New Fleet of Ransomes Jacobsen equipment for Bunclody Golf & Fishing Club
Bunclody Golf and Fishing Club, situated in 300 acres of breathtaking parkland on the former Hall-Dare Estate in County Wexford, has taken an extensive package of course maintenance equipment from Ransomes Jacobsen's exclusive distributor for Ireland, Kevin Broderick Ltd.
The equipment, with a retail price in excess of Euros 800,000, includes pedestrian greens mowers, tees mowers, light fairway mowers, semi-rough rotary mowers, bunker rakes, utility vehicles, top dressers and a greens roller.
Duncan O'Shaughnessy is the superintendent at the 7,164 yard course and said, "The package we have taken from Kevin Broderick Ltd has given us a comprehensive range of course management machines that are ideal for our requirements here at Bunclody. The quality of cut from the Jacobsen mowers is second to none and I especially like their SLF 1880 machine. It is extremely light and compact and delivers a really great finish; it's a fantastic mower. We are hand mowing, whenever possible, as part of our greens management programme as I believe this produces the best surface.
"Jeff Howes, who has worked with Seve Ballesteros at The Heritage as well as at Mount Juliet and Fota Island, designed the course and has done a superb job. With a great design and top notch equipment, our aim is to provide a golfing product that is the best in Carlow and Wexford, giving golfers the premier experience in the region."
Duncan has a team of eight greens staff including a full-time mechanic. He began his career in 1995 as an apprentice at Blackpool North Shore and later won a scholarship to Ohio State University. During 2004 he worked at the US Amateur championships played at Wingfoot Golf Club and in 2005 he was one of the greenkeeping team at the US Open, held at the Pinehurst Resort. He also worked at the K Club for two and half years, during which time they hosted the Ryder Cup and two European Opens, before taking up his current position in July 2007 at the beginning of the grow-in phase.
Seven of the 18 holes at Bunclody run alongside the River Slaney while the remainder are located in the estate's old deerpark and majestic oak woodland. A unique feature is the buggy/passenger lift, which provides golfers with a quick and effortless ride to the 18th tee, some 25 metres above the 17th green.
Conceived through the vision of a group of local business people, Bunclody Golf and Fishing Club is one of the most significant developments ever undertaken in Bunclody. The centrepiece of the course, which opened on 14th March 2009, two months ahead of schedule, is the circular clubhouse with a traditional reed thatched roof and outstanding views of the course with Mount Leinster in the background.
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