Slaley Hall turns to Otterbine for Matchroom Tour Championship

By Alistair June 15, 2022 07:50

Slaley Hall Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort in the Northumberland countryside became a first-time Otterbine customer ready for the Matchroom Tour Championship last October, with one of the brand’s most popular products on full display.

The club invested in a 1HP Sunburst aerating fountain to fix the weed and algae problem, add a decorative display to the lake at the fifteenth hole and complement the beauty of the famous tree-lined fairways on the Hunting course, one of its two PGA-standard 18-hole courses.

With a brief to find a product to solve a problem and bring beauty to his waterscape, course manager Neil Smith didn’t hesitate to turn to distributor Reesink Turfcare: “I’d used Reesink in the past and get on well with Pete Newton from the water division, who recommended the product and helped a lot getting the fountain in time for the event and making sure everything was right.

“I knew about the brand and knew they were very good, reliable products,” he continues. “Slaley Hall already had a full fleet of Toro machines and Toro irrigation from Reesink so it seemed like the sensible choice to make, going back to them for this. I told Pete exactly what I was looking for and he recommended this model. It has served us very well.”

The Sunburst is one of Otterbine’s most sought-after fountains, not only for its classical spray pattern that suits most venues, but also for its impressive oxygen transfer rates and pumping power (up to 237 cubic metres per hour in as little as 75cm of water), which are some of the highest in the industry.

“The lake is definitely clear from weeds, which has helped with the visual aspect,” says Neil. “The shape of the fountain is exactly what we wanted and provides a very striking display for golfers, adding to the whole experience. We’ve had very nice comments from guests about the way it looks so it’s a great addition to the course.

“I’d done some research beforehand and it does everything it says on the tin, it’s a good line,” he claims. “The timing system, especially, is very useful – we don’t have it on 24/7, which saves on running costs and water and helps us stay sustainable. We haven’t had any issues with it, it’s all gone very smoothly. And I know from working with Reesink in the past that if needed their back-up is great and they respond quickly, so we’re never worried.”

Now that he has tried Otterbine and experienced the benefits, Neil already has plans for more additions to the club. But for now, he and the team will have their hands full preparing for the season and the 2022 PGA Professional Championship in June.

“I’m interested in adding more Otterbine products to the course in the future as I find it’s an important aspect to consider in the business,” Neil continues. “The pH levels of the water can change quickly so you need that maintenance and extra step to keep everything balanced. The fact that they’re aesthetically pleasing is a big bonus and helps maintain a professional, put-together image. We’ll be progressing that after the tournament.”