Event Details:
- Date & Time: Tuesday, July 2, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
- Location: Corhampton Golf Club, Shepherds Farm Lane, Southampton – SO32 3GZ
We have been privileged to be associate members of BIGGA for several years. With a robust membership of over 5,500 individuals across the UK, Europe, and beyond, BIGGA stands as the premier community for golf greenkeepers outside the United States. The organisation fosters a collaborative environment where members share insights, discuss best practices, and support one another to enhance the broader industry.
We were delighted when Kris Parker Membership Services Manager – South West & South Wales invited us to the free Grinding Workshop on July 2nd, 2024. These workshops are a refreshing initiative, providing an excellent opportunity for staff to gain hands-on experience with equipment they might not usually encounter.
The turnout was impressive, featuring a mix of apprentices and their mentors, which underscored the supportive atmosphere of the event.
Workshop Overview: The workshop, jointly hosted by BIGGA and Bernhard, took place at Corhampton Golf Club in Southampton, UK. Now I know the mention of one partial brand will usually send 50% of the crowd walking in the opposite direction but I do encourage you to attend of of these events if they pop up. Scott Purdy and Dean Rook of Bernhard do a fantastic job of creating a neutral environment. There are other products on the market, and clubs own other products but these workshops are focused on education first and not sales.
Session Breakdown:
- Introduction: Kris Parker kicked off the day with welcoming remarks.
- History & Evolution of Bernhard: Scott Purdy provided an overview of Bernhard’s journey, from their first grinder to contemporary innovations like electronic high-of-cut bars and in-soil sensors.
- Q&A Session: An interactive session followed Scott’s presentation.
- Hands-On Demonstrations:
- Anglemaster for Bottom Blades: Demonstrated the precision grinding of bottom blades.
- ExpressDuel for Cylinders: Showcased the setup and use of the ExpressDuel grinding unit.
- RapidFacer Demonstration: Dean Rook introduced the RapidFacer, a tool for quickly refacing a bottom blade to extend its usability between full regrinds.
All in all, it was a fantastic day lots learned, and managed to meet a couple of people who are members of IGFH! Now I haven’t gone into the technical aspect of the day because I’m not an expert, but I do recommend you reach out to your preferred manufacturer and ask if they have any events like this or would be willing to visit you with some information.