Having seen vast improvements in efficiency since the installation of a Toro Lynx control system four years ago, Royal Cromer Golf Club has now invested in ten Toro machines.
Royal Cromer was one of the first courses in the UK to fully upgrade to a state-of-the-art Toro Lynx control system and course manager Mark Heveran says his experience of it has been such a positive one he turned to Toro machinery when the need arose for some new equipment.
Course manager Mark Heveran says he has found the MultiPro’s shrouded boom option provides 75 percent more opportunities to spray
However, Mark says it was Toro’s technological features that really clinched the deal. He says, “The advancement of technology in Toro’s on-board computer systems allows for greater variation in mowing. The speed of our Reelmaster 5510s’ reels can be adjusted according to moisture levels within the grass. This protects the cylinders, makes the mower more adaptable in drought conditions and results in a consistent finish.”
The club’s dedicated MultiPro 5800-D sprayer boasts an on-board computer, which Mark says is “undoubtedly the best piece of Toro equipment” he’s bought. With the on-board computer the operator has more control over the application rate and, from the moment you programme the machine, the same spray rate is maintained. This isn’t altered by speeding up or slowing down the machine, providing you stay within the parameters of the nozzles.
“Our sprayer also has the optional shrouded boom, a cover that surrounds the spraying nozzles to deflect and protect the flow of spray from the wind which, being a windswept cliff top course on the North Norfolk coast, is a major design advantage for us. This addition gives us 75 percent more opportunities to spray, which is a tremendous improvement and makes our annual chemical and nutrient programme far more achievable.”
The club’s two Workman GTX utility vehicles have become firm favourites for Mark, due to their quiet operation and long battery life. “The GTX’s are great,” he says. “They’re really quiet so when the greenkeeping team are out and about in them, players aren’t disturbed by noise.”
The Toro equipment has been in use for a full season at Royal Cromer and Mark reports positive feedback: “The lads in my team love the machines as they all have good suspension and provide a very comfortable operator experience. The reliability is superb and, as we’ve had no real problems with them, we will consider investing in Toro again in the future.
