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Smarter ground management starts with the right machinery
In modern golf course management, machinery plays an increasingly important role. Climate change, extended playing seasons and higher expectations regarding playing quality mean that greenkeepers today must work more efficiently and precisely than ever before. At Koninklijke Limburg Golf, manager Davy Driesen witnesses this evolution on the course every single day. By deploying Jacobsen Turfcare mowers, Kioti tractors and Wessex mowers, among others, the club invests heavily in performance, comfort and reliability.
Davy Driesen has been with Koninklijke Limburg Golf for 26 years now and is currently responsible for the overall management of the course. “I basically manage every aspect of the course”, he explains. “That ranges from machinery and fertilizers to personnel and the general day-to-day operations of the site.”
According to Driesen, the challenges within golf course maintenance have shifted dramatically in recent years. “Climate change has a massive impact. The golf season continues much longer into the year than it used to. This means increased pressure on the course and, above all, requires more attention to keeping the turf healthy and free from diseases.”
He emphasizes how their fleet of machinery plays a crucial role in this. “Machinery is everything in our line of work. Every single machine must contribute to grass quality and improve team efficiency.” For this reason, Koninklijke Limburg Golf makes a conscious decision to regularly upgrade its fleet. “In the past, we would occasionally replace one or two machines. Today, we choose to renew an entire lineup every seven years ensuring we stay at the cutting edge of technology.”
For the maintenance of the greens, the club uses Jacobsen Eclipse green mowers, among other equipment. It is particularly their silent operation which makes a major difference. “The noiseless operation is a huge advantage”, says Driesen. “We can easily mow a hole right next to playing golfers, without disturbing them at all.” Furthermore, the choice of electric mowers aligns perfectly with the club’s sustainable approach. Thanks to the solar panels on the estate, the machines can easily be charged and be ready for the next working day.
The Kioti Tractors also play a vital role in daily maintenance. The larger DK6020 is used to mow roughs in combination with a Wessex mower, while the more compact CK4020 is deployed for tasks like topdressing, irrigation and grooming fine turf areas. According to Driesen, the machinery primarily delivers massive efficiency gains. “Topdressing the greens used to be a much slower process. Where we used to need about five hours, we can now get the job done in just an hour and a half.”
He is also exceptionally pleased with the Wessex trailed mowers. “We used to work with a flail mower, but due to intensive fertilizing, it would regularly clog up. With the Wessex, we can keep working much more smoothly without constantly having to stop.”
In addition, service remains a decisive factor. “They work closely with both the greenkeepers and management to find solutions as quickly as possible. That makes an enormous difference in our day-to-day operations.”
