Ryder Cup 2010 & Toro (video) ?

When you’re playing for an audience of millions, every detail matters. That’s why the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, Wales, is counting on Toro equipment as it prepares to host the 2010 Ryder Cup. The resort has used Toro equipment exclusively since the early 90s and recently added a number of machines to its already extensive fleet.

“Major Event” Is an Understatement
The Ryder Cup is the third-largest sporting event after the Olympics and the World Cup, attracting a worldwide audience of over one billion. “To prepare and maintain the course to the very high standards required, we need continuity of product and reliability — you’ve got to have confidence in the product,” says the resort’s director of golf, Jim McKenzie. His crews will be counting on Toro mowing and irrigation solutions as they prepare for the event.

Blueprint for Preparations
“We have a tried and tested ‘blueprint’ for preparations — for example, our height of cuts will remain the same as for the summer for the most part,” McKenzie notes. His team will use Toro Reelmaster® 5410 mowers on the fairways, Reelmaster 3100-D mowers on the semi-roughs and Greensmaster® 1600 pedestrian mowers on the tees and approaches.

New Equipment Is Par for the Course
The 7,493-yard, par 71 Twenty Ten Course is the first in Ryder Cup history to be custom-built for the event. Following the opening of the new course, McKenzie added 11 new Workman MDX machines to his already extensive fleet. “They are outstanding at moving equipment and materials around, particularly getting mowing equipment across The Twenty Ten Course,” he says. McKenzie also bought two new heavy-duty Workman HDX utility vehicles to use for topdressing the greens, spraying and fertilizer applications.

It’s Getting Close Now
The Twenty Ten Course will be closed on September 6 for final preparations. “Everyone’s starting to get quite excited, but there’s still an awful lot of work to do both on and off the course,” McKenzie explains. In addition to his team of 40, he will have an extra 70 volunteers on hand and will rely on his Toro distributor, Lely UK, to supplement his machinery needs through its special tournament service.

Toro is proud to be a Preferred Supplier for the Ryder Cup through its relationship with Celtic Manor Resort. Play the video for a glimpse at the Twenty Ten Course, and be sure to catch the Ryder Cup October 1–3, 2010.