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Husqvarna becomes Title Partner of the British Masters

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Husqvarna becomes Title Partner of the British Masters: Husqvarna, a global leader in robotic lawnmowing and part of Husqvarna Group, has signed a multi-year agreement to become the new Title Partner of the British Masters – one of the world’s most historic golf tournaments.

The 2026 Husqvarna British Masters will be staged at The Belfry on the iconic Brabazon Course in England. In addition, Husqvarna will also be the official robotic mowing partner of the DP World Tour.

Husqvarna becomes Title Partner of the British Masters

Husqvarna becomes Title Partner of the British Masters

“Golf is the perfect stage to demonstrate the performance of Husqvarna’s robotic lawnmowers, already delivering world-class results at over 1,700 courses worldwide. This partnership marks a shared commitment to reinvent golf course maintenance for a new era”, says Yvette Henshall-Bell, President Europe BU Husqvarna Forest & Garden Division, Husqvarna Group.

First played in 1946, the British Masters has a distinguished history with past champions including Peter Thomson, Tony Jacklin, Bernhard Langer, Ian Woosnam, Seve Ballesteros, Sir Nick Faldo, Colin Montgomerie and Sweden’s Alex Noren in the 2025 tournament. Six-time major winner Sir Nick Faldo, himself a Husqvarna Brand Ambassador, will return as host of the Husqvarna British Masters in 2026.

“As a former Champion, I take great pride in hosting this iconic tournament and it’s about to enter an exciting new era with this new partnership. I love Husqvarna’s products, and they will be out in full force at The Belfry next August to make sure the Brabazon Course is in perfect condition”, says Sir Nick Faldo.

As part of the agreement, Husqvarna also becomes an Official Marketing Partner of the 2026 DP World Tour, building on the successful partnership in 2025. In 2026 Husqvarna will be the Official Tournament Partner to the British Masters and the Amgen Irish Open, Corporate Partner to the BMW International Open, KLM Open and FedEx Open de France. With this elevated status, Husqvarna will showcase its products across DP World Tour channels throughout the season, and partner with green keepers and course managers to deliver consistent quality on the tournament courses.

Recently, at the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Porthcawl in Wales, 15 Husqvarna CEORA robotic mowers maintained all 18 fairways during the tournament, marking the first time robotic mowers have maintained fairways live on the world golf stage.

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The R&A to enhance learning at BTME 2026

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The R&A to enhance learning at BTME 2026: The R&A’s Sustainable Golf experts will once again be present at BTME in Harrogate this January, with the introduction of The R&A Clubhouse, a dedicated space designed to support learning, discussion and professional development throughout the show.

Located alongside The R&A’s stand in Hall 4, The R&A Clubhouse will complement the existing exhibition presence by providing an environment for structured talks, informal conversations and shared learning opportunities.

The R&A to enhance learning at BTME 2026

The R&A to enhance learning at BTME 2026

Led by R&A professionals and industry specialists, The Clubhouse programme will run across the three days of the trade exhibition, offering practical insight, experience-led discussion and discussions on the key challenges facing modern golf course management.

As in previous years, The R&A will be represented by a broad team drawn from across the organisation, including Sustainable Agronomy, Championship Agronomy, Golf Course 2030 Research and Education programmes. Specialists attending from Great Britain and Ireland, Europe and Asia-Pacific will be available throughout the week to engage with industry professionals, share experience and contribute to conversations around sustainable, performance-led course management across different environments and regions.

The R&A team will be based in Hall 4, providing a central point for visitors to find out more about the independent agronomy support available to golf venues and to speak directly with R&A agronomists and specialists working at both a strategic and practical level.

The R&A Clubhouse programme begins on Tuesday 20 January with a focus on Excellence in Agronomy – Performance Delivered Sustainably, exploring how course teams can balance performance expectations with long-term sustainability. On Wednesday 21 January, the theme turns to International Insights into Sustainability and Greenkeeping, drawing on global perspectives and shared experiences from across the industry. The programme concludes on Thursday 22 January with Championing Leadership of Golf Courses, supporting collaboration and understanding between course managers, club leaders and decision-makers.

Richard Windows, Assistant Director – Sustainable Agronomy Services at The R&A, said: “BTME provides an invaluable opportunity to bring the industry together and encourage open discussion around the issues that matter most to golf courses. The R&A Clubhouse has been designed to facilitate meaningful learning, with contributions from our own specialists and wider industry experts, allowing attendees to gain insight that is both relevant and practical.”

