Greens Chairman does his homework ... and Toro Golf Mower gets full marks!

York Golf Club's greens chairman Ian Clark is a great believer in doing his homework whenever the 18-hole course needs a new bit of turf machinery. So when the club, which is reputed for the fine quality of its greens, needed a new greensmower, Ian left no stone unturned in finding the best - a Toro Greensmaster TriFlex 3400-D.

"We've previously sourced all equipment through a competitor company, but replacing such a big-ticket item this time lead us to a more substantial review of possibilities," says Ian, who has a keen interest in mechanics. "I did my research and spoke to lots of people, including the greenkeeping team, and this seemed the best one on the market. We bought our old electric mower to eliminate hydraulic leaks, but after researching this machine I was happy it would minimise the risk of leaks while getting more power to the cutting heads."

Ian works closely with head greenkeeper Chris Martin and his team when selecting any new fleet additions, with this hands-on approach ensuring the greenkeeping team's practical knowledge is complemented by the thorough research done from Ian's desk. "The greenkeeping team always have the final decision as I'm not the one using these machines," Ian adds. "But I do do my homework."

To make the most of its investment in cutting-edge TriFlex technology, the club has also opted for 11-blade Dual Precision Adjustment (DPA) quick-detach cutting units and a set of tough carbine-tipped verti-cutting units, together with rear roller brushes and groomers, and a Tri-Roller kit. These optional extras maximise the versatility of the machine, allowing York Golf Club to mow, groom, verti-cut and roll the greens from a single - and therefore more cost-effective - power unit.

Impressed with this, the club's first Toro purchase, Ian and Chris bought a ProPass 200 broadcast-style topdresser at the same time as the TriFlex. They're also considering investing in a second TriFlex 3400-D mower in the future. "We do like to keep up-to-date with the latest industry advice and technology," Ian concludes.

For more information on Toro machinery, call distributor Lely UK on 01480 226800, email toro.info.uk@lely.com or visit www.toro.com/triflex.