Harrogate, Yorkshire, England: The British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) has revealed that Stephen Bernhard will be presented with the Outstanding Contribution Award with Kress at BTME 2025.

The BIGGA Awards are the main event of the BIGGA Celebration, hosted by Kress. The event takes place on the opening evening of the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition (BTME) at the Harrogate Convention Centre (January 21-23).

Held in Harrogate each January, BTME is Europe’s largest gathering of golf greenkeepers and provides world class education and networking opportunities for BIGGA members and those working in the sports turf and golf industries.

With an unwavering commitment to education and professional development, Bernhard has provided countless opportunities for greenkeepers to achieve new heights, not least through his support of the BIGGA Delegation to the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show and the establishment of the Bernhard Academy in 2019.

Jim Croxton, BIGGA CEO, said: “Stephen has been an inspirational character in our industry for decades and via his generous support – in particular of the BIGGA Delegation to the United States – he has made positive contributions to countless careers in greenkeeping. His enthusiasm for greenkeeping and the wider sports turf and horticultural sectors have been undimmed with the passing of time.

“He has always sought to innovate and challenge where appropriate and time spent with Stephen is always thought-provoking. I’m thrilled that we are able to recognise his outstanding commitment to our industry in this way.”

Bernhard worked in his father Jeffrey Bernhard’s turf nursery and landscaping business from a young age. He formed Bernhard and Company in the 1970s and the business became a leading name in spin grinding in the 1980s with its Anglemaster and Express Dual machines.

Throughout its history Bernhard and Company has built a reputation for providing a range of innovative sharpening tools alongside educational support for greenkeepers and grounds people and in 2008 the company was awarded the Queen’s Award for Industry.

*Bernhard and Company is a Full Business Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.