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Toro Turf Tour
oyal Adelaide Golf Club holds a unique place in the Australian golfing landscape. Its layout is quirky, the club is fiercely traditional and is renowned for its spectacular terrain and superbly presented turf surfaces. Set to celebrate its 125th anniversary in 2017, it was the great Alister MacKenzie who really put Royal Adelaide on the map after visiting the course for a few short days back in 1926. During that trip he recommended a raft of changes to the original design of Gardiner and Rymill, with the end result being the likes of the short par four 3rd and the Crater hole (11th) which rank among some of the classic holes in world golf. Since November 2011 Royal Adelaide has been under the custodianship of course superintendent Nathan Bennett. Schooled at Metropolitan Golf Club before stints at Moonah Links and The Sands, Torquay, Bennett has honed his craft over more than 20 years and has quickly left an indelible mark since arriving in South Australia. Anyone who has visited Royal Adelaide in recent times will attest that course conditioning has never been better and together with the work of the club’s appointed course architect Tom Doak, Royal Adelaide is undergoing a renaissance. Playing a key role in Bennett’s course operations is Toro which is not surprising given the company’s national headquarters are less than a 10 minute drive away. Royal Adelaide’s association with Toro goes back many years and the club was actually one of the first in Australia to install the Site Pro
irrigation control system back in the 1990s. Since taking over the reins at Royal Adelaide, Bennett has further cemented that relationship and over the past four years has instituted a machinery turnover programme which is paying big dividends out on the course. There are many reasons why Toro is a great fit for Royal Adelaide, but for Bennett
there are a few key points why he and the club choose red. “I’ve used a variety of turf equipment over my career, but what separates Toro from everyone else is their service and back-up,” says the 39-year-old. “You’re dealing direct with Toro Australia, not a sales company that’s just there to sell you a piece of equipment and say see you later. Toro is prepared to do whatever it takes to help you out and they’re about serving and looking after their customers for the long-term. And that’s what draws people from the industry. “From an operator point of view – and you ask any of my crew – Toro equipment is very comfortable to use and the versatility is magnificent. What’s more, Toro is always looking at ways to improve their machines and are always open to feedback and suggestions from superintendents. “The other big thing for me and the club is that Toro is a massive supporter of Over more than 20 years in turf management, including the last four as superintendent at Royal Adelaide Golf Club, Nathan Bennett has come to rely on the quality of Toro machinery as well as the company’s exemplary after sales service and back up
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AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 18.2