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Bernhard Academy brings together Iceland’s leading greenkeepers

April 10, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Bernhard Academy brings together Iceland’s leading greenkeepers A delegation of 13 of Icelandic greenkeepers and turf technicians came together in Reykjavik for a training initiative delivered by the Bernhard Academy, marking a continued investment into professional development for the country’s turf care sector. The three-day programme was hosted at GKG Golf Club and led by […]

Wildwood Machinery the exclusive partner of Hampshire FA

April 10, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Wildwood Machinery the exclusive partner of Hampshire FA Wildwood Machinery and the Hampshire FA have announced an exclusive partnership, with the Winchester-based groundcare business set to provide all grounds maintenance machinery and equipment and service back-up. Managing director James Bastian says: “This is a moment of real pride for us as a Hampshire-based business. We […]

Bernhard Academy brings together Iceland’s leading greenkeepers

April 10, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Wildwood Machinery the exclusive partner of Hampshire FA

April 10, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

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Bernhard Academy brings together Iceland’s leading greenkeepers

April 10, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Bernhard Academy brings together Iceland’s leading greenkeepers

A delegation of 13 of Icelandic greenkeepers and turf technicians came together in Reykjavik for a training initiative delivered by the Bernhard Academy, marking a continued investment into professional development for the country’s turf care sector.

Bernhard Academy brings together Iceland’s leading greenkeepers

The three-day programme was hosted at GKG Golf Club and led by the club’s greenkeeping team, Course Manager, Guðmundur Árni Gunnarsson and Head Greenkeeper, Kate Stillwell, who recognised a gap in access to specialist technical education across Iceland.

By bringing together representatives from multiple facilities, the programme ensured that knowledge gained would extend well beyond a single venue, strengthening standards across Iceland’s turf care community.

Delivered by Barry Drennan, Programme Leader for Equipment and Technical Management at the Bernhard Academy, the initiative focused on bridging the gap between day-to-day course maintenance and advanced engineering expertise. Over three days, delegates undertook a mix of technical learning and hands-on application, working directly with machinery used in Iceland’s unique operating conditions and logistical challenges.

The programme covered key aspects of modern turf management, from precision spraying and machinery diagnostics to advanced cutting unit set-up and long-term fleet maintenance strategies, equipping attendees with practical skills designed to improve both performance and efficiency back at their home clubs.

Stillwell said the initiative was about creating access where it has traditionally been limited, and following progress TETO has already made over the years: “This training has been a great opportunity for Icelandic greenkeepers and mechanics. Our goal was to bring everyone together to provide access and hands-on guidance that is usually hard to come by. The feedback from the 13 delegates has been very positive. It’s clear that by coordinating this as a group with SIGI (The Icelandic Greenkeeping association) and supplier, Toro Iceland, this was a worthwhile investment in our greenkeepers and turf technicians. This training was about them.”

For the Bernhard Academy, the programme reflects on its wider mission to make high-quality technical education accessible to turf professionals around the world.

Drennan added: “It was a privilege to deliver this program in Reykjavik. The initiative Kate showed in coordinating greenkeepers from all over Iceland is what made this so successful. Access to specialised training can be limited there, so being able to bring this education directly to a motivated group of professionals is exactly what the Bernhard Academy is designed to do.”

The initiative highlights the growing importance of collaboration in raising industry standards, with Iceland’s turf care professionals demonstrating how a collaborative approach to training can deliver benefits on a national scale.

Bernhard Academy continues to support industry leaders like GKG, helping to drive progress through accessible, expert-led education worldwide.

To learn more about the Bernhard Academy and its educational offering, visit: www.bernhardacademy.co.uk

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Wildwood Machinery the exclusive partner of Hampshire FA

April 10, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Wildwood Machinery the exclusive partner of Hampshire FA

Wildwood Machinery and the Hampshire FA have announced an exclusive partnership, with the Winchester-based groundcare business set to provide all grounds maintenance machinery and equipment and service back-up.

Wildwood Machinery the exclusive partner of Hampshire FA

Managing director James Bastian says: “This is a moment of real pride for us as a Hampshire-based business. We really feel the prestige of working with the Hampshire FA, who are serial winners of Awards from the Grounds Management Association.”

Isabella Pearson, Commercial Manager at Hampshire FA, said: “Wildwood Machinery has already brought vital specialist support and expertise to our network of unsung heroes – the groundskeepers and volunteers who work tirelessly to maintain playing surfaces across the county.”

“State-of-the-art groundcare equipment and reliable service are so valuable to grassroots and league football clubs. This exclusive partnership is a key part of our objective of raising the standards of playing surfaces across the county”.

James Bastian added: “The Hampshire FA Partner Network does great work with the sporting community, investing hundreds of thousands of pounds in grassroots football, acting as a hub for the county’s business community, and connecting a wide range of local organisations.”

“We are also helping community clubs unlock vital funding for groundcare equipment by supporting them with applications to the Football Foundation,” says James Bastian. “Funding applications can be quite demanding for grassroots clubs, and so we’re very happy to bring our own resources and expertise to the task.”

As part of the agreement Wildwood Machinery offers a reduced hourly labour rate for groundcare machinery servicing and maintenance, and discounted prices on groundcare equipment purchases.

“With our background in golf club ownership in Hampshire, and our current customer base that includes both elite and community sports clubs, we can bring the latest groundcare equipment, technology and knowledge to the local sporting community.”

Wildwood Machinery partners with the leading brands in groundcare – including Iseki, Wessex, Stogger Turfcare, GKB, DW Tomlin, DeWalt, ECHO Robotics, INFINICUT, Raymo and Rovimo – and offers high-level mobile and workshop servicing support from its base at East Horton Golf Club in Eastleigh, Hampshire.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

Bernhard Academy brings together Iceland’s leading greenkeepers

Wildwood Machinery the exclusive partner of Hampshire FA

Bernhard Academy brings together Iceland’s leading greenkeepers

Wildwood Machinery the exclusive partner of Hampshire FA

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Bernhard Academy brings together Iceland’s leading greenkeepers

Bernhard Academy brings together Iceland’s leading greenkeepers

Wildwood Machinery the exclusive partner of Hampshire FA

Wildwood Machinery the exclusive partner of Hampshire FA

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