Southampton-based dealer, D.J. Scott Garden Machinery, facilitated the recent sale of a Ventrac 4500 all-terrain compact tractor and Contour mowing deck to Dudsbury Golf Club, Hotel & Spa near Bournemouth.
The owners of the resort, Beate and Len Robinson, have supported long-serving head greenkeeper Warren Moss with the purchase to ensure the course stays in pristine condition. Replacing an old zero-turn machine and an ageing Toro Sidewinder, the club say the new package makes sound commercial sense.
Commenting at the recent handover of the equipment Warren Moss said, “We have an ageing fleet and we need to be smarter in how we purchase equipment in the future. The owners were very supportive when I made the business case and we are replacing two machines with one. Because of its versatility, we can add more attachments at a fraction of the cost of purchasing new dedicated equipment, so we should be able to upgrade more cost effectively, when we need to.
“I’d seen the media reports and watched some YouTube videos and even arranged a demo a couple of years ago. We had another demo recently, this time with the Contour deck and it performed extremely well. We use it on tee banks, green surrounds, bunker surrounds and can raise the height of cut to manage the semi-rough. Also, as it has a three-point linkage at the rear, we can mount our Sisis Twin Play with sorrel roller and slitter.
“My main reason for specifying this machine is its slope climbing ability. About a third of the course is on a flood plain, so can be quite wet in winter. Because of its light footprint in its eight-wheel configuration we will be able to get out during wet spells without damaging the playing surfaces.”
Set in 160 acres of undulating Dorset countryside just outside of Bournemouth, the Donald Steel-designed 6,904-yard, par 71 championship course features nine lakes and is bordered by the river Stour. It has hosted several prestigious events including the PGA Europro Tour, which featured on Sky Sports and the BMW PGA Order of Merit Championship.
Warren Moss, who heads a team of six, has been at the club for the past 12 years, the last six as Head Greenkeeper.
