Tag Archive for: Gleneagles

Bernhard Academy brings practical turfcare training to Gleneagles

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Bernhard Academy brings practical turfcare training to Gleneagles: The Bernhard Academy has announced it will be delivering two immersive turfcare training courses at Gleneagles Golf Club in Scotland this autumn, providing valuable hands-on learning for turf equipment professionals at all levels.

The first course, Fundamentals of Turfcare Mechanics – Level 1, will run from 11 to 13 November 2025. Over the course of three days, participants will receive in-depth instruction on machinery servicing and fault-finding, ideal for anyone managing turfcare equipment or seeking to enhance their technical confidence.

Bernhard Academy brings practical turfcare training to Gleneagles

Bernhard Academy brings practical turfcare training to Gleneagles

Following this, the Basic Machinery Workshop will take place on 17 November 2025. This one-day session focuses on practical daily checks, essential adjustments, and fundamental repair techniques. Both sessions aim to give greenkeeping teams and turfcare technicians the confidence and competence to manage their equipment more effectively.

Each course includes access to an online Abrasive Wheel safety awareness module, approved by the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management (IIRSM). This training aligns with HSG 17 guidance and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Attendees will also receive lunch and refreshments, a Bernhard Academy certificate of completion, and BIGGA members will benefit from course discounts and CPD credit eligibility.

Looking beyond Scotland, the Bernhard Academy continues to champion technical development across the industry. On 23 September 2025, the Turf Equipment Technicians Conference will take place at Bernhard and Company’s manufacturing headquarters in Haverhill. Endorsed by the Turf Equipment Technicians Organisation (TETO), the event brings together turf professionals from across the UK to collaborate, share expertise and celebrate the vital role equipment technicians play in turfcare excellence.

Sami Strutt, Education Director for the Bernhard Academy, commented: “These sessions at Gleneagles are part of our ongoing mission to empower technicians with the tools, knowledge and confidence to elevate their work. Whether you’re starting out or refining your craft, our aim is to offer relevant, practical education that helps people and their clubs thrive.”

The full autumn programme from the Bernhard Academy reflects a nationwide focus on skills development in turf equipment management, with further training scheduled in Haverhill and at Moortown Golf Club:

  • 23 September: Turf Equipment Technicians Conference (Haverhill)
  • 24 September: Cutting Unit Set-up and Sharpening Techniques (Haverhill)
  • 7 October: Basic Machinery Maintenance (Moortown GC)
  • 8 October: Cutting Unit Set-up and Sharpening Techniques (Moortown GC)
  • 21-23 October: Fundamentals of Turfcare Mechanics – Level 1 (Moortown GC)
  • 11-13 November: Fundamentals of Turfcare Mechanics – Level 1 (Gleneagles GC)
  • 17 November: Basic Machinery Maintenance (Gleneagles GC)

For more information on all Bernhard Academy courses, visit: www.bernhardacademy.co.uk/courses/

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Gleneagles state-of-the-art irrigation system

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Gleneagles state-of-the-art irrigation system: Gleneagles, the iconic Scottish hotel and global luxury destination, has commenced a state-of-the-art irrigation project on its Jack Nicklaus-designed PGA Centenary Course, former host to both the Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup.

The significant five-month project will further enhance playing conditions across the 18-hole championship golf course and will see the installation of a new, highly-efficient Rain Bird irrigation management system that will help reduce both water usage and power consumption.

Gleneagles state-of-the-art irrigation system

Gleneagles state-of-the-art irrigation system

Beneath the golf course, 24.5 miles of new pipework will be laid along with 33.5 miles of cabling, and 1,414 individual sprinkler heads will be strategically positioned so water can be applied more accurately over an eight-hour cycle, without the need to close the golf course.

Director of Golf at Gleneagles, Andrew Jowett, commented: “As we’ve come to experience prolonged dry spells in recent years, our significant investment in the latest irrigation technology will ensure we’re fully prepared to maintain the golf course to the very highest standard in the years to come.

“From a practical perspective, the new system will allow us to irrigate every mown area of the course, including greens and surrounds, tee complexes, approaches and fairways, under the control of individual sprinkler heads, from a handheld device, at any time.”

The PGA Centenary Course will re-open for play in April 2024. Tee time bookings can be made here: https://gleneagles.com/offers/tee-time/

Located in the heart of Scotland, and an hour from Edinburgh and Glasgow airports, Gleneagles remains the only venue in Europe to have staged professional golf’s most important team events (the Ryder Cup in 2014 and Solheim Cup in 2019). It also continues to be independently ranked as the UK & Ireland’s #1 Golf Resort*.

In addition to the PGA Centenary Course, members and guests can also experience two Top 100 ranked 18-hole James Braid classics in The King’s, a fast-running inland links-style design, and The Queen’s, regarded as one of the finest par-68 layouts in the UK.

Beyond the fairways, Gleneagles’ guests can unwind and relax at the award-winning hotel, where a wealth of food and drink options await, including The Strathearn, the theatrical Franco-Scottish dining experience, the Birnam Brasserie, a relaxed Mediterranean style restaurant serving the best Italian and French-style cuisine, or toast the day’s play in Auchterarder 70, overlooking the 18th greens of The King’s and Queen’s.

