Bernhard Academy expands turfcare training with Gleneagles courses this fall

The Bernhard Academy, the education arm of turf machinery specialist Bernhard and Company, is bringing its turfcare training program to Gleneagles Golf Club in Scotland this November. The initiative highlights an industry-wide push to better equip turf professionals with technical expertise at a time when skilled equipment technicians are in growing demand.

From Nov. 11–13, Gleneagles will host the Academy’s Fundamentals of Turfcare Mechanics – Level 1, a three-day course focused on machinery servicing and diagnostics. A one-day Basic Machinery Workshop follows on Nov. 17, emphasizing routine checks and essential repairs. Both sessions pair hands-on training with online safety modules endorsed by the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management.

The expansion is part of Bernhard Academy’s broader autumn schedule, which includes events at its Haverhill headquarters and Moortown Golf Club. Notably, the Turf Equipment Technicians Conference on Sept. 23 in Haverhill — endorsed by the Turf Equipment Technicians Organization convenes professionals to share insights and reinforce the critical role technicians play in turf performance.

Sami Strutt, the Academy’s education director, said the goal is to provide relevant, practical knowledge that helps technicians at all stages of their careers. That mission aligns with wider industry trends: according to BIGGA, greenkeeping teams often report shortages of adequately trained equipment managers, underscoring the need for structured development opportunities.

As turfcare technology grows more sophisticated, courses like these are becoming a linchpin in sustaining course quality and playability. For operators, investing in technician training may mean fewer breakdowns, longer equipment life and ultimately better surfaces for players.

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