Staff at Donegal Golf Club on the west coast of Ireland have realised significant benefits from the purchase of a Jacobsen Eclipse 322 hybrid green mower.

Improved putting surfaces and lower fuel bills have been highlighted as particular benefits by the five-strong team of greenkeeping staff at the club on the Murvagh peninsula.

John Gallagher, links superintendent and a staff member at Donegal Golf Club for 33 years, elaborated on some of the benefits the Jacobsen mowers have brought. “We’ve chosen to have the recently introduced 15-blade reel in the cutting units, which gives us a maximum of 1,230 cuts per metre, if required,” said Gallagher. “Being able to lock in the cuts per metre is another benefit as it means that all the greens are cut to exactly the same criteria. I’ve increased the height of cut from 3.2mm to 4mm without any adverse effect on speed and might even get it up to 5mm later in the season.”

The club, whose 18-hole championship course was designed by the late Eddie Hackett, purchased the mower from Jacobsen dealer Brodericks.

“We were the first club in Donegal to get an Eclipse and more have followed; the fuel savings are impressive and, personally, I think it’s the best mower for greens as the quality of cut is close to perfect,” concluded Gallagher.