One Year to Go: Jacobsen Mowers are Maintaining the Rio Olympic Golf Course

Jacobsen mowing equipment, built at the company’s manufacturing facilities in Charlotte, N.C. and Ipswich, UK are maintaining the Olympic Golf Course in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil as golf returns to the Olympic Games after a 112-year absence

After winning the exclusive supply contract for the mowing equipment, Jacobsen machines have been mowing the course for the past 15 months as construction finished and grow-in progressed.

Initially, 18 machines were delivered in June 2014 and included ECLIPSE2 walking greens mowers, ECLIPSE 322 hybrid-powered riding greens mowers, Greens King series walking greens mowers, SLF1880 and LF3800 fairway mowers, Turfcat out-front rotary mowers, TR3 reel mowers and GA30 greens aerators.

The course, which features natural vegetation, extensive bunkers, a lagoon and sandy, rough ground lining the fairways, is now completely grassed and well on schedule for the first test event. During the Games, it will host two 60-competitor tournaments with the women’s event following the men’s competition over a two-week period. It will accommodate 2,500 spectators in grandstands with space for a further 17,500 around the course.

The mix of grass species is an interesting one with Zeon Zoysia used extensively on tees and fairways, while SeaDwarf Seaside Paspalum is used on the greens and surrounds. Both species are drought tolerant and the Paspalum is also saltwater tolerant, which is important as the quality of the irrigation water will be variable.

By the time the first test event takes place early in 2016, a total of 35 Jacobsen turf maintenance machines will be employed at the course. During the Olympics, the course will be in constant use for 14 days and a team of Jacobsen technicians will be running the maintenance facility to provide 24-hour support.

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Englishman Neil Cleverly was appointed course superintendent in June 2013 and has worked closely with Gil Hanse, the course architect, whose design was chosen as the preferred option from eight high profile entries. Hanse was voted ‘Architect of the Year’ by Golf Magazine in 2009, the same year that one of his designs, Castle Stuart in Scotland, was considered to be ‘The Best New International Course.’

We are, once again, delighted to be involved in the Olympic Games as it continues a tradition that goes back over many decades. This is a particularly important relationship for us, as it marks the return of golf as an Olympic sport after more than a century, and it is sure to be one of the high-profile events at the Games. It’s also very encouraging to see the game growing in developing countries. – David Withers, President of Jacobsen

About Jacobsen
With over 90 years of experience in the turf maintenance industry, Jacobsen, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) Company, has built a legacy of precision craftsmanship, legendary quality of cut and unmatched expertise. Dedicated solely to delivering perfectly groomed turf, Jacobsen equipment is used on some of the finest formal turf areas across the United States and the world, through an extensive distribution network and the international Ransomes brand. Additional information about Jacobsen can be found at jacobsen.com.

About Textron Inc.
Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna, Beechcraft, Hawker, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, Textron Systems, and TRU Simulation + Training. For more information visit: www.textron.com.