Autonomous mowers help the Belfry maintain world-class conditions

September 8, 2026

Autonomous mowers help the Belfry maintain world-class conditions

Husqvarna CEORA® robotic mowers were praised by DP World Tour staff and players as work continued through challenging weather conditions at The Belfry Hotel & Resort, supporting the greenkeeping team in maintaining the Brabazon Course at its world-class best.

Autonomous mowers help the Belfry maintain world-class conditions

Autonomous mowing technology played a key role behind the scenes as The Belfry successfully hosted the 2026 Husqvarna British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo, with Husqvarna CEORA robotic mowers continuing to cut the championship fairways despite prolonged thunderstorms and heavy rainfall throughout tournament week.

The performance of the technology also attracted attention from DP World Tour staff and players, with several expressing interest in how the course was being maintained despite the challenging conditions and commenting on the quality of the playing surfaces.

“Tournament week brings significant pressure on the greenkeeping team, particularly when the weather doesn’t go to plan. What stood out was the consistency of the fairways throughout the week and the way the team continued to prepare the course to such a high standard,” said Ben Groutage, DP World Tour Tournament Director. “Husqvarna’s autonomous robotic technology provided an additional level of flexibility and support, enabling the team to keep mowing operations moving when conditions allowed and helping ensure the Brabazon remained in excellent condition for our players,” he added.

Six-time DP World Tour winner and Husqvarna Ambassador Marcel Siem added: “One thing that impressed me a lot, the fairways and greens held up brilliantly despite all that rain. Credit to the whole greenkeeping team and Husqvarna for that.”

With 16 CEORA units deployed across the Brabazon Course, the autonomous fleet formed an important part of the overnight maintenance operation, helping the greenkeeping team maintain consistent fairway presentation in conditions that would have made conventional mowing extremely challenging.

“In the past, such a vast amount of rainfall would have meant we had to re-think our maintenance operation, but with Husqvarna’s robotic mowers, we could keep track of the whole cutting operation,” said Angus MacLeod, Director of Golf Course and Estates at The Belfry.

“The robotic mowers performed exceptionally well and left very little visible marking, allowing us to maintain the presentation of the fairways despite the weather,” he added.

Supported by Husqvarna Fleet Services, mowing schedules could be adjusted at short notice around the weather and tournament tee times, allowing the fairways to be cut at the optimum time before the greenkeeping team commenced its work ahead of play.

Robotic mowers formed part of a wider Husqvarna technology deployment at The Belfry, which also supported maintenance of the driving range and short game area. The Belfry’s greenkeeping team also utilised a comprehensive fleet of Husqvarna battery-powered handheld equipment for detailed course preparation and presentation.

Designed for large-scale professional turf management, CEORA uses satellite-based EPOS® navigation to operate systematically within virtual boundaries. This same technology is utilised within Husqvarna’s residential robotics range.

Autonomous operation allows mowing schedules and designated work areas to be managed digitally, providing course teams with the flexibility to adapt cutting programmes around weather, playing schedules and operational requirements. It is this combination of innovative technology, precision and consistency that sits at the heart of Husqvarna’s Backyard Dreams initiative – a celebration of the connection between the grass cared for at home and the world-class surfaces seen in professional sport.

The same robotic mowing technology used by golf courses to help maintain consistently high standards is also available to homeowners. Husqvarna’s range of residential robotic lawn mowers helps consumers maintain beautifully presented lawns with minimal effort. Backyard Dreams brings that connection to life, highlighting the idea that world-class sport starts in the backyard.

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