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By Peter Driver in Golf on 12th Nov 2010 11:00
Bomb craters are a major feature and require dedicated equipment
Ransomes Jacobsen's distributor for The Netherlands, Van der Pols, has provided specialist turf maintenance equipment for a unique golf course situated on the south-west coast of the country.
The Domburgsche Golfclub is the only genuine links course in the country and has been rated as the best nine-hole course in Holland. Established in 1914, it has been ravaged by two world wars which have shaped the course in the extreme.
In 1944 it was used by the German army as a defence structure to prevent the landing of allied forces. The concrete bunkers and anti-aircraft guns located on the course were heavily bombed and the resulting bomb craters have become the 'signature' feature, requiring special tools for maintenance.
Arjen Bosschaart is the head greenkeeper at the Domburgsche and uses a Jacobsen SLF-1880 to maintain the fairways. The craters in the fairways were partly reinstated after the war, but the specialist SLF, with its 18 inch cutting cylinders, is the only machine capable of handling the spectacular contours.
"We used to use a Jacobsen TriKing on the fairways and it proved to be a good and reliable machine, but the LF-1880 with its narrow units and turf groomers has definitely made a huge improvement to the condition of our fairways. The severe undulations are perfectly followed and the small width and low weight makes turning in the roughs easy," he said.
"Also, because of the huge height elevations on the fairways the machine has been equipped with an additional safety structure. This prevents accidents as there are several situations where the machine cannot be seen by the golfers."
The rough areas on the course also present challenges and a Ransomes remote controlled Spider mower is used for cutting the craters and landwalls.
"A couple of years ago, when the Spider was introduced, Pols demonstrated the mower on our course. I was not only impressed with the machines capabilities and productivity but also saw the value for safety and comfort of our operators. Although this type of machine is a significant investment for our nine-hole course, it has been word every Euro."
The Jacobsen machinery package at the Domburgsche also consist of two Greensking VI triple mower for greens, tees and surrounds and a Tri-King that is used on the driving range.
For more information on Ransomes Jacobsen products visit: www.ransomesjacobsen.com
Read more articles in Golf, by Peter Driver or from November 2010.