Gleneagles also boasts over 50 pursuits, including fly-fishing, falconry, cycling, off-roading, equestrian experiences and archery. Guests will also have use of a range of leisure facilities, including the pitch-and-putt course, lawn games and outdoor tennis courts.

*Golf World Top 100 Best Golf Resorts UK & Ireland ranking 2023.

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Elite Practice Zone at Gleneagles

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Elite Practice Zone at Gleneagles: Huxley Golf is proud to have created an all-weather feature for the PGA National Academy for Scotland at Gleneagles, the iconic Scottish hotel and global luxury destination, that will uphold its reputation as one of the world’s most sought-after practice and coaching facilities for years to come.

The Academy’s new practice tee and short game area deliver optimum training facilities because Huxley Golf’s unique surfaces enable year-round play for the benefit of PGA professionals and players alike.

Elite Practice Zone at Gleneagles

Elite Practice Zone at Gleneagles

PGA National Golf Academy Manager, Matthew Reid, said: “Here at Gleneagles, we combine leading instruction with unrivalled practice facilities to give golfers of all ages and abilities the opportunity to enjoy the sport and grow their game in the most comprehensive and desirable surroundings. Huxley Golf’s elite golf surfaces are a key component of us being able to deliver this service. Silent and comfortable underfoot, they look, feel and play just like natural turf, yet so much more hard-wearing.”

Huxley Golf installed a practice tee measuring approximately 170ft (52m) x 12ft (3.6m) and two short game area tees of approximately 24ft (7.3m) x 6ft (1.8m) each. Both were created using Huxley Golf’s celebrated Premier Tee Turf 2.

The company’s Scotland & North East England Area Manager, Hugh Fraser, explained: “Premier Tee Turf 2 was the perfect solution for Matthew’s team at Gleneagles. With exceptional pile density, it sets the perfect stage and provides a superb all-weather playing surface. Its unique construction enables balls to be played straight off the surface or from a tee and, because no filler is needed, there’s very little maintenance needed to keep it in tip-top condition all year round, just as visitors to this iconic venue expect.”

Gleneagles’ reputation as a sporting paradise has flourished for over a century. Boasting three championship courses, the resort offers an unbeatable golfing experience for a broad spectrum of enthusiasts, from novices through to the finest players in the world.

The Huxley name has been synonymous with premium all-weather golf surfaces and products. Endorsed by the UK’s leading golf organisations as well as many legendary golfers and celebrities and their coaching teams, the Hampshire-based company’s artificial golf surfaces are in use all around the world at top-flight courses, resorts, and training academies. Across Scotland, Huxley Golf has also recently created practice areas for the Royal Burgess Golfing Society of Edinburgh, Gullane Golf Club and The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers Muirfield.

For more information visit www.huxleygolf.com

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Gleneagles enhances the King’s course

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Gleneagles enhances the King’s course: Gleneagles, the iconic Scottish hotel and global luxury destination, has completed important enhancements to its world-renowned King’s Course, in preparation for welcoming icons of the game to compete in the Senior Open Presented by Rolex, July 21-24.

The 103-year-old James Braid-designed inland links style course, a regular feature of many Top 100 rankings lists, is critically acclaimed as one of his architectural masterpieces.

Gleneagles enhances the King's course

Gleneagles enhances the King’s course

In 1921 it was also the venue of the first ever match between Britain and USA Professionals, in what has been widely accepted today as a precursor to The Ryder Cup.

The course also famously hosted a match between the ‘Big Three’ of Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player in 1966, as well as the popular Bell’s Scottish Open from 1987-1994, the largest spectator event after The Open at the time.

Next month’s Senior Open Presented by Rolex will welcome a host of golfing legends to ‘The Glorious Playground’, including two-time Open Champion and 2022 US Senior Open Champion, Padraig Harrington (playing in his first Senior Open), his fellow double Open Champion Ernie Els, as well as Darren Clarke, Tom Lehman and Scotland’s Sandy Lyle.

The King’s Course underwent extensive restoration in 2016, which included taking the fairway cut lines back to the original James Braid design, alongside a comprehensive bunker refurbishment programme, to further enhance the aesthetic design of all 18 holes.

To coincide with the staging of the Senior Open Presented by Rolex, the following key changes have been made to five holes on The King’s Course:

Hole 7 – Kittle Kink

A new tee has been built at the back of the 6th green that significantly increases the length of the hole. Not only does the length add difficulty but, more importantly, it changes the angle from the tee so that it plays as a more severe dog-leg. It’s now much harder to ‘cut the corner’ off the tee shot, which results in adding length to the approach shot and ultimately making this one the most challenging holes on the course. The hole will change from 444 yards to 468 yards – an increase in length of 24 yards.

Hole 8 – Whaup’s Nest

The existing Championship tee has been extended back and to the left to help open up sight of the right side of the green, allowing a greater variety of teeing positions. Club selection will be key for this narrow green.

