Toro supports the Grove in top competition

Toro distributor Lely UK and local dealer AT Oliver & Sons have been working closely with The Grove to ensure the Hertfordshire course looks its absolute best for the World Golf Championships, American Express Championship, which tees off at the end of September.

For course manager Phillip Chiverton, the event has been a major focus for the past year and a half. The 18-hole course has seen some changes in preparation, which have included building new tees, narrowing fairway lines and changing rough lines to make the course more challenging - all planned in intricate detail with event organisers European Tour and the PGA.

"We've stepped up course maintenance as well, to ensure the turf is looking its very best for the competition," explains Phil. "We're a Toro course, and local dealer Oliver's and Lely agreed to provide us with a wide range of additional machinery prior to and during the event to keep the course up to scratch. Plus, Oliver's has given us two additional support staff in the workshop for a two-week period. This is a massive event for us, so Toro support is a major factor in making it a success."

Photo: The Grove greenkeepers with, front, from left, John Cockburn from AT Oliver & Sons, golf maintenance administrator Denise Newson, Phil Chiverton, Lely's Larry Pearman, and Charlie Glenister from Oliver's.