Toro Machinery keeps Fairmount St Andrews GC looking a million dollars

Amy Ellinghamin Golf

Fairmont St Andrews GCScotland's Fairmont St Andrews Golf Resort is marking its 10th anniversary this year, with an all-new Toro fleet arriving just in time to join the celebrations.

The St Andrews Bay-based 36-hole course has been a Toro customer since opening its doors, so it's no surprise to see the club sticking with its machinery as part of a new four-year agreement worth some £600,000.

"When the agreement came up for renewal two competitors quoted for the business," says Neil Ballingall, course superintendent, "but Toro came up with the best package. I was very pleased as I've been a faithful Toro user throughout my 24 years in greenkeeping. It's the best all-rounder, in my opinion. That's why we stick with Toro, because it's the best quality and most reliable machinery make there is."

The deal replaces the top-flight venue's fleet on a like-for-like basis, with its full contingent of mowers including Greensmaster 1000, 1600 and 3250-D greensmowers, Groundsmaster 3500-D and 4500-D, and Reelmaster 3100-D Sidewinder and five Reelmaster 5610-D mowers. Four new heavy-duty Workman HDX utility vehicles are also hard at work on the course.

However, Neil has added an all-new bit of kit to the fleet - a Toro ProForce debris blower. "Having the blower will enhance the overall experience we offer at Fairmont," he continues. "We get a lot of debris on our driving range, as well as bent grass from the roughs on our paths, so we bought it primarily to clear those areas. It does the job really quickly and saves us a lot of man hours, so we're very pleased with it."

But the biggest benefit as far as Neil is concerned is the reliability the Toro fleet gives. "As any manager will tell you, having more machines in the workshop than out is not good for business'' he concludes. "The equipment gives us superior reliability and, along with the strong dealership network support provided by Henderson Grass Machinery and Lely UK, we at Fairmont are more than happy to continue our relationship with Toro.''

For more information on Toro machinery, contact your local Toro dealer. Alternatively, call distributor Lely UK on 01480 226800 or visit www.toro.com.

Image caption: Pictured front row from left are: Scott McNeil from dealer Henderson Grass Machinery, Neil Ballingall, Lely's George Macdonald and head greenkeeper Grant Stewart, with the greenkeeping team looking on

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