Tag Archive for: outstanding

Stephen Bernhard to receive Outstanding Contribution Award

/in , , /by

Stephen Bernhard to receive Outstanding Contribution Award: The British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA), has announced the finalists of the BIGGA Awards 2025, while also revealing that a lifelong supporter of greenkeeping is set to receive the association’s Outstanding Contribution Award with Kress.

The BIGGA Awards will be presented at the BIGGA Celebration with Kress, which takes place on the opening evening of the BIGGA Turf Management Celebration (BTME). Held in Harrogate each January, BTME is Europe’s largest gathering of golf greenkeepers and provides world class education and networking opportunities for BIGGA members and those working in the sports turf and golf industries.

Stephen Bernhard to receive Outstanding Contribution Award

Stephen Bernhard to receive Outstanding Contribution Award

At the BIGGA Celebration with Kress, Bernhard and Company founder Stephen Bernhard will be presented with the Outstanding Contribution Award. With an unwavering commitment to education and professional development, Stephen has provided countless opportunities for greenkeepers to achieve new heights, not least through his support of the BIGGA Delegation to the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show and the establishment of the Bernhard Academy in 2019.

Jim Croxton, BIGGA CEO, said: “Stephen Bernhard has been an inspirational character in our industry for decades and via his generous support – in particular of the BIGGA Delegation to the United States – he has made positive contributions to countless careers in greenkeeping. His enthusiasm for greenkeeping and the wider sports turf and horticultural sectors have been undimmed with the passing of time.

“He has always sought to innovate and challenge were appropriate and time spent with Stephen is always thought-provoking. I’m thrilled that we are able to recognise his outstanding commitment to our industry in this way.”

Stephen worked in his father Jeffrey Bernhard’s turf nursery and landscaping business from a young age. He formed Bernhard and Company in the 1970s and the business became a leading name in spin grinding in the 1980s with its renowned Anglemaster and Express Dual machines. Throughout its history Bernhard and Company has built a reputation for providing a range of innovative sharpening tools alongside educational support for greenkeepers and groundspeople and in 2008 the company was awarded the Queen’s Award for Industry.

Also to be presented at the BIGGA Celebration with Kress are the Championship Greenkeeping Performance of the Year with Bernhard and Company and the Greenkeeping Project of the Year with Price Turfcare awards. In both cases, the innovative thinking and creativity of BIGGA members are celebrated, with nominations being received throughout 2024. BIGGA is delighted to be able to reveal the finalists of these awards below.

BIGGA Awards finalists 2025:

Championship Greenkeeping Performance of the Year with Bernhard and Company

  • Burnham & Berrow Golf Club for the hosting of Final Qualifying for The 152nd Open in July.
  • Morlais Castle Golf Club for hosting the Men’s Welsh Team Championship in August.
  • Woburn Golf Club for hosting The G4D Open in May.

Greenkeeping Project of the Year with Price Turfcare

  • Cowdray Golf Club
  • Long Ashton Golf Club
  • Parkstone Golf Club

Further information about the finalists can be found in the January edition of Greenkeeper International and on the BIGGA website.

The BIGGA Celebration with Kress will be hosted by Sky Sports’s Sarah Stirk and is a free, informal event that will be held in the Harrogate Convention Centre’s Royal Hall on Tuesday 21 January 2025. All attendees to BTME are welcome to attend and more information can be found on the BIGGA website.

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.

Outstanding Service leads to an Outstanding Surface

/in , /by

Outstanding Service leads to an Outstanding Surface: After intensive in-house operations to relieve severe compaction failed to deliver the desired results, the decision was made to undertake a full renovation on one of the pitches at Hove Prep School in Sussex.

Word of mouth led Grounds and Gardens Manager Adam Bedson to speak with AMS Contracting Ltd who he cites, from the outset, delivered outstanding customer service and confidence in their capability to fix the situation to the standards required – which they did, to the satisfaction of the school and pupils alike!

Outstanding Service leads to an Outstanding Surface

Outstanding Service leads to an Outstanding Surface

Hove Prep School is one of three sites belonging to Lancing College, with its own sports facilities supporting a packed programme of year-round play and coaching. “It became evident that years of overuse had contributed to severe compaction problems that became almost impossible to recover” explains Adam, who has been at the college since 2019. “Kit we hired failed to rectify the problem so we reached out to Ashley and Myles Strange at AMS who immediately put us at ease.”

“Having not conducted a project of this scale for a good number of years the Bursar naturally had a lot of questions, which the AMS team answered in-depth and in a timely manner. The level of care and knowledge shown definitely helped to secure the funding we needed to get the project underway in the summer of 2023.”

