Tag Archive for: Bernhard

Bernhard Academy to deliver new module for GCMA Programme

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Bernhard Academy to deliver new module for GCMA Programme: The Bernhard Academy has expanded its educational offering by becoming a training provider for the Golf Club Managers’ Association (GCMA) Advanced Management Programme.

As part of the Golf and Hospitality Operations section, the Academy will deliver the Golf Course Management for Golf Club Managers module, providing club managers with essential insights into the complexities of golf course maintenance.

Bernhard Academy to deliver new module for GCMA Programme

Bernhard Academy to deliver new module for GCMA Programme

Taking place from April 29 – May 1 at the Bernhard Academy venue at Moortown Golf Club, the first of these three-day courses is designed to equip club managers and senior leaders with a comprehensive understanding of the practices, people, and planning that underpin successful golf course maintenance.

Sami Strutt, Education Director at the Bernhard Academy, commented: “The Bernhard Academy team are experts in agronomy, technical, mechanical, and leadership development. This programme will help club managers better understand greenkeeping practices and the strategic importance of supporting their turf teams.

“A strong relationship between the club manager and the course manager is vital – not only for course conditions, but for aligning business goals with playing performance and understanding what makes the on-course side of the business tick,” she added.

The course will explore key themes including principles of turf management, environmental sustainability, golf course strategy and planning, stakeholder communications, capital planning, and budgeting. Aimed at decision-makers such as general managers, operations directors, and heads of golf, the programme provides essential insight into the operational demands and financial realities of managing a golf course – the main asset of any golf facility.

This marks a significant development in the Bernhard Academy’s mission to diversify its educational offering beyond greenkeepers and technicians, now supporting those in leadership roles who shape the strategic direction of golf clubs.

For more details on the GCMA Advanced Management Programme and to secure a spot, visit: www.gcma.org.uk/gcma-amp-certificates

To find out more about the wide range of agronomy, technical, mechanical, and leadership programmes on offer at the Bernhard Academy, visit: www.bernhardacademy.co.uk

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Bernhard & Company’s new Territory Manager for Turf Technologies

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Bernhard & Company’s new Territory Manager for Turf Technologies: Bernhard and Company, industry leader in grinding solutions and turf care technology, has announced the appointment of Jason Connaughton as its new Territory Manager for Turf Technologies in a brand-new role for the company.

Connaughton has an extensive career in golf turf, having started out as a greenkeeper in Ireland, then spending a year working in Australia at the Australian Club in Sydney. He eventually moved to the UK, becoming a qualified mechanic and eventually Golf Course Manager at Yeovil Golf Club, his most recent position before joining Bernhard and Company. His practical experience feeds directly into Bernhard’s strategy as a pioneer of data-driven technology solutions.

Bernhard & Company's new Territory Manager for Turf Technologies

Bernhard & Company’s new Territory Manager for Turf Technologies

“It’s really exciting to be part of the Bernhard and Company team,” said Connaughton. “The turf care industry is moving so rapidly towards data collection – it’s become such a powerful tool. With the products and technology that we are now distributing and selling, we can help turf managers both collect important data and understand how to use it to make smart decisions and operate in the most efficient way possible.”

Bernhard and Company is a driving force in the modern turf industry, which is embracing and harnessing the power of data collection. Connaughton’s role as Territory Manager for Turf Technologies means overseeing the array of Bernhard solutions, and working with companies like Maya Global that is pioneering the use of artificial intelligence for sustainable land management. Bernhard’s research also shows that 75% of turf grass problems occur beneath the surface, so understanding how to better manage those is crucial to turf management.

