A recent trip to Rugby gave me the opportunity to meet up with Sami Strutt, who recently took on her new role as education director of the Bernhard Academy.
Steven Nixon, the managing director at Bernhard and Company, said upon Sami joining, “We’re delighted to be appointing Sami as our new education director, in what is a really exciting period for the Bernhard Academy. There is absolutely no doubt that Sami has the experience and tools required to take the Bernhard Academy to the next level, as we continue to roll out new programmes and workshop opportunities around the world.”
Laurence Gale with Sami Strutt
The Bernhard Academy was, funnily enough, officially opened by Sami when she worked for BIGGA, back in 2019 when the vision of Bernhard and Company was to set up a hub of knowledge for the turf industry and a centre promoting learning and development across all sectors of the turf grass industry both in the UK and abroad.
Back then, the accredited training was delivered in several formats at the purpose-built Bernhard and Company factory facility in Haverhill - hands-on, theory or via online learning. A wide range of modular and short courses were also offered, along with two signature courses - those being a turf technician course and a turf manager's course.
Sami joins the Bernhard Academy team at their production factory based in Suffolk, with a wealth of experience, having performed numerous roles in a 30-year tenure at BIGGA.
TurfPro: How did this opportunity come about?
Sami Strutt: It began with a random telephone call from Steven Nixon just to have a chat about education. This led to a more formal discussion about the opportunities that the Bernhard Academy could offer turf professionals across the globe.
Under the leadership of Stephen Bernhard and Steven Nixon, Bernhard and Company have built a fabulous reputation and brand that is synonymous with precision and the quality of natural grass playing surfaces. In particular, the maintenance of golf courses around the world.
Bernhard are renowned for the tournament support they offer, in terms of providing grinding machines and expertise for maintenance teams during major golfing tournaments.
This opportunity is one that I never imagined would be made available to me, so it is one that I couldn’t turn down. The Bernhard Academy is proof of Bernhard and Company’s commitment and investment into enhancing the careers of greenkeepers and sports turf professionals - from those with decades of experience, all the way to those who are just starting out. The Bernhard Academy is providing something really positive to the turf industry, so I’m really excited to be part of that.
TP: What are your initial aims and objectives in your new role?
SS: To enhance / create and deliver a series of bespoke courses and training programmes that will benefit the practitioners in delivering high quality playing surfaces via both new and innovative agronomic and management practices.
Using a wealth of contacts, we can be responsive to our customers’ needs. If there is one thing I have learned over the years, it’s that I'm not afraid just to pick up the phone or to send an email and initiate new opportunities, which over time brings successful results to all those concerned.
My team and I will continue to develop new training modules, to complement the range of existing programmes we already have in place, to help greenkeepers, equipment managers, and turf professionals take their performance to the next level.
I am also thrilled to announce that we have recently expanded our leadership team by appointing Phil Helmn as our full-time programme leader for agronomy, leadership, and management.
In his new role, Phil will oversee the delivery of all Bernhard Academy courses and workshops related to agronomy, leadership, and management. He will collaborate closely with me and our internal and external teams to ensure a coordinated and enriching experience at the Bernhard Academy.
With over 35 years of experience in the turf and agronomy industry, Phil brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our team. He has managed full golf course construction projects and has previously supported the Bernhard Academy as a speaker and workshop guest. Phil is a GCSAA Class E (Educator) member and a Master Greenkeeper, a prestigious title held by only a few worldwide.
TP: What are your short, medium and long term targets for the Academy?
SS: Our short-term targets will be to set up a calendar of events for this autumn and winter. As for medium and longer term targets, I have a mind map full of ideas of what we want to do, with the focus on leadership and management.
We will continue to provide experienced based learning about the best agronomical and economic advantages, that can be taught either at your facility or in-person workshops at any of our partner facilities. Alternately, we can operate webinar series’ which can be streamed live from our Bernhard Academy to an online audience.
We currently have four external training venues we use, Moortown GC in Leeds, Gleneagles GC in Scotland, Oakmont and Royal Norwich GC in Norfolk. No doubt we will be looking at other venues both home and abroad in the near future. I can see myself travelling to some interesting overseas facilities to cater for our increasing interest in our academy courses.
TP: Will you need any extra staff to help deliver these courses?
SS: Yes, we have already recruited Phil Helm and we are currently advertising for another person to join the team, and as the business grows we will continue to grow the team.
TP: What will be the duration and cost of these courses?
SS: It all depends on numbers, type of course, the venue and whether it’s half day, full day or a residential course. But much in line with other training providers.
TP: Do you think this academy has a part to play in the recruitment of new blood into the industry?
SS: Yes, definitely. We can tailor bespoke courses to suit newcomers coming into our industry
We are big supporters of events such as First Green and other initiatives taking place within the industry. We will get as involved as we can to expose the profession to as wide an audience as possible.
I also agree with some of your sentiments on the subject, in that we need educate people outside of our industry to understand the complexities and challenges that turf professionals face on a daily basis to deliver these prestigious playing surfaces. We also need to go into schools and sell our industry to tempt them to come and see for themselves the scope, variety of work, and career prospects that are available in our industry - along with understanding what educational and training opportunities there are for people entering the sector.
TP: What fundamental changes have you seen regarding greenkeeper welfare in recent years?
SS: In recent years we have seen a shift in the attitudes towards greenkeeping staff. We are now more aware of the mental health issues that can manifest whist trying to deal with the pressures of maintaining a golf course - especially with limited resources.
We have seen a dramatic shift in attitudes towards these issues. The industry is now more aware of the problems and there is more education out there and support systems to help greenkeepers retain a better work life balance.
TP: Will you be working closely with BIGGA, your old employer?
SS. Absolutely. Bernhard and Company has had a very long working association with BIGGA on the education and training of greenkeepers for many years, and I have no doubt we will both be continuing with this relationship for many more years to come.
I have loved working for BIGGA and I anticipated spending my entire career with the association. Being able to have so much input into a business that I joined when I was so young was amazing - but I’m certain that this move is the right decision.
What I achieved with BIGGA has given me the experience and ability to take this next step.
No doubt the next few years are going to be full on, busy and exciting to say the least. I am confident that between us all at Bernhard Academys though, we will strive and deliver an inspiring range of education and training programmes to meet the needs of the next generation of turf professionals in a constantly evolving sector.
TP: Thank you.
