Two new Jacobsens for Ralston GC

Wednesday, 26 June 2024

A timely arrival of two new Jacobsen mowers to Ralston Golf Club, in Paisley, has significantly improved early morning cutting for all six of their greenkeeping staff.

Course Manager, Andy Orr, welcomed a new Jacobsen 360 ELiTE Lithium ride-on greens mower and a GP400 versatile ride-on reels mower in April. Both machines were purchased with service contracts from Fairways GM.

The new ELiTE replaced an older diesel version while the GP400 is an added machine to sit alongside their existing GP400, increasing their Jake fleet from two to three.

“Our shed and compound is really close to neighbouring houses and gardens,” began Andy. “The practice putting green is also nearby, so we are mindful of noise.”

“Until the new ELiTE arrived, the earliest we could cut the putting area was 07.00 am. With members arriving and then waiting on us to finish, most days it created a bit of a bottle neck. Going lithium means the putting greens are done first at 5.00 am on the weekends, and at 5.30 am through the week. The team can then set off around the holes, following a more natural order, and it just works better for everyone: golfers, greenkeepers and neighbours.

Andy, who has been at Ralston GC for four years, started using Jacobsen fleet in 2012 when he joined The Ohio State Program in the US and spent time in Florida. He used them again during a two-year spell at Drumpellier GC and then for six months at the Royal Sydney GC, Australia.

“Greenkeeping has helped me travel and throughout I’ve been able to use lots of manufacturers’ mowers. When I joined Ralston the previous Eclipse and the GP400 were in place already. I’ve become accustomed to Jake, so it was an easy decision just to upgrade.

“The GP400 is for tees, approaches and we’ll use it on the greens with our verti cutting units. The big bonus with the GP400 is its three-wheel drive. Ralston is a reasonably level parkland course, but the 1^st and the 18^th have much steeper inclines. The quality of cut is every bit as consistent on this more difficult terrain and it’s both comfortable and easy for the team.

Stuart Cameron, Area Sales Manager at Fairways GM provided sales support and installed the machines at the James Braid- designed course.