March 30, 2023 - Turf Matters

Bernhard Academy launches educational workshops: The Bernhard Academy, the turf industry’s foremost education provider, has announced a pair of upcoming educational workshops designed to offer expertise on a range of key topics.

The Bernhard Academy will be running two, one-day courses, on Tuesday April 25 and Wednesday April 26, at its satellite training facility, at Moortown Golf Club in Leeds. The courses, designed for operators of cylinder mowers and anybody wanting to gain a better understanding of turf appearance through quality of cut, will operate on a first come, first served basis, with limited space available.

Bernhard Academy launches educational workshops

Director of Education for the Bernhard Academy, Craig Haldane, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for greenkeepers and grounds people from around the country to join us for a day of enlightening education. This facility at Moortown is a great space to come to learn, and enhance your knowledge of mower set up, the importance of grinding, and how to communicate with stakeholders.

“There are a great number of learning outcomes,” he added. “These include the agronomic benefits associated with quality of cut, best modern practices in mower set up, the skills to effectively communicate with your stakeholders, and what impact you have on the day-to-day running of the business.”

Attendees will be introduced to a wide range of information they can take away, while learning the correct way to set up units, depending on site conditions and/or turf species and time of year. They’ll better understand the principles of cutting units and be able to take control of their cutting unit maintenance regime by understanding the fundamentals of using grinders to get the best out of mowing equipment – ensuring the highest quality of cut year-round.

These one-day educational workshops are aimed at course managers, equipment managers, deputies, mechanics, greenkeepers, apprentices, and anyone who operates cylinder mowers and wants to gain a better understanding and appreciation for turf appearance through quality of cut.

Attendees can find sign up links below:

Sign up for workshop on Tuesday 25^th April – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/day-1-cutting-unit-set-up-grinding-perfection-communication-tickets-595859811737

Sign up for workshop on Wednesday 26^th April – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/day-2-cutting-unit-set-up-grinding-perfection-communication-tickets-591569198397

Alternately, to submit your interest in attending one of these workshops, email hello@bernhardacademy.co.uk

Both workshops will take place at Moortown Golf Club Maintenance Facility, The Fairway, Leeds, LS17 7PE. A light lunch will be provided between 12pm-1pm. Tea and coffee will be available throughout the day.

The Bernhard Academy will be launching further educational content, designed to offer the turf industry valuable information to take back to their facilities. A key part of this will include ‘The Bernhard Academy Leadership & Management Series’. This series of interactive and engaging workshops will provide guidance to those in supervisory, middle management, and senior management positions, supporting the transition through their careers.

For more information on the Bernhard Academy, head to https://www.linkedin.com/company/bernhard-academy/

You can find the Bernhard Academy on Twitter at @BernhardAcademy or on Instagram at @bernhard_academy

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BGL apprentice greenkeeper selected to work at The Open: BGL (Burhill Group Limited) is delighted to announce that a member of the greenkeeping team from its Abbey Hill Golf Centre in Milton Keynes has been selected to be part of the support team at this year’s Open Championship.

Sam Norman, who joined the BGL group and Abbey Hill in 2018, has been selected as one of just two apprentices who will join the support team at Royal Liverpool Golf Club in the week prior to the 151^st Open. At the event, he’ll share responsibilities such as hand-mowing Hoylake’s greens, before joining the famed bunker raking squad that follows each group during The Open Championship tournament days.

BGL apprentice greenkeeper selected to work at The Open

Norman’s selection further demonstrates BGL’s continued commitment to supporting staff development across the group, by providing its teams with the best opportunities to grow their skillsets and enhance their CVs.

“I’m very excited to head up to Royal Liverpool Golf Club for this summer’s Open Championship,” commented Norman. “To be selected as one of just two apprentices to join the greenkeeping team in July is a great honour, and I’m looking forward to having the chance to represent Abbey Hill and BGL, and hopefully learn a huge amount at such a high-profile event.”

Colin Mayes, CEO of BGL (Burhill Group Limited), added: “Everybody at BGL is extremely proud of Sam for being selected as one of just two apprentices to work at golf’s most historic event. We’re passionate and committed to supporting our staff in their endeavours to develop their careers. Whether it be via our internal learning platform or national programmes, we’re delighted to offer opportunities for personal and professional development and champion the success of our people.”

Since joining in 2018, Norman has grown to become one of Abbey Hill Golf Centre’s most valued employees. He secured a full-time role on the greenkeeping team in 2021, and his stellar efforts saw him recognised as Abbey Hill’s Employee of the Year for 2022.

In early 2023, Norman’s BIGGA membership gave him the chance to apply to be part of the greenkeeping team at The 151^st Open. He was one of more than 60 applicants and, following a conversation with Royal Liverpool Golf Club’s Links Manager, James Bledge, he was selected for the role.

The BGL group continues to be an industry-leader in personnel career development. The group offers an Online Training Academy platform, which contains more than one thousand training courses which are accessible to team members throughout the group. It also actively encourages employees to explore external development opportunities that they find interesting and feel will further their careers.

For more information on BGL (Burhill Group Limited), visit www.bglcompany.co.uk

For more information on Abbey Hill Golf Centre, visit www.abbeyhillgc.co.uk