Bangkok, Thailand: It was in July last year that Robinswood Golf Club took a significant step towards improving the quality of its playing surfaces by installing state-of-the-art grinding machinery from Bernhard and Company.

But while cutting-edge equipment is an essential part of the equation, the true driving force behind Robinswood’s success is the highly skilled team that maintains the course to the highest standards.

Leading the charge is Course Superintendent Kenny McKay, who oversees a dedicated and skilled team of professionals which includes mechanics and workshop staff who have been fully trained on the new grinders by the Bernhard team to ensure consistent, high-quality sharpening and mower performance. 

The following team members have been equipped with the expertise to operate the new equipment effectively: Phadung Penkratok, Samsak Chanthong, Tanoo Pumkaseam, Pornpracha Phuthong, Panukorn Maneekanta, Jaturapol Noikeaw (Mechanic), Jumlong Kokhong (Mechanic Supervisor), and Mana Unmuang (Workshop Manager).

With almost 70 cutting units in operation, the team has implemented a daily sharpening programme that keeps the equipment in peak condition, ensuring a consistent, clean cut that promotes healthier turf and smoother playing surfaces.

Robinswood Golf Club has an exciting year ahead, with the introduction of the Robinswood Future Champions Series 2025 – a series of monthly tournaments running from March to November that will showcase a selection of the region’s most promising young golfers.

With competition preparation a top priority, keeping the club’s mowers sharp and maintaining consistent turf quality is essential to delivering the best possible playing conditions for each event.

McKay said: “Ensuring that our mowers are operating at peak performance is critical, especially as we prepare to host the Future Champions Series in 2025.

“With our new Bernhard grinding machines, we can confidently and consistently maintain a higher standard of turf quality that will allow these young golfers, and everybody who plays golf with us here, to perform at their best and enjoy the conditioning of our course.”

Sports Turf Solutions, Bernhard and Company’s distributor in Southeast Asia, assisted by Peter Stewart, Bernhard and Company’s Business Development Manager for Asia, visited Robinswood to set up the new Express Dual 5500 reel grinder and the Anglemaster 4500 bedknife grinder – two cutting-edge machines designed to deliver precision sharpening and extend the life of cutting units.

As part of the delivery and set-up process, Sports Turf Solutions ensured that the team working with the grinding machines were fully trained on how to get the very best out of them.

The Express Dual 5500 reel grinder is renowned for its exceptional control and ultimate accuracy. It is the world’s fastest and most innovative reel grinding system and offers the most precise reel conditioning on the market.

With automated in-situ grinding, it ensures that reels are sharpened consistently, reducing downtime and allowing the maintenance team to sharpen units quickly and accurately without removing them from the mower. This not only enhances quality of cut but also extends the life of the equipment, minimising replacement costs.

Complementing the reel grinder, the Anglemaster 4500 bedknife grinder provides unparalleled control and consistency in