The full pitch renovation included surface removal, soil profile upgrade, laser-levelling, seeding and nutritional programme, conducted by a team of four operatives under the guidance of Ashley and Myles. “We felt in safe hands every step of the way. What really stood out for me was the hours the team were prepared to work – on site from sunrise and non-stop until the early evening. They understood our need to get the work, which also included renovating our cricket square, complete in the window available in order to get the surfaces back into play as quickly as possible.”

The results, Adam says, speak for themselves. “Within seven days we went from a sandy field to seeing the green hue of germination. Since then, we’ve nurtured the pitch to full strength and coverage and the pupils are now enjoying playing on it.” He continues, “This wet start to winter has also highlighted how incredibly well the pitch drains now. Within an hour of the rain stopping, the pitch is playable which was previously unheard of.”

“The sports staff are over the moon and everybody is really invested in protecting the asset we now have. The success of this project signals the start of a fantastic partnership between ourselves and AMS Contracting, and we’re already in touch with the team about what’s next!”

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.

Reesink awarded outstanding sales achievement

/in , /by

Reesink awarded outstanding sales achievement: Pitched against Toro distributors from across the globe, Reesink has been awarded by Toro the International Outstanding Sales Achievement award for 2022 – high praise indeed for the company.

In order to qualify for the award, distributors must have exhibited excellence in sales growth, a positive market share trend, and win rate – which includes new projects, large fleet replacements, and renovations. They must have participated in relationship building activities and delivered solid industry support.

Reesink awarded outstanding sales achievement

Reesink awarded outstanding sales achievement

Reesink Turfcare has succeeded on every level in demonstrating these core components. Jon Cole, divisional business manager for Reesink Turfcare, says: “To be considered for this award at all is an honour, and to win it is a massive achievement for our sales team and dealer partners.

“The number of machines we’ve managed to get into clubs, even amid the challenges of industry wide shortages, speaks for itself and is testament to the hard work our sales team and dealer partners put into building those relationships with our customer base. Over the past year we’ve seen more and more clubs invest in electric models and increasing numbers turning red as they look to invest in quality machines. I cannot emphasise enough just how thankful we are to all our customers for their patience and understanding in what have been, and remain, extremely challenging circumstances.

“Our aim is always to set the customer up with the right machines for their course, and deliver to them a product that is going to perform, and last a very long time. This sales achievement award is a reflection of those values and the passion Reesink and our partners share in delivering quality equipment.”

To talk to someone about Toro technology and how the Toro range could suit your course, call 01480 226800.

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.

Bayer’s role in outstanding conditions

/in , /by

Bayer’s role in outstanding conditions: Greenkeepers are crucial to a golf course’s success, but inevitably a helping hand is sometimes required to maintain playability throughout the year to maintain stress free turf.

“We don’t know yet what conditions greenkeepers will have to deal with during 2020, in recent years they’ve had to manage both unseasonal dry and wet conditions, and at times it has been a challenge to keep on top of turf stress,” says Neil Pettican, Bayer head of sales.

Bayer's role in outstanding conditions

“Due to the unpredictable nature of the UK climate, we strongly recommend investing in a preventative and integrated approach to turf management to be in a position to handle whatever is thrown at turf throughout the year,” adds Neil.

He says when it comes to disease management implementing a preventative approach is key and can be achieved by incorporating cultural and biological practices alongside chemical solutions prior to the onset of disease.

“Healthy plants are better equipped to combat disease and mitigate stress. Modern fungicides and IPM programs need to do more than just work on the pathogen for disease control, as improving plant heath plays a crucial role,” he explains.

If greenkeepers aren’t invested in this approach, we’re recommending that 2020 should be the year that they change their focus.

“If you prevent diseases before they affect playability, it both reduces long-term costs and any negative effects on the golfers experience,” says Neil.

Bayer's role in outstanding conditions

He recommends that if greenkeepers are looking at using preventative fungicides, they should look out for Stressgard® Formulation Technology as it is proven to improve plant physiological results. It enhances plant health allowing superior disease management and healthier turf, ensuring grass is in a stronger position to withstand further pressures.

“Disease pressure  will inevitably be present during this year, so it’s best to get prepared well in advance,” says Neil.

He adds that for instance it’s been reported that 90% of golf courses suffer with Microdochium patch annually, so it will pay to be prepared early prior to infection, especially as the early stages of Microdochium patch can be very difficult to spot.

“Taking an early stance on preventative, rather than curative, applications will limit the severity of disease outbreaks later in the season, improving consistency of long-term playability and ultimately satisfaction for you and your golfers.”

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.