Jacobsen AR522 wide area mower for community-orientated Dunning GC

Wednesday, 27 March 2024

The historical village of Dunning in Perthshire has a classic 9-hole golf course, quite literally in the centre of its community. Over the years as the village has thrived so too has the club.

Head Greenkeeper, Sandy Hunter, joined the club for a summer season 27 years ago when he left school. He was offered an apprenticeship and has chosen to remain ever since.

“It’s a particularly good place to be and bring up a family. The feeling of friendliness extends right through village to the club as well,” he said.

Considering Dunning has a population of around 1000 people, the club’s buoyant local membership of over 400 is seriously impressive. Visitor numbers to the course have doubled successively in each of the last three years.

With the majestic Ochil Hills as backdrop, the course has a stellar reputation for firm greens and well-prepared surfaces. Despite the wonderful surrounding countryside, the whole site is surprisingly level with only one major incline, however, two sets of medal tees give a fine 18-hole experience.

In November, Sandy took delivery of a nearly new Jacobsen AR522 wide area rotary mower from Mike Lindsay, Area Sales Manager, at dealers Fairways GM at Kinross.

“Our previous rough mower came to the end of its working life one weekend: the cost of repairs not justifiable so we had to jump to the second-hand market quickly.

“No one could help until we approached Fairways GM. Mike knew of a suitable AR522 due in a few months’ time. While we waited, he could lend an older version of the same machine to keep things going. The older machine promptly arrived, worked out well, and come November this newer version, arrived after PDI.

“Once temperatures start to climb it will be out regularly from May to September, and depending on the summer we get, it will be out at least three times a week maintaining semi rough, rough and banking around the course.”

Sandy and his part-time colleague, John McPhail, however, don’t just care for their fabulous ‘wee course’’.

They return the favour and the support the community gives them by volunteering to cut and attend the football pitch, the public park and a forest path around the village.

“The Jacobsen will get used for those duties, too. I’m one of the football coaches for the primary school. It’s easy to lower the height of cut with the Jake for the pitch. While I’m cutting it, I know our players get the benefit,” laughed Sandy.