Tag Archive for: Academy

GroundsFest and GroundsFest Academy to Exhibit at BTME

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GroundsFest and GroundsFest Academy to Exhibit at BTME: GroundsFest and the GroundsFest Academy will be exhibiting at BTME 2026 for the very first time, marking an important milestone for the fast-growing event and its year-round education programme.

Visitors can find the GroundsFest team on stand 233, where they will be showcasing what makes GroundsFest a must-attend date in the industry calendar, as well as raising awareness of the GroundsFest Academy and its commitment to education and skills development.

GroundsFest and GroundsFest Academy to Exhibit at BTME

GroundsFest and GroundsFest Academy to Exhibit at BTME

The appearance at BTME follows an announcement earlier this year confirming a new collaboration between The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA), organisers of BTME, and GroundsFest. The partnership is designed to strengthen both events while bringing together professionals from across the grounds care, landscaping and golf sectors. As part of this growing relationship, BIGGA exhibited at GroundsFest for the first time in September, making GroundsFest’s debut at BTME a natural next step.

BTME provides an ideal platform to introduce GroundsFest to an even wider greenkeeping audience. Taking place at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire on 16 and 17 September, GroundsFest has quickly established itself as a unique industry event, welcoming grounds staff, greenkeepers, landscapers, designers and architects, gardeners, local authorities, estate managers and contractors.

What sets GroundsFest apart is its distinctive format. The event combines indoor business and education opportunities with large-scale outdoor demonstrations, giving visitors the chance to see equipment, technology and techniques in action. After an action-packed day, attendees can unwind and continue networking at the show’s much-loved live music festival – a relaxed, informal environment that brings the industry together in a different way.

For many BTME visitors, the show will also be an opportunity to discover more about the GroundsFest Academy and what it offers. Created as a pathway for GroundsFest to give back to the industry, the Academy exists to invest in education and support the sector all year round. Its focus is on accessible, high-quality training that helps people learn, grow and stay inspired, whatever stage they are at in their career.

The GroundsFest Academy provides a platform for professionals, volunteers, students and newcomers to gain real-world knowledge and develop practical skills. A key aim is to raise awareness of career opportunities, attract new talent into the sector, and support the ongoing development of those already working within it.

The Academy delivers two distinct types of events. Inspire Events explore the key topics shaping the industry, while Focus Events take a deeper dive into market-specific challenges and opportunities. All sessions are CPD accredited and cover a wide range of relevant subjects, ensuring genuine value for attendees.

Exhibiting at BTME 2026 gives GroundsFest and the GroundsFest Academy the chance to connect directly with greenkeepers, encourage them to put GroundsFest 2026 in their diaries, and highlight the Academy as a hub where skills are shared, ideas are explored, and the future of the industry is strengthened through continued learning and collaboration.

For more information about the GroundsFest Academy, visit www.groundsfestacademy.com

For more information about GroundsFest, visit www.groundsfest.com

You can also follow GroundsFest on X, Facebook and Instagram @GroundsFest for much more news, reviews and insightful views

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Bernhard Academy champions leadership and development

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Bernhard Academy champions leadership and development: The Bernhard Academy strengthened its commitment to driving education and thought leadership across the golf and sports turf industries as it delivered two highly engaging workshops at the 2025 Women in Golf Awards, held on 27 November at Foxhills Golf Club, Surrey.

With 20+ delegates in attendance, the sessions formed part of the Academy’s wider mission to elevate industry professionals not only through technical growth, but also through essential management and people-development training.

Bernhard Academy champions leadership and development

Bernhard Academy champions leadership and development

Delivered by Phil Helmn MG, Programme Leader at the Bernhard Academy, the workshops explored how understanding different personality types can strengthen communication and teamwork, alongside practical insights into the behavioural drivers that influence performance under pressure. Delegates praised the relevance and accessibility of the content, noting the immediate value it could bring to their everyday roles.

Attendees represented a broad mix of roles, from greenkeepers and club managers to events teams, trustees, and board members – reflecting the growing demand for inclusive leadership development across the sector. Their feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with Dolores Brown, Head of Tournaments at Golfbreaks, commenting: “It’s so engaging, has a relaxed feel but also combines a lot of learning – without feeling draining or boring!”

