Alternative-fuel turf equipment now operating at 8 high-profile golf courses
Propane-powered turf equipment is now maintaining the fairways, greens and rough at eight renowned U.S. golf courses originally selected in the fall of 2014 to participate in an inaugural research program with the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC).
Beginning in early 2015, the equipment was rolled out to the courses over several months to ensure each course had a high level of support when the demo equipment arrived. The courses, chosen for their commitment to environmental practices, are recording 12 months of data with the leased propane-powered turf equipment, and early indications show that the equipment is making a positive impact.
“We couldn’t be happier with the reception the equipment is receiving by the superintendents and their staffs,” said Jeremy Wishart, deputy director of business development for PERC. “We are excited to see the final data from each course once the 12-month program wraps up, because many of the superintendents are already reporting significant operational cost savings with the propane equipment — some in the thousands of dollars range — compared with their gasoline- and diesel-fueled equipment.”
The courses included in the research program include:
- Stone Mountain Golf Club, Stone Mountain, Ga.
- Fernandina Beach Golf Club, Fernandina Beach, Fla.
- Marriott Desert Springs Golf Club, Palm Desert, Calif.
- The Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club, Petersburg, Fla.
- Columbus Municipal Golf Courses, Columbus, Ohio
- Reston National Golf Course, Reston, Va.
- George W. Dunne National, Oak Forest, Ill.
- Eagles Pride Golf Course, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
Each course received four pieces of R&R Products’ propane-powered equipment, including the Reel Max 331LP finish-cut reel mower, Reel Max 744LP 5-gang fairway mower, Greens Max 2200LP riding greens mower, and Sand Max 521LP utility vehicle. R&R Products is the first to manufacture and commercialize propane-powered turf equipment for the golf industry.
Audubon International recommended six of the eight golf courses selected from Audubon International’s 1,700 golf members nationwide to participate in the demonstration program. Having been chosen based on a commitment to sustainability, each of the courses is currently Audubon International certified, or in the process of completing its certification.
For more information on propane and propane equipment offerings in the commercial turf industry, visit www.buildwithpropane.com/golf.
