MAIDENHEAD GC TEES UP FUTURE WITH ASCOT MOVE

PICTURED ABOVE: Course manager at The Maidenhead Martin Dearlove, right, with Reesink’s Paul Bell

After 130 years at its original site, The Maidenhead Golf Club has begun a new chapter following its relocation to Ascot, with major investment already underway to develop and modernise the club’s new course.

The move brings an additional 36 acres and a more demanding layout, alongside ambitions to elevate the club’s standing within UK golf. To support the transition, the club has committed to a comprehensive Toro machinery and irrigation package through Reesink UK, including a five-year rolling lease programme and a Toro Total Solutions Agreement.

Course manager Martin Dearlove said the relocation presented both opportunities and challenges as work begins to restore and enhance the course. Significant infrastructure improvements are already underway, including a £1 million fairway drainage project, planned bunker renovations and the installation of a new Toro irrigation system scheduled to begin this summer.

The club’s new Toro fleet was delivered ahead of the move in January and includes Greensmaster Triflex 3420 mowers, Reelmaster fairway mowers, a MultiPro 5800 sprayer, Workman utility vehicles, a ProPass 200 topdresser and, for the first time at the club, a ProCore 648s aerator.

Martin explained that the heavier clay-based soil at the new site made regular aeration essential to maintain playing standards and prevent waterlogging. Alongside machinery investment, the club has expanded its greenkeeping team from eight to 11 staff to manage the increased workload and ongoing development programme.

Attention will now turn to replacing the existing 35-year-old irrigation system with Toro Lynx Central Control and Infinity sprinklers across greens, tees, approaches and fairways. According to Martin, the upgrade will deliver the reliability and precision needed for the club’s long-term plans as it establishes itself at its new Ascot home