Sami Strutt, Education Director at the Bernhard Academy, commented: “We’re incredibly proud that the Bernhard Academy is continuing to work with such respected organisations across the golf industry. Our mission has always been to help raise standards through learning, whether that’s technical development or supporting people to grow as leaders. Opportunities like this reinforce the value of investing in people and help to create a stronger, more confident, and more connected workforce for the future.”

The Women in Golf Awards celebrates achievement, provides education, and drives cultural change within the sport. Bernhard Academy’s contribution this year further reinforces its role as a leading provider of progressive learning experiences, helping professionals build stronger teams, improve communication, and unlock their leadership potential while continuing to support technical growth across golf and sports turf management.

For more information on the full range of programmes, courses, and development opportunities offered by the Bernhard Academy, please visit www.bernhardacademy.co.uk.

For bespoke training or tailored workshop requests, organisations can get in touch via www.bernhardacademy.co.uk/contact-us-bernhard-academy to discuss customised packages designed to meet specific needs.

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Bernhard Academy hosts successful turf care mechanics training

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Bernhard Academy hosts successful turf care mechanics training:  The Bernhard Academy recently held a highly successful three-day Fundamentals of Turf Care Mechanics – Level 1 training course at Moortown Golf Club, led by industry expert and Bernhard Academy course leader, Barry Drennan.

The course welcomed equipment technicians and turf care professionals for an intensive, hands-on learning experience focused on the essential mechanical skills required to maintain high-performance turf equipment. Over three days, delegates developed their knowledge of petrol and diesel engines, rotary blade sharpening and balancing, 12-volt battery systems, hydraulics, cutting unit setup and repair, electrical systems, and safety switch diagnostics.

Bernhard Academy hosts successful turf care mechanics training

Bernhard Academy hosts successful turf care mechanics training

Sami Strutt, Education Director at the Bernhard Academy, praised the success of the event, saying: “Courses like this are vital for developing the next generation of equipment technicians turf care professionals. Barry’s expertise and practical approach ensure that attendees leave with real-world skills they can apply immediately. Our Academy venue at Moortown Golf Club continues to be an outstanding location for delivering high-quality education.”

She added: “All delegates left extremely happy with their experience and rated the workshop five stars across the board. It’s wonderful to see such positive feedback from professionals who are passionate about enhancing their skills.”

Delegates also spoke highly of the course, describing it as “real-life hands-on training” and “a great class that’s ideal for both beginners and experienced technicians.” Others commented that “the class was very hands-on, so we got to physically do everything we were learning.”

The next Fundamentals of Turf Care Mechanics – Level 1 course will take place at Gleneagles, Scotland, from 11-13 November 2025. This follows the recent success of the Turf Technicians Conference hosted by the Bernhard Academy, further highlighting its commitment to advancing professional turf care education.

For more details and to book upcoming courses, visit: www.bernhardacademy.co.uk/courses

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GroundsFest Academy Shines a Light on Irrigation

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GroundsFest Academy Shines a Light on Irrigation: The latest free GroundsFest Academy event once again proved a huge success, this time focusing on Irrigation Maintenance in partnership with Origin Amenity Solutions (OAS).

Held at the impressive Throws Farm Research and Technology Centre in Great Dunmow, Essex – the heart of OAS’s research and development activity – attendees were treated to a day packed with hands-on learning, expert demonstrations, and practical advice. The facility, which boasts trial areas, greenhouses, and advanced turf analysis equipment, provided the perfect backdrop for a day dedicated to improving irrigation knowledge and techniques across the turf and amenity sectors.

GroundsFest Academy Shines a Light on Irrigation

GroundsFest Academy Shines a Light on Irrigation

The CPD-accredited event guided participants through the fundamentals of irrigation systems, installation best practices, troubleshooting, and the latest innovations in irrigation technology. Sessions were designed to be practical and interactive, allowing attendees to get hands-on experience and take away knowledge that could be directly applied at their own sites.

Peter Robin from Origin Amenity Solutions, who led several sessions, said: “My purpose today was to help people understand how to make their irrigation systems better. A lot of sites have old systems that aren’t performing as they should, leading to issues like dry patch and poor turf uniformity. With a better understanding of hydraulics, people can make small tweaks that make a big difference.”

The event attracted a wide range of attendees from across the UK — from schools and sports clubs to golf courses and local authorities — all eager to build their knowledge and share experiences.

