Liverpool, England: Open Championship venue Royal Liverpool Golf Club has invested in a Foley Company 633 Accu-Pro grinder.

As England’s second eldest links course Royal Liverpool, known also as Hoylake, boasts a rich history. The second English course to host the Open Championship in 1897, Hoylake staged the event on nine further occasions before a 39-year gap from 1967.

When the Open Championship returned there in 2006, Tiger Woods emerged triumphant. In 2014, it was Rory McIlroy who raised aloft the famous Claret Jug at Hoylake.

Course Manager Craig Gilholm has prepared Hoylake for multiple high-profile events, and grinding during that time played a significant role in course preparation and its condition throughout competitions.

Away from the course, Gilholm and his team have always tried to help local clubs with their grinding needs from other sports. Now with the new Foley from ProSport UK Ltd, they are better placed to achieve the highest standards of speed and accuracy for these activities too.

Gilholm said: “When Ian Robson (ProSport UK Ltd) introduced us to the Foley, we were already familiar with other grinders. Discovering how great the Foley is, is a reflection on Ian, who I have known since 1998. It was my confidence in him, my trust in his ability and the back-up service for the machines he sells that really sold it to me.

“For us, our grinder is the most important tool in the shed and reliability is all. That is why, when we change our bottom blade grinder, we will again be looking to Foley.

“We started to do a lot of maintenance work for other clubs, such as bowling and cricket, and it is important to us to deliver. In addition to our own 34 units, we are probably putting at least another 40-50 through the grinder from other sources and this is growing rapidly.

“One of the problems we have assisting smaller local clubs, is their equipment is old and not easily mounted in any grinder. Ian took this on-board and has developed an out of situ jig to accommodate a whole range of sizes, age and make of mower which can now be easily mounted in the Foley and the quality of the grind is always fantastic.

“Ian has shown an understanding of the issues we face, which is brilliant. His solution has proved invaluable and financially beneficial.”

The 633 ACCU-Pro comes with ACCU-Touch 3, an automated computer system that provides a step-by-step tutorial for new technicians and a quicker set-up and spin grind feature for more experienced operators.

You select the programme for the mower that you want to grind, and the Foley automatically spin or relief grinds to completion. Pre-programmed spin speeds, relief torque, and in-feeds are only a few of the features found in the ACCU-Touch 3 system that ensures efficiency and guarantees a quality grind with every use.

Foley is a Full Business Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.