Where the old benefits from new

With more than its fair share of Britain’s ancient Oak and Sweet Chestnut trees, some in excess of 600 years old, Stoneleigh Deer Park Golf Club, just outside Coventry, is arguably one of the prettiest and most historically adorned golf courses in the country. Because of its Grade II listing, strict regulations limit any radical changes to the course, which has few bunkers but lots of undulating tracts and tricky greens, challenging enough for even the most capable golfers.

As a proprietor-owned facility with an 18 hole Tantara course and a Par 3, 9 hole course, the club boasts a permanent membership of around 500, with many visiting players and private events on a year-round basis. Owner, John Reay, himself a Golf-pro and proprietor of the renowned John Reay Golf Centre in Keresley, took over the Stoneleigh club in 1996 and invested heavily to maintain existing traditional deer fencing and resources that have resulted in a first-class facility.

“Our main priority is to maintain the unique and historical facilities of this beautiful English parkland, while at the same time providing a very high quality and thoroughly challenging golf course, commented John Reay. “We also hold a wide range of corporate events and even have an annual programme to raise funds to support special charities such as Fight for Sight of which HRH Prince Andrew is the Patron and Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital. We feel it’s right to help others who are less fortunate than ourselves.”

With quality, year-round playing conditions being essential, whatever the weather, Head Green-keeper, Richard Biggs who has been with Stoneleigh Deer Park Golf Club since 1999 is on top of his game and has chosen high-quality mowing equipment to provide the ultimate finish.

“Nothing comes under more scrutiny than our greens. Not only do we need to provide the ultimate playing conditions for our members and visitors, day-in, day-out, said Richard, “but we also have a significant responsibility when it comes to the environment. Working amongst the oldest oaks in Warwickshire, we have to consider every aspect of our actions and how it might impact on these giant trees and these beautiful surroundings.”

Richard and his team of four full-time and one part-time staff elected to use John Deere professional golf machinery from their local dealer Tallis Amos Group (TAG) near Evesham. In May 2015, they purchased two additional John Deere 2500E Hybrid Riding Greens Mowers after having used two 2500As for the previous nine years - which had proven their reliability, but the new hybrids were a step-up in all directions.

“With these new John Deere hybrid mowers, we have eliminated the potential for hydraulic hose failures, downtime and oil pollution, which can happen if a hose breaks. On the older machines there were at least 102 potential failure points. Instead, added Richard, “that’s all been eliminated. These new John Deere hybrids power the cutting reels by electricity, generated by the engine and this has numerous benefits. Firstly, the speed of the cutting cylinders is constant and set to give the very best finish. It also means we have much less maintenance to carry out and, the engine speed is less than on the previous hydraulic versions and we have found that fuel savings have been as much as forty per cent over the older models. Therefore we are drastically reducing emissions pollution.”

The greens mowing team start at 6.00am every morning and are generally finished with the entire course within 2.5 hours. The rough is cut using a Tri-Max Snake and usually set at about 55mm.

“These new John Deere mowers are fantastic, enthused Richard, “but unless we have the dealer back-up, there would be no benefit. With TAG, we have the best of both worlds. Firstly, their parts service is excellent and they have most wearing parts and consumables on the shelf. If we needed a component that was not in stock, they could get it for us overnight ready for the morning shift. Their sales manager Richard Lucas has always been supportive of us and does everything he can if we need help or assistance. I really can’t ask for more than the best equipment and the best after-sales back-up from TAG, because that quality is reflected in the way we serve our membership.” he concluded.