Championing Leadership and Development at the 2025 Women in Golf Awards
At the Bernhard Academy, we’re passionate about helping people grow – not just as turf professionals, but as confident, capable leaders. That’s why we were delighted to play a key role at this year’s Women in Golf Awards, held on 27 November at Foxhills Golf Club in Surrey.
The event brought together an inspiring mix of individuals from across the industry, and we were proud to contribute two interactive workshops designed to spark insight, reflection, and professional growth.
Creating space for learning and leadership
More than 20 delegates joined us for the sessions, which formed part of our ongoing mission to elevate skills across golf and sports turf, both technical and personal. While much of our work focuses on sharpening expertise in turf management, we know that communication, teamwork, and people-first leadership are just as essential in today’s industry.
Our programme leader, Phil Helmn MG, led the workshops, guiding attendees through the importance of recognising personality types and how this understanding can transform communication and collaboration. We also explored behavioural drivers – the subtle forces that shape how we react under pressure – and how becoming aware of them can improve decision-making, resilience, and performance.
A diverse group with a shared goal
One of the most energising parts of the day was the breadth of experience in the room. We welcomed greenkeepers, club managers, events staff, trustees, board members, and more, who all brought their own perspectives on leadership and team dynamics. Despite the range of roles, the conversations repeatedly circled back to the same theme: a shared desire to create more connected, confident, and effective workplaces.
The feedback was wonderfully encouraging. Many delegates spoke about how accessible and immediately usable the content felt. Dolores Brown, Head of Tournaments at Golfbreaks, summed it up perfectly when she told us: “It’s so engaging, has a relaxed feel but also combines a lot of learning – without feeling draining or boring!
It’s these kind of responses that remind us why we do what we do.
Why these moments matter
As our Education Director, Sami Strutt, reflected on the event, opportunities like this help reinforce the value of investing in people at every stage of their career.
“Our mission has always been to help raise standards through learning, whether that’s technical development or supporting people to grow as leaders. Working with respected organisations across our industry allows us to help build a stronger, more confident, and more connected workforce for the future,” she said.
The Women in Golf Awards is a powerful platform for championing achievement, inspiring cultural change, and advancing education across the sport. We’re proud that our involvement this year further underscores our role as a leading provider of progressive learning experiences, not just for turf teams, but for professionals across the wider golf community.
