Bernhard and GCSAA partner to send 10 American superintendents to 2025 BTME conference

Bernhard Academy has partnered with the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) to create Links to Success United Kingdom 2025 and bring 10 GCSAA members to the annual BTME conference in the United Kingdom beginning in 2025.

For the last 23 years, Bernhard has selected 10 members of the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) to attend the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show in the U.S. to take part in education and visit local golf courses. With its new program, North American superintendents will now have the opportunity for a similar experience in the UK.

Steven Nixon, managing director for Bernhard, and Kevin Sunderman, CGCS, chief operating officer for GCSAA, announced the program during the 2024 GCSAA Conference and Trade Show in Phoenix.

“We’ve been running the BIGGA Delegation where we bring greenkeepers from the UK to the annual GCSAA Conference for more than 20 years now with huge success, so we’re delighted to be partnering with the GCSAA to be able to offer this experience to its members too,” Nixon said. “Whether you are an assistant or superintendent, or hold any other role within the greenkeeping world, we welcome you to take part in this process. The delegation promises to deliver invaluable benefits for everyone involved. BTME is a fantastic event that will offer great insight for North American greenkeepers, and the opportunity to experience the Bernhard Academy and some of the UK’s best golf venues is not to be missed.”

The GCSAA members chosen will attend the BTME 2025 conference in Harrogate, England, be part of the Bernhard Academy, and visit various golf courses to expand their knowledge and network. Applications will open March 1 through May 31 on gcsaa.org but those interested can fill out an interest form and be notified when applications open.

“Bernhard’s delegation of BIGGA members has been an important part of the international contingent at our conference and trade show for more than two decades,” Sunderman said. “Thanks to Bernhard, select GCSAA members will now get to experience BTME, better understand maintenance practices in UK, enhance their knowledge base and build international relationships.”