Proline H800 headlines latest Toro fleet deal at The Mere

By Alistair November 26, 2019 16:55 Updated

Versatility is a long-cited reason for many Toro machinery purchases, and that’s certainly the reason for The Mere Golf Resort’s decision to opt for the ProLine H800 in its latest Toro fleet deal which sees the brand’s relationship with the club reach 30 years.

Course manager John Quinn explains: “We’ve stayed with Toro for so long because they provide the most versatile and robust machines on the market, and whatever the terrain, the performance is always excellent. That’s why we decided to look at the ProLine H800 to help tackle leaf collection across our busy parkland course.”

The 18-hole, 6,882-yard, par 71 Championship course was created out of 150 acres of Cheshire parkland by James Braid in 1934. Now the surrounding mature trees provide not only considerable charm but a considerable amount of leaves to clear up!

Having been recommended the ProLine H800 and then seeing it in action, John requested a demonstration of the high-volume collector, which was organised by Cheshire Turf Machinery, and where the ProLine H800 certainly impressed.

L-R Peter McGreevy, Toro Sales Director, John Quinn, Course Manager and Mike Turnbull, Toro Regional Sales Manager and pictured next to the ProLine H800.
Mere Golf Club, in Knutsford, Cheshire, have signed another agreement deal with Toro. The club use a range of Toro machines and the ProLine H800 is one of their main machines.

“We have a tree lined course here, and as such we get a lot of leaves that need collecting. Particularly in winter when it’s wet, it can be a lot of work to clear up everything by hand,” says John. “We gave the ProLine the toughest test it will have here and organised the demo to take place in winter to see how it would cope in difficult conditions, and it really impressed us all.

“I’ve used a cut and collect machine before, but not one with enough capacity and power to pick up large piles of leaves, which was no issue for the ProLine. Plus, it will serve us well for core collecting after aerating and is agile enough to easily manoeuvre while cutting in and around the trees.”

The ProLine H800 is in good company in the club’s new fleet which includes five Workman GTX utility vehicles, three Reelmaster 3575-D mowers, and Greensmaster TriFlex Hybrid 3420. And the new fleet couldn’t have come at a better time with the club turning its focus this year to improving the playing surface and plant health.

“Last year was particularly trying with the weather,” says John. “This year we’re going to be doing everything we can to ensure the ultimate health and condition of the turf so no matter what conditions the weather throws at us, the turf is in the best position to cope and deliver the best play possible for our members. There was no doubt that in helping us do that would be Toro.”

And it’s not just versatility that appeals to The Mere in its enduring relationship with Toro, longevity of the machines is an attributing factor too. “We have some of our machines from the last fleet that we’re keeping,” says John. “They’re still in mint condition and working excellently, as a result we haven’t had to upgrade them which shows the value that Toro provides.”

It’s for those reasons that John “didn’t look anywhere else when renewing the fleet”. He concludes: “Obviously, I always have my eye on the market to see what’s out there, but in my heart, I knew it was always going to be Toro again to continue the good work at the club.”