Christian Bath, Grounds and Gardens Supervisor at Haileybury School, attended to build confidence in maintaining both new and ageing irrigation systems: “We’ve recently had a new system put in alongside an old one that’s not working so well. Today really helped me understand the troubleshooting side — how to identify problems at the source and resolve them without unnecessary disruption. These events are so valuable because they encourage networking and show that others are facing the same challenges.”

For Joshua Weir, Greenkeeper at Llantrisant & Pontyclun Golf Club, the accessibility of the

GroundsFest Academy stood out: “Being free opens it up to a much wider audience because not every club or individual can afford to travel or pay for events. I’ve got a book full of notes and once I explain how well the day went, I’m sure my boss will send me to more Academy events.”

The sentiment was echoed by Esteve Sanchez, Groundsperson at Fulham Football Club:

“Right now, at Fulham FC we have are having a massive extension of irrigation, and so it is good to enhance our irrigation knowledge. I think this is a brilliant initiative from GroundsFest – these Academy events help bring the industry together and build knowledge on several different topics.”

John Hall from Hertfordshire Bowls agreed: “Today was a fantastic learning curve. We’ve gained a much better understanding of the systems we use and how to eliminate problems. Networking with others has been educational in itself – it can even help you save money by understanding how to do things better.”

Reflecting on another successful event, Bradley Tennant, Director of Education at the GroundsFest Academy, said: “We’ve had a really good mix of people attend today, from football and golf clubs to bowls clubs and landscaping companies. It’s fantastic to see the diversity in the industry and the enthusiasm to keep learning. It’s been another brilliant day for the GroundsFest Academy – and we’ve got an exciting 12 months ahead, so watch this space!”

With each event continuing to attract strong numbers and positive feedback, the GroundsFest Academy is firmly establishing itself as one of the most valuable free learning resources in the grounds care and landscaping sectors — giving professionals and volunteers at every level the chance to expand their skills, share knowledge, and strengthen the future of the industry.

For more information, please visit www.groundsfestacademy.com

You can also follow GroundsFest on X, Facebook and Instagram @GroundsFestAcademy for much more news, reviews and insightful views

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

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Bernhard Academy powers ongoing growth

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Bernhard Academy powers ongoing growth: The Bernhard Academy, a leading centre of expertise for turf care education, has reinforced its reputation with two highly successful training events welcoming turf professionals from across the country.

Established to advance both technical and management skills, the Academy plays a pivotal role in supporting the industry’s workforce and strengthening standards across all areas of golf and sports turf management.

Bernhard Academy powers ongoing growth

Bernhard Academy powers ongoing growth

On 23 September, the Academy hosted its flagship Turf Equipment Technicians Conference, endorsed by the Turf Equipment Technicians Organisation (TETO). 23 technicians gathered for a full day of focused training and a behind-the-scenes tour of the Bernhard Company factory, gaining a unique insight into precision engineering in practice. The conference concluded with an inspiring session from James Breeze, who was recently selected to represent the Bernhard Academy as a volunteer technician at the 2025 US Open at Oakmont Country Club, sharing his experience of international collaboration in elite tournament preparation.

The following day saw the return of the popular Cutting Unit Set-Up and Sharpening Techniques course. The sold-out programme provided hands-on learning in one of the most critical aspects of turf maintenance, giving participants practical takeaways to apply immediately within their roles.

Sami Strutt, Education Director for the Bernhard Academy, commented: “The Bernhard Academy is about more than sharpening skills. It’s about preparing people at every level of the turf industry to meet the challenges of modern turf management. Whether it’s hands-on technical training or leadership development in operations and management, we want every delegate to leave us with knowledge they can put into practice right away.”

While the Bernhard Academy is renowned for its technical training, it also delivers a wide range of management programmes covering areas such as personnel, operations, and budgeting. These courses are designed not only for technicians and greenkeepers, but also for club managers and key stakeholders within golf businesses who want to strengthen leadership, improve decision-making, and maximise the long-term success of their venues.

Following the overwhelming demand for the latest technical course, turf professionals and club leaders alike are encouraged to secure their places early on upcoming Academy programmes to avoid missing out. For more information on future courses and events, visit: www.bernhardacademy.co.uk/courses.

The Bernhard Academy’s Education Director, Sami Strutt, also featured as a panellist at the 2025 Golf Business Expo. Strutt delivered a seminar for delegates about the challenges of attracting talented people to work in the golf industry, while also discussing the evolution of the Bernhard Academy.

To find out more about the Bernhard Academy, visit www.bernhardacademy.co.uk

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

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