Bernhard and Company Turf Technologies and Solutions:

Soil Scout – Soil Scout provides the most advanced fully buried underground wireless soil sensors and monitoring solution for professionals in golf and sports turf maintenance. Details: https://bernhard.co.uk/products/soil-scout/

Maya Global – Maya Global provides an intelligent software platform for sustainable land management, offering real-time insights, task optimisation, and data-driven decision-making for golf courses, vineyards, parks, and sports pitches creating ultimate efficiencies. Details: https://bernhard.co.uk/products/maya

SubAir – SubAir is the world’s leading subsurface aeration and moisture management solution, designed to moderate and control environmental subsoil conditions. Details: https://bernhard.co.uk/products/subair/

TurfBreeze – The leading global name in sports surface aeration, TurfBreeze fans generate essential surface air movement to create high quality playing surfaces. Details: https://bernhard.co.uk/products/turfbreeze/

Connaughton cited Bernhard’s industry leading reputation as a vital factor in his transition to his new role, alongside his positive experience as a long-time customer of Bernhard in his previous roles.

“They are a great company with a solid reputation. You always want to work for a good business, and I’ve known them for years as industry leaders. Joining Bernhard felt like a natural progression for me.

“I’ve used Bernhard and Company equipment right from the beginning of my career. They are synonymous with excellent turf health. The turf technologies that they have more recently added to the offering are an integral part of modern turf management.”

To learn more about Bernhard and Company and the turf technologies on offer, visit: https://bernhard.co.uk/turf-tech/

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Bernhard Academy expands course offering

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Bernhard Academy expands course offering: The Bernhard Academy is expanding its Technical and Equipment Management training pathway with the introduction of two new courses, designed to enhance turf care professionals’ technical skills and equipment expertise.

The Basic Machinery Maintenance course is a one-day practical session ideal for those involved in the operation, supervision, or maintenance of turf care machinery. Attendees will develop fundamental skills in daily checks, adjustments, fault-finding, and basic repairs – ensuring optimal performance and longevity. The course will take place at the Bernhard Academy hub at Moortown Golf Club on 4 and 5 March.

Bernhard Academy expands course offering

Bernhard Academy expands course offering

For those seeking a deeper technical foundation, the Fundamentals of Turf Care Mechanics – Level 1 course six days of hands-on training. This comprehensive programme is designed for individuals looking to build or refresh their skills in essential service and fault-finding tasks. Delivered over two three-day sessions, the course runs at Moortown Golf Club from 11-13 and 18-20 March.

Both courses will be led by Barry Drennan, new Programme Leader for Technical and Equipment Management at the Bernhard Academy, alongside the expert team at Moortown Golf Club. With over 35 years of international experience in turf management, Drennan brings a wealth of knowledge, having qualified as a golf course mechanic in 1991 and worked with leading industry brands including Toro and Bernhard and Company. His career spans equipment sales, hire, training, and service, with involvement in major tournaments such as the Ryder Cup and Walker Cup.

Drennan commented: “Well-maintained machinery is the backbone of high-quality turf. These courses are designed to give turf professionals the confidence and technical skills to keep equipment performing at its best – ensuring precision, efficiency, and reliability. Whether you’re new to turf care mechanics or looking to refine your expertise, our hands-on training will provide practical knowledge that can be applied immediately in the field.”

For more information on the new technical training programmes, and all other courses available through the Bernhard Academy, visit: www.bernhardacademy.co.uk

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Bernhard and Company partners with Golf Turf Shop

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Bernhard and Company partners with Golf Turf Shop: Bernhard and Company, industry leader in grinding solutions and turf care technology, has announced a new partnership with Golf Turf Shop as its exclusive distributor in Finland and Estonia.

This strategic partnership will see Golf Turf Shop distributing Bernhard and Company’s precision grinding products, alongside a range of additional turf care machinery and solutions, to golf courses and sports facilities in both countries.

Bernhard and Company partners with Golf Turf Shop

Bernhard and Company partners with Golf Turf Shop

With a continuous commitment to exceptional customer service and expertise in turf care, Golf Turf Shop is a natural fit to represent Bernhard and Company’s innovative products in Finland and Estonia. This partnership further strengthens Bernhard and Company’s extensive distributor network across Europe and around the world, reinforcing its commitment to providing world-class turf care solutions to professionals globally.

