A gathering of international visitors took part in a programme of events marking the official opening of Bernhard Court, the new flagship premises in Rugby of Bernhard and Company.
The highlight of the day was the official opening ceremony of Bernhard Court by His Royal Highness The Earl of Wessex.
Managing Director Stephen Bernhard said, “Tuesday’s visit by Prince Edward is the culmination of a lot of hard work and detailed planning by many of our Rugby based team. It goes without saying that the honour of having His Royal Highness come to open our offices is something I and all the Bernhard team feel immensely proud of. It was also a well deserved recognition of our recent Queen’s Award for Enterprise.”
The afternoon’s celebration began with His Royal Highness, accompanied by the Lord-Lieutenant of Warwickshire, Martin Dunne, being given a short tour of the building. Later he was introduced to a number of staff and guests with whom he chatted energetically about the global turf industry before unveiling a plaque commemorating the special day.
The event was given a truly international flavour as delegates from the golf course maintenance industry’s international management associations attended the event to meet Prince Edward. Following the Royal visit, representatives from the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA), the Federation of European Golf Greenkeepers Association (FEGGA), the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) and the Golf Course Superintendents Association of Ireland (GCSAI) attended a full day session at Bernhard Court to discuss major issues facing their industry.
“We were proud to host senior executives from the GCSAA, FEGGA, GCSAI, BIGGA and FEGGA as well as several well known industry leaders at the opening ceremony, reflecting our interest in promoting international relations”, added Bernhard.
In addition to industry executives, top sales representatives from Bernhard’s North American sales operation were in attendance as part of a week long sales incentive trip. Along with meeting the Earl, the sales team visited some of Britain’s best attractions including Warwick Castle, Hook Norton Brewery, Waddesdon Manor, Stratford-upon-Avon, London and the Land Rover Experience at Land Rover’s manufacturing facility in Solihull.
“An added plus was the initiative to involve Land Rover in our celebrations. They kindly hosted the group of international visitors to the Land Rover Experience and provided several prestige vehicles for the week. The outcome, we hope, will be extended special interest in Land Rover, another “best of British” from around the world of professional golf maintenance personnel,” said Bernhard.
Bernhard and Company are manufacturers of the award winning and highly-regarded Express Dual and Anglemaster sharpening systems. Used by leading golf clubs and sports turf facilities worldwide, this equipment produces surgically sharp blades on cylinder mowers, allowing sports providers to create first-class presentation standards.
Bernhard’s specialist expertise is much in demand, supporting the preparation of notable golf tournaments around the globe such as: The US Open, The Ryder Cup, The Open Championship, The PGA Championship, and many other major tour events.
The company is associated with the Bernhard family’s long established landscape, nursery and sports surfaces businesses also based in Rugby.
Bernhard and Company Limited www.bernhard.co.uk