Daniel Lightfoot, Director – Sustainable Golf at The R&A, added: “Having colleagues from across Sustainable Agronomy, Championship Agronomy, Golf Course 2030 Research and our education programmes together in Harrogate allows us to support a wide range of conversations. By combining R&A expertise with industry-led discussion in the Clubhouse, we hope to provide a forum that encourages shared understanding and informed decision-making.”

BTME 2026 takes place at Harrogate Convention Centre, with the trade exhibition running from 20–22 January 2026. You can find out more on each of the clubhouse activities here: https://www.btme.org.uk/attendees/what-s-on/feature-areas/the-r-a-clubhouse.html

For more information on The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service, or to arrange a meeting with the team at BTME, please contact sustainableagronomy@randa.org

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Duo Receive Pioneer Marks From The GMA

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Duo Receive Pioneer Marks From The GMA: Two previous members of the GMA Young Board, now known as GMA NextGen, have been awarded their Pioneer Marks as part of the Pioneer Legacy initiative, recognising the contributions of past and present members of GMA NextGen.

The Pioneer Mark is a distinctive legacy number that symbolises the impact each member has made on the grounds management profession.

Duo Receive Pioneer Marks From The GMA

Duo Receive Pioneer Marks From The GMA

Will Graves (#002) joined the industry in 2010 as an apprentice at Merchant Taylors’ School and became part of the first Young Board in 2011, later serving as Chair in 2014. He went on to join the ground staff team at Watford Football Club while also gaining experience at Wembley Stadium.

He said: “My time working with the Young Board of Directors was a real highlight of my career to date. We all worked hard to make a positive difference and increase opportunities for those both inside and outside of the profession. I am very grateful to both the GMA and Reesink UK for everything they did and continue to do to support the group.”

Harry Boxell (#022) served four years on the Young Board from 2016. He began his grounds management career at 16 and progressed through roles at Tottenham Hotspur and Godolphin, before taking on the role of Head of Grounds and Gardens at Embley Park in 2017. He is now Estates Manager, overseeing the 130-acre Grade II listed parkland.

Harry says: “I vividly remember driving down from Newmarket for the interview and being struck by the beauty of the buildings and grounds, while also recognising the potential for further enhancement.”

“Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to meet and learn from many inspiring individuals,” He added. “Some of my most memorable experiences were through my involvement with the Young Board of Directors. We met regularly and were fortunate to visit venues such as the Stade de France, Parc des Princes (home of Paris Saint-Germain), and several other prestigious sites.”

Jennifer Carter, GMA Director of Communications and Marketing, said: “The GMA would like to thank Will and Harry for their contributions during their time with the NextGen, formerly known as the Young Board.

“It’s really important that we recognise the contributions they have all made to the grounds management industry by awarding them with their pioneer marks. We’re excited to continue the legacy and are now looking to recruit the next generation of passionate individuals to carry the group forward.”

The duo join the ranks of respected NextGen alumni who have received their Pioneer Marks, which can be viewed here.

GMA NextGen are now welcoming new members under 35 who are ready to make a difference in the grounds management industry.

If you’re passionate about shaping the sector’s future, express your interest here. 

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Club Car becomes Official Supplier of the CMAE

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Club Car becomes Official Supplier of the CMAE: Club Car®, a global industry-leading manufacturer of small-wheel, zero-emissions electric vehicles, has become an Official Supplier of the Club Management Association of Europe (CMAE).

Club Car has long supported the golf industry, building longstanding partnerships with organisations such as the Professional Golfers Association (PGA), the DP World Tour, the Ryder Cup, the UK Golf Federation and the European Institute of Golf Course Architects (EIGCA).

Club Car becomes Official Supplier of the CMAE

Club Car becomes Official Supplier of the CMAE

The new agreement with the CMAE means that support now extends to the education of club managers through the Management Development Programme (MDP). Within the CMAE’s structured education programme are two levels of certification: the Club Management Diploma (CMDip) and the Certified Club Manager (CCM).

Andrew Bourke, Club Car’s Regional Sales Manager for the UK, Ireland and Scandinavia, said: “We are very excited to support this area of the industry and help the development of club managers throughout Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.

