Bangkok, Thailand: For more than 16 years, Sports Turf Solutions (STS) has been at the cutting edge of tournament excellence in Southeast Asia.

Since becoming the regional distributor for Bernhard Grinders in 2008, STS has played a crucial role in supporting high-profile tournaments, including Asian Tour stops in Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, as well as events on the LPGA, DP World and PGA Tours.

In collaboration with Bernhard Grinders, both companies have frequently deployed Service Managers to assist club workshop teams at host venues. Their tasks include setting up and sharpening mowers to ensure optimal performance during events.

Recent tournaments supported include the International Series Thailand at Bangkok’s Thai Country Club, the Black Mountain Championship in Hua Hin, Thailand, and the LPGA Tour’s Maybank Championship at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club.

At times, the tournament support provided by STS has required the use of its own demonstration grinders to facilitate faster set-up and ensure precision.

A spokesperson for STS said: “Maintaining perfectly sharpened mowers before each event guarantees that courses are presented to the highest standards and look flawless on television.

“The difference between sharpening machinery the old-fashioned way – by back-lapping with contact that causes mower drag – and using modern grinders with zero contact is stark. The contrast is like night and day: mowing a fairway or green with a perfectly sharp mower after using a dull one feels akin to turning on the lights.”

Bernhard Grinders is recognised as a premier sharpening systems in the turf industry, with a substantial number of elite clubs reaping the benefits.

The spokesperson said: “These advanced systems not only enhance turf health and aesthetics but also provide significant financial advantages, making them an invaluable investment for top-tier facilities.

“These include reduced wear and tear on moving parts, less drag on engines, and decreased strain on hydraulic systems. This reduction in stress makes the machines more efficient to operate and less prone to issues such as oil leaks.”

*Sports Turf Solutions, Bernhard & Company and Thai Country Club are all Members of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.