TORO sets the standard at Long Ashton

n a bid to maintain the highest standards of quality on its 18-hole course, Long Ashton Golf Club, near Bristol, has signed a seven-machine Toro deal which has seen its mixed turf maintenance fleet become all Toro.

Head greenkeeper - and 1995 Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award winner - James Braithwaite, commented: "This new machinery is a step forward in bringing the course on even further. Reliability, back-up, support and quality all-round were key factors in our decision, and as I believe Toro is the Rolls Royce in the industry there was no doubt in our minds.

"I worked closely on this project with our course manager Ivor Scoones, who is retiring August 2007. We were offered a very competitive package deal by Toro, which will ensure we can keep standards really high for the foreseeable future."

Half parkland and half heathland, the Hawtree-designed course is ideal for the proficient golfer. One of its most striking aspects is a particularly tricky second hole, which involves guiding the ball over a road and into a quarry. This is unusual enough to be immortalised in the top 100 strangest golf holes!

"I couldn't have done all this without the excellent greenkeeping team here," James added, "or the support of Keith Carter from local dealer Handy Garden Machinery, who gives us a very high level of service."