Toro For Trevose Again

Nick Gammon, managing director and third generation of the family who has owned the club since 1941, says he is always looking at ways to keep the Colt-designed course, which opened for play in 1925, moving with the times.

“We’re very much focussed on continuing the good work and vision of Harry Colt by making sure the course remains challenging and interesting for our golfers,” says Nick. “We made alterations to three of our holes last winter, will be doing another three this winter and will have done most of the holes across the Championship course in the next four years.”

With a Toro fleet already in place, and trusted for the job, when it came to adding to the fleet this year, Nick’s head greenkeeper Neil Ivamy and the 13 strong greenkeeping team looked no further than Toro. “Having invested in a fleet of Toro machinery in 2012 and everyone in the team happy with it, we knew we’d turn to Toro again when it came to purchasing new machines to help with the renovations,” he says.

Cherry-picked for this order were two Greensmaster TriFlex 3420 mowers and a Reelmaster 3550-D, chosen for its “smaller units and better contour control as well as its ability to handle the undulations which are a lot tighter now since the renovations”. Trevose is the first club in the South West to take delivery of this machine, introduced to UK Toro distributor Reesink’s range only this year.

Finishing the order are five Greensmaster Flex 2120 pedestrian mowers, which have been fitted with 14-blade reels. The first club in the country to opt for 14-blades, Nick says the decision was made to provide the ultimate finish. “We’ve had 11-blades in the past and the finish was excellent so it was decided to trial the difference in having 14-blades. I have to say having the 14-blades does take the finish to the next level.”

All this work comes in time to celebrate the club hosting the English Men’s County Finals in 2017. The club, which has in the past hosted The Brabazon Trophy and The McGregor Trophy, will also be looking to invest in the development of a new gym and spa facility. Nick finishes by saying: “The ultimate aim for any club is to keep members coming back whilst also attracting new tournaments and driving the golf and country club forward.”

Small alterations bring big improvements and are essential to keep up with the times. “As people get stronger, balls go further and golfing expectations increase, by constantly ‘tweaking’ the course and updating the wider services we provide, means we can be confident the club has yet another 91 years in it.”