven’t had to change too much in the shed. We’ve added individual charging points for each machine just in case we have any points trip, but that’s just a contingency.”
Adding to Gullane’s sustainable machinery credentials is the Greensmaster e1021.
These sustainable machinery choices form part of a bigger sustainability plan as Paul explains: “The long-term plan is to cover as much of our electric costs as possible with the installation of solar panels on the equipment shed. We’re in discussions about that now.”
It appears the long-term plan is to continue sustaining its relationship with Reesink too, as Paul concludes: “I’ve really enjoyed building a relationship with Reesink. Our sales representative Neil Mackenzie has been great to deal with, he keeps in touch with any queries or issues that may arise, and the servicing and parts teams are great too, always available when I need them and on the other end of the phone.”
That certainly defines a sustainable relationship!