St. Andrews Links enters long-term partnership agreement with Toro
St. Andrews Links Trust has entered into a long-term agreement with the Toro Co., ensuring that Toro equipment and irrigation will be used to maintain all seven coursers for years to come.
The new contract names Toro as the official partner and provider of turf equipment and irrigation products to St. Andrews Links. It is the culmination of an extensive 18-month review process in which greenkeepers tested a full range of equipment from several competitive brands on all seven of the Links public courses. Based on the evaluations, Toro equipment emerged as the top choice.
The game of golf was first played in the early 1400s on The Old Course at St. Andrews – one of the oldest golf courses in the world. More than 230,000 rounds of golf are played on the seven courses each year, and St. Andrews has hosted The Open Championship 29 times since 1873 – more than any other course on the Open rotation.
Toro has been St. Andrews Links’ preferred provider for more than 15 years, and that choice has been validated once again by the recent contract review process.
“St Andrews Links represents the very essence of the game of golf, and we have a responsibility to provide players with an experience like no other,” says Euan Loudon, chief executive of the St. Andrews Links Trust. “The equipment we use plays an important role. After conducting a thorough evaluation and hearing presentations from all key suppliers, we determined Toro was not only the best choice to maintain the playing conditions we require, but also the best fit with our vision for the future.”
“To be selected as the official equipment and irrigation partner for the Home of Golf is more than a tremendous honor – it’s a historic event for The Toro Company,” said Richard Olson, Toro’s president and chief executive officer. “The people at St. Andrews Links have done their due diligence, and chosen Toro to help in their effort to deliver best-in-class course conditions. We are grateful for the opportunity, and excited to support them as they embrace the changing landscape of golf.”
Reesink Turfcare UK, formerly Lely Turfcare, Toro’s UK distributor, will supply, service and support the equipment and irrigation for St. Andrews Links.
Photo: Toro