“There’s a real opportunity to educate on fleet usage, particularly how to use connectivity – from an operational point of view and to increase revenue. A golf or utility fleet is always an investment, so our expertise on how clubs can get the best return from that investment will be invaluable to the CMAE’s members.”

CMAE’s Commercial Director Craig Cotterill said: “We are delighted to welcome Club Car as an Official Supplier. Their reputation for quality, innovation and industry leadership aligns perfectly with our mission to support and elevate club managers across our regions.

“The insights and expertise Club Car bring – particularly around fleet management and operational efficiency – will add significant value to our members and ultimately help deliver better experiences for their clubs and communities.”

For more information on Club Car visit: www.clubcar.com

For more information on the CMAE visit: www.cmaeurope.org

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The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service Reflects on Landmark Year

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The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service Reflects on Landmark Year: The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service has completed an outstanding year of progress in 2025, reinforcing its position as a leading global authority in environmentally responsible, high-performance golf course management.

Building on The R&A’s target to support clubs with independent, science-led guidance that balances conditioning and long-term environmental responsibility, the team expanded its reach and deepened its impact across Great Britain and Ireland, Continental Europe and Asia-Pacific.

The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service Reflects on Landmark Year

The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service Reflects on Landmark Year

Over the course of the year, The R&A’s Sustainable and Championship Agronomy team delivered around 420 agronomy visits to new and existing venues worldwide, providing tailored support on course performance, resource efficiency and climate-resilient practices across multiple regions.

In Europe, a number of new clubs were onboarded – Aloha Golf Club, Breitenloo Golf Club and La Finca Resort, in addition to forthcoming work at Lofoten Links.  This is alongside existing international partners such as Noordwijkse to underline rising demand for R&A expertise across continental markets. In Asia-Pacific, client expansion continued with additions including Los Cabos San Diego Golf (Philippines) and Mamiya Group (Japan), alongside confirmation of Taiheiyo Club Gotemba Course as an official R&A venue for the next three years. In GB&I, the Service strengthened its capability with two key hires: Jaey Goodchild and Stefan Carter both joining the agronomy team.

Knowledge-sharing and industry engagement remained a major focus. The team delivered over 30 key presentations across golf nations – including Switzerland, Finland, France, Spain, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Asia-Pacific markets and the UK – broadening the support offered by The R&A while providing practical agronomic guidance to clubs and industry bodies.

Reflecting on the year, Richard Windows, Assistant Director – Sustainable Agronomy Services at The R&A, said, “This year has been a hugely positive one for the Sustainable Agronomy Service. The scale of delivery across regions, combined with the quality of engagement we’ve had with clubs and industry partners, shows just how committed the game is to environmentally responsible, high-performance golf.

“We’re proud of the progress made, but equally excited about the next phase – continuing to strengthen our support for courses worldwide with practical guidance, research-led innovations and a clear focus on helping facilities thrive long into the future.”

In GB&I, the Service continued to work closely with many of the region’s most influential venues, reflecting both the Service’s footprint at the highest level and the trust placed in its guidance by leading facilities.

Championship support was also central to the programme. The team provided agronomy input at The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush, the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Porthcawl, The Amateur Championship at Royal St Georges and  Royal Cinque Ports, The Women’s Amateur Championship at Nairn, the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship at Emirates Golf Club (Dubai) and the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific championship  at Hoiana Shores (Vietnam), ensuring sustainable championship conditioning while showcasing world-class course standards on golf’s biggest stages.

Across Asia-Pacific, momentum continued to build under Chris Gray, who delivered sustainable golf presentations in China, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. A GC2030 project also advanced in Australia and New Zealand, reflecting the region’s growing appetite for practical, research-linked solutions to long-term environmental pressures. Asia-Pacific delivery was further strengthened through the appointment of Dr Brett Morris and expanded Championship Agronomy support, including work confirmed for the 2026 Asian Games venue, Kasugai Country Club in Nagoya.

As 2025 concludes, The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service stands on a year of meaningful global growth – defined not only by scale, but by the practical influence it is having on courses worldwide. With continued expansion across Europe, Asia-Pacific and GB&I, and championship-level expertise feeding directly into everyday course resilience, the Service remains firmly focused on helping golf thrive sustainably for decades to come.

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