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 UK.
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.
On 23 September, the Academy hosted its flagship Turf Equipment Technicians Conference, endorsed by the Turf Equipment Technicians Organisation (TETO). A total of 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.
The Bernhard Academy’s Education Director, Sami Strutt, also featured as a panellist at the 2025 Golf Business Expo at Whittlebury Park last week, where she 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, visit www.bernhardacademy.co.uk