Pumpherson Golf Club upgrade course maintenance equipment.

Pumpherson Golf Club upgrade course maintenance equipment.

By Peter Driver

Pumpherston Golf Club of Livingston, West Lothian is another club that has turned to Fairways GM of Kinross for its golf course maintenance equipment. The club, which is situated on a former brownfield site once owned by BP, has begun upgrading its turf maintenance fleet with the recent delivery of Jacobsen greens and tees mowers.

For the past 12 years, Stan Cook has been Course Manager at the 110-year old club, which four years ago was developed into a 6,000 yard, par 70, 18-hole course.

"We are always looking to improve the playing facilities for our 600 members and that's why we've selected the Jacobsen equipment from Fairways," he said. "The quality of cut is excellent and they are good, reliable machines. Add to that the service from Fairways and the 5-year contract hire deal and we have a package that we're delighted with."

Pumpherston recently received funding from the Scottish Environmental Group and this enabled them to plant over 750 trees around the course last February. They have also won a European Environmental Excellence award sponsored by the Scottish Green Belt Foundation and Scottish National Heritage.

Euan Thompson of Fairways added, "Pumpherston are very environmentally aware and this new equipment dovetails into their environmental policy, as they use the very latest biodegradable oils. Ransomes Jacobsen is the only turf equipment manufacturer to have ISO14001 accreditation, the international standard which demonstrates their commitment to environmental best practice and responsible management. We are delighted to have been selected to supply this equipment and look forward to a mutually beneficial arrangement with the club."

Photo caption for either image: (l-r) Euan Thompson and Bill Smith of Fairways GM with head greenkeeper Stan Cook and greens convenor Russell Scott.