Sakonnet Golf Club is "electrified" by Jacobsen Eclipse

Super says electric mower gives him 20 greens per charge.


Kirk Whiting with one of his Jacobsen Eclipse 322s at Sakonnet Golf Club.

 

Kirk Whiting, the long-serving superintendent at Sakonnet Golf Club, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean at Little Compton, R.I., is totally blown away with his all-electric Jacobsen Eclipse 322 riding greens mowers, recently purchased from local dealer, Steve Willand Inc.

“This is probably the best riding greens mower available today, especially this battery powered version, as it’s so quiet and unobtrusive around the course. The guys just love it, because all they can hear are the reels rotating, which means they can really concentrate on the job in hand,” he said.

Kirk, a former school teacher, has been at Sakonnet for 32 years, 30 of those as superintendent. He runs a team of 16, 11 full-time and five seasonal. Commenting on his greens mowing regime he added,
“They’re old greens, about 4,000 – 5,000 sq ft on average, and we double cut four times a week and roll them four times as well to maintain a fast speed. Then we do the clean-up pass with walkers.  I’ve got one machine with groomers, which stands the grass up and produces a great cut.

“We used to hand cut, but due to the economic climate we had to get smarter, make some savings but without losing quality. That’s why we bought these Eclipse 322s; they are really economical to run and we’re easily getting 20 greens out of every charge.

“My guys love them; the ergonomics are great and the adjustment in the control arm, the seat and steering makes sure that the mower fits them perfectly. However, I’m leaving the best to last. The supreme feature on this mower is the electronic frequency of clip control. It doesn’t matter who is operating the machine, what speed they’re mowing at, I know that every green will be cut exactly the same, not once, but every time it goes on a green. What more could a super ask for?”