Steven Nixon, Managing Director of Bernhard and Company, said: “We are delighted to welcome Golf Turf Shop to the Bernhard and Company network. Finland and Estonia open up interesting markets for us, and we are confident that the team at Golf Turf Shop will ensure our products reach turf care professionals who demand the very best. This partnership is another step in expanding our global footprint and delivering the sharpest, most precise turf care solutions worldwide.”

CEO of Golf Turf Shop, Emil Helenius, added: “Partnering with Bernhard and Company is a great opportunity for us and the Finnish market. We are excited to bring their innovative grinding technology and comprehensive turf care solutions to our customers, helping them achieve the highest standards in turf maintenance. This collaboration reflects our commitment to delivering cutting-edge products and exceptional service.”

For more information about Bernhard and Company and its distributor network, visit www.bernhard.co.uk.

To contact Golf Turf Shop, Finland, call +358 401 645409 or send an email to: info@golfturfshop.com

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Bernhard Academy appoints new programme leader

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Bernhard Academy appoints new programme leader: The Bernhard Academy, a global leader in turf care education, has announced the appointment of Barry Drennan as Programme Leader for Technical and Equipment Management workshops.

Coinciding with Drennan’s appointment, the Bernhard Academy has unveiled its new, innovative ‘Bernhard Academy Pathways’ for 2025. These structured learning tracks are designed to empower turf professionals by enhancing their skills across technical, agronomic, and managerial disciplines.

Bernhard Academy appoints new programme leader

Bernhard Academy appoints new programme leader

Barry Drennan joins the Bernhard Academy with more than 35 years of global experience in turf management, having started his career as a greenkeeper in 1987 and qualified as a golf course mechanic in 1991. He has since worked with leading brands such as Toro and Bernhard and Company, operated businesses specialising in golf equipment sales, hire, training, and service, and supported major tournaments including the Ryder Cup and Walker Cup.

Under Drennan’s leadership, the Bernhard Academy is introducing a range of new technical workshops for 2025 to form the core of its Technical and Equipment Management Pathway:

  • Basic Machinery Maintenance for Turf Professionals (NEW)
  • Fundamentals of Turfcare Mechanics Part 1 & Part 2 (NEW)
  • Grinder Refresher and Abrasive Wheels Training (NEW)
  • Cutting Unit Setup and Sharpening Techniques

The Bernhard Academy Pathways for 2025 offer comprehensive development opportunities, by combining numerous different workshops to create dedicated pathways for four different end goals:

  1. Leadership and Management Pathway
    1. Aspiring Manager
    2. Confident Manager
    3. Successful Manager Part 1 & 2
    4. Inspirational Leader
  2. Technical and Equipment Management Pathway
    1. Abrasive Wheel Safety Certificate
    2. Cutting Unit Setup and Sharpening Techniques
    3. Basic Machinery Maintenance
    4. Fundamentals of Turfcare Mechanics Level 1 & 2
  3. Agronomy Pathway
    1. Basic Agronomy
  4. Bespoke Programmes
    1. Golf Course Management for Golf Club Managers
    2. Customised training solutions tailored to client needs

Commenting on his new role, Barry Drennan said: “I’m delighted to join the Bernhard Academy at such an exciting time. I look forward to contributing my experience to provide valuable training in technical and equipment management skills to the industry.”

Sami Strutt, Education Director added: “We are delighted at the appointment of Barry Drennan. His knowledge, experience and skills have been fundamental in the development of the Technical and Equipment Management Pathway, which forms one of the three pillars of the Bernhard Academy. Barry’s enthusiasm and boundless energy will create an enjoyable and productive learning experience. The new pathways and workshops we are introducing will provide amazing opportunities for turf professionals to advance their careers and to shape the next generation of industry leaders.”

To find out more about the Bernhard Academy, visit www.bernhardacademy.co.uk, where you can view more information about workshops and educational pathways.

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

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