Simon Askew is course superintendent at Williamson and Titoki Golf Course in Whangamata, New Zealand’s most popular beach town. He has been in charge for about a year and a half and runs the Trimax Snake across the club’s 18-hole and nine-hole courses.
First Impressions Matter
Simon’s first experience with the Snake mower was eye-opening. “I was blown away that it was actually being used on the fairways,” Simon recalls. After his first try, it quickly became a favourite. “It’s one of the best mowers I’ve ever used,” he says. With consistent results that keep the club’s 800 members happy, the Snake has certainly made its mark.
Saving Time on the Course
Time is a precious resource on any golf course, and Simon has noticed significant improvements in efficiency since switching to the Snake. “We can comfortably get the fairways cut—18 holes in six hours, or seven if there are a lot of golfers out.” For the nine-hole course at Williamson, the process has been streamlined to just an hour and a half to two hours. The speed at which the Snake operates has dramatically sped up course maintenance, allowing more time for other critical tasks.
Quality Finish, Minimal Effort
One of the standout features of the Snake is its ability to deliver exceptional striping results. “The design, featuring rollers at both the front and back, ensures that the course looks great without the need for additional adjustments.”
Feedback from club members has been overwhelmingly positive. The Williamson course, which is undulating and sand-based, has even started to smooth out, thanks to the consistent cut from the Snake. “We’re just blown away by how good it is—it’s a fantastic bit of kit,” Simon adds.
Simplified Maintenance
Maintaining the Snake has been an easy task, which is one of the key reasons Simon is so enthusiastic about it. “Maintenance has been an absolute breeze,” he says. “All the grease points are easily accessible, and we haven’t even sharpened the blades yet, despite using them for about six months.” This low-maintenance design means the team can spend less time servicing the machine and more time out on the course.
A Solid Investment
When asked if he would recommend the Snake to other clubs, Simon’s answer was a resounding yes. “I’d recommend this mower to any country club or golf course out there,” he says. With the ability to switch between fairway and rough cutting in just five to ten minutes, the Snake offers unmatched versatility. Whether it’s a nine-hole or an 18-hole course, Simon believes the Snake is up to the task.
Looking Ahead
Simon is already thinking about the future and has no doubts about what mower he would choose next. “When it comes time to replace the Snake 320, I’d hands down go for another brand new one,” he concludes.