Hole 12 – Tappit Hen

A new tee has been built and positioned approximately 30 yards back into an existing copse of trees that provides a wonderfully framed ‘shoot’ for a challenging tee shot that now requires a solid carry over the bunkers that guard the saddle. The hole will change from 442 yards to 475 yards – an increase in length of 33 yards (see attached video flyover).

Hole 14 – Dent Den
A new tee has been built that adds 40 yards to the tee shot, allowing the hole to retain the risk and reward element of a reachable par-4. The added challenge is in the need for a more robust tee shot to carry the ridge of bunkers. The hole will change from 309 yards to 341 yards – an increase in length of 32 yards.

Hole 16 – Wee Bogle
The existing Championship tee has been lowered slightly, extended back and to the left to help open up sight of the entirety of the green, particularly to allow for a back right pin position.

Other notable changes from past championships will be a greater emphasis on tightly mown surfaces around greens complexes and fairway bunkers, to fully embrace the natural contours of the course.

Conor O’Leary, Managing Director of Gleneagles, commented: “Gleneagles’ reputation as a sporting estate has flourished for a century, with golf and The King’s Course at the very heart of that rich history. While our modern classic, The PGA Centenary Course designed by Jack Nicklaus, has hosted iconic Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup matches, we are so proud to welcome legends of the game back to The King’s, where golf started at Gleneagles all those years ago.

“The sympathetic course changes we have made recognise the way the modern game has evolved, but still retain The King’s Course’s numerous strategic challenges that have made this timeless classic so revered the world over.”

Gleneagles remains the only venue in Europe to have staged both The Ryder Cup (2014) and The Solheim Cup (2019). The 850-acre Perthshire estate is also currently ranked #2 in the Top 100

World Golf Resorts ranking, published by Golf World.

Tickets for the 2022 Senior Open Presented by Rolex can be purchased, HERE

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Technology pays off for Gleneagles

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Technology pays off for Gleneagles: As Gleneagles enters the fifth year of its partnership agreement with John Deere, its adoption of the latest precision spraying and mowing technology is paying off across the estate’s world-famous championship courses, The King’s, Queen’s and PGA Centenary, plus the 9-hole Wee Course.

The award-winning luxury destination in Perthshire holds a unique position in golf as the first European venue to have hosted both The Ryder Cup (in 2014) and Solheim Cup (in 2019). John Deere was the official golf course and turf maintenance equipment supplier to Gleneagles for the latter event, with tournament support provided by local supplying dealer Double A at Cupar.

Technology pays off for Gleneagles

Technology pays off for Gleneagles

The next professional tournament scheduled at Gleneagles takes place in July 2022, when The King’s Course will host The Senior Open Presented by Rolex for the first time. This will be Europe’s only Senior Major Championship next year.

Gleneagles Director of Agronomy and Estates Scott Fenwick says: “We’re anticipating a great tournament next summer, particularly as The King’s Course also hosted what was then the Bells Scottish Open from 1987 to 1994. Hopefully a lot of the big-name golfers from that era will be able to play the course again, and we look forward to welcoming them back to Gleneagles.”

Scott Fenwick recently took delivery of the latest additions to Gleneagles’ extensive John Deere course maintenance equipment fleet, including the ProGator-based GPS PrecisionSprayer, WAM 1600T and 9009A TerrainCut rotary rough and finishing mowers, plus nine TS & TX Series Gator utility vehicles.

“We were the first UK golf course to receive a prototype of the GPS PrecisionSprayer for assessment, from the start of the John Deere contract,” says Scott.  “We were able to do a lot of testing with it over three seasons, to help John Deere evaluate the machine in true commercial conditions.

“Accuracy is key for everything we do at Gleneagles. We were also one of the first golf venues in the UK to achieve GEO Certified status, and the environmental credentials of our business are very important to us. To be able to spray only target areas is obviously much better from an environmental point of view. We are now able to apply around 12 to 14 per cent less chemical at lower total volumes of water, which also means lower costs, so it’s a big win all round.

“Although autonomous technology is well established in agriculture, it’s new to our side of the industry. Once you get used to not having to steer the machine and allowing it to do everything automatically, it’s very operator friendly. Testing the sprayer over an extended period meant we could be sure that it did what it was supposed to do and have full confidence in the results.”

Precision is a feature of the A model mowers that Gleneagles uses, with the machines set up using the TechControl system so that they mow and turn at exact speeds. This helps give a consistent finish across all courses.

“This is particularly important on a big site like ours, with a 50-plus strong greenkeeping and gardens team and a lot of equipment,” Scott adds. “Every operator has a slightly different approach and feel, but with so many mowers being used by different people every day, we need to achieve consistency.

“Since joining Gleneagles three years ago our Golf Courses Manager, Craig Haldane, has been instrumental in bringing the golf and gardens staff together to operate as one team across all the courses and grounds. This has meant we can manage and direct operations and the equipment fleet much more efficiently, and it has also improved communications and the use of resources.

“Overall the new John Deere fleet is now in a really good place. It’s also been great for morale that even though the hotel had to close during lockdown, the business has continued to invest in the new machinery we need to maintain the courses to the highest standards.”

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