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Frilford hosts water and sustainability summit

April 13, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Frilford hosts water and sustainability summit In the run up to Earth Day, Frilford Heath Golf Club has hosted a Water & Sustainability Summit, bringing together leaders from across the UK golf industry to help the club plan a water strategy for a dramatically changing climate. Water usage and conservation have become critical issues for […]

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 […]

Frilford hosts water and sustainability summit

April 13, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Bernhard Academy brings together Iceland’s leading greenkeepers

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

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Frilford hosts water and sustainability summit

April 13, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Frilford hosts water and sustainability summit

In the run up to Earth Day, Frilford Heath Golf Club has hosted a Water & Sustainability Summit, bringing together leaders from across the UK golf industry to help the club plan a water strategy for a dramatically changing climate.

Frilford hosts water and sustainability summit

Water usage and conservation have become critical issues for golf clubs across the UK; with recent government and Water UK estimates suggesting that £60 billion is required nationwide for reservoir investment to prevent significant water shortages by 2035.

The water summit at FHGC served as a landmark occasion to examine how the 450-acre estate near Oxford, which is GEO-certified, can lead the way in sustainable course management. GEO Certification is a globally recognised benchmark for sustainable golf operations, issued by the Golf Environment Organisation.

Kevin Murray, Chairman of Frilford Heath Golf Club, commented: “Our Board is constantly analysing wider trends and demographics to maintain our position as one of England’s great golf club experiences, and being able to present excellent courses on a consistent basis is one of the biggest challenges we face in a climate that often gives you very wet winters and hot, dry summers.

“The experts at our Water & Sustainability Summit offered reassurance that we are on the correct path. They were able to show us that we are well-positioned to manage our own water resources now and in the future.”

The club continues to undertake significant actions to ensure the estate remains weather-resistant, supported by a recent £2.6 million investment across its three championship courses.

Worryingly, the industry experts believe not enough golf clubs are taking proactive action to manage the climate challenges ahead. In this testing landscape, they believed Frilford Heath is in the top 5% of golf clubs in the UK for its proactive management of water resources.

They cited the club’s success in precision resource management, headlined by a purpose-built on-site reservoir that stores winter rainfall for use during summer months. This infrastructure is further supported by new, app-controlled TORO irrigation systems on the championship Red and Blue Courses at the club.

The forum was attended by a select group of industry stakeholders, including England Golf, the sport’s governing body for amateur golf, BIGGA, the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association, Irritech, independent irrigation consultants, Agrovista, agronomy and crop protection experts, and Toro, a global golf course equipment supplier.

Paul Sheather, Director of Courses & Estates, added: “Water conservation and sustainability are top priorities for Frilford Heath. Balancing course conditions with the expectations of members and customers is challenging given the increasing frequency of extreme weather events. But, working together, employing best management practices and investing in innovative solutions puts us in the best position possible.”

Set within 450 acres of naturally beautiful heathland terrain that includes a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Frilford Heath remains one of England’s favourite golf destinations. The club was recently selected by the R&A to host this year’s Women’s and Men’s Senior Amateur Championships.

Summit attendee Andy Brown, Senior Sales Manager/Global Business Development at TORO, and club member, said: “This was an important opportunity to engage on the practical challenges of water security and long-term land management. As a long-standing member, I have a personal interest in seeing the courses maintained to the highest levels; and from a professional standpoint, it is vital to see how clubs can successfully align operational efficiency with environmental responsibility.”

Chairman Kevin Murray said the club is now discussing hosting a wider industry summit of experts and golf club managers to further the industry’s ability to manage challenging water issues.

For further information about the club, visit: www.frilfordheath.co.uk

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

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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

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

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Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

Frilford hosts water and sustainability summit

Bernhard Academy brings together Iceland’s leading greenkeepers

Frilford hosts water and sustainability summit

Bernhard Academy brings together Iceland’s leading greenkeepers

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Frilford hosts water and sustainability summit

Frilford hosts water and sustainability summit

Bernhard Academy brings together Iceland’s leading greenkeepers

Bernhard Academy brings together Iceland’s leading greenkeepers

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