Nine delegates from the Greenkeeping team were selected to attend the six interactive sessions led by Phil Helmn, Bernhard Academy’s Programme Leader. The workshops focused on strategies for improving communication, cultivating leadership habits that support consistent top performance, techniques for navigating difficult conversations, and stakeholder management to support operational decision-making. The training was designed to enhance the team’s dynamics and establish a solid foundation for both team success and individual development.

The practical sessions were immediately applicable to day-to-day operations. With the Academy’s hands-on approach, the training included group work and individual reflective sessions, allowing participants to trial new techniques in realistic scenarios and receive focused coaching.

Phil Helmn was impressed by the culture at the golf course, saying: “It was great to see the team so open to learning and ready to grow after the session. Their enthusiasm for new ideas and willingness to challenge themselves really stood out, showing a strong commitment to continuous improvement and development.”

Eddie Irvine, Head Greenkeeper, who took part in the training commented “The energy and enthusiasm brought to the training sessions was fantastic. Our team really benefited from the training and more importantly, enjoyed the experience. We’re looking forward to our next training sessions already!”

Stevie Wilson, Links Superintendent at Trump International was really pleased with the impact of the training and the support that Bernhard Academy provided, commenting “The Bernhard Academy understood our requirements and built a bespoke course for our team. I was verny impressed by the depth and breadth of the training sessions and will be bringing them back in to continue with the development of the team. I would wholeheartedly recommend them to other clubs and teams looking for quality training.”

Bernhard Academy delivers industry-leading technical and management training for turf professionals and golf club teams. The Academy works with golf courses to design bespoke programmes that combine practical skills with leadership development, helping teams deliver excellent experiences for members and visitors.

For further information about Bernhard Academy, its course calendar, or bespoke on-site training, visit: https://bernhardacademy.co.uk.