Magazine - Jacobsen Articulated Rotary Mower for Loch Ness Golf Course

By Peter Driver in Industry on 13th Oct 2006 9:00

Gerald Houston, head greenkeeper at Loch Ness Golf Course near Inverness, took delivery of a Jacobsen AR250 rotary mower earlier this season from local Ransomes Jacobsen dealer, Fairways GM of Kinross. Ransomes Jacobsen is a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company.

This is the second AR250 to join his turf maintenance fleet and he has found it ideal for maintaining the semi-rough on the three courses at the complex, owned by Fairways Leisure Group Ltd. There are two 18-hole options; the championship length Old course or the 5900-yard New course, with both courses sharing several holes. Completing the playing facilities is a 9-hole family course, ideal for practice or newcomers to golf.

"The AR250 is a great mower," said Gerald Houston, "it's highly manoeuvrable in and around the many trees we have here. It's really easy to operate and its turbo diesel really complements the undulating ground here. We become a grass factory in the summer and with the AR we can cut 18 semis in just two days. It's also a superb presentation mower and leaves an attractive striping effect on the semi-rough."

Gerald's brother, Raymond Houston, is the course manager and under his guidance construction works and small improvements are being made to ensure that the course maintains its excellent condition as well as providing new challenges. Currently, a number of mature trees are being moved to add definition to the New course.

Ransomes Jacobsen is a subsidiary of Textron Inc., a $10 billion multi-industry company operating in 33 countries with approximately 37,000 employees. The company leverages its global network of aircraft, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO and Greenlee, among others. More information is available at www.textron.com.

Read more articles in Industry, by Peter Driver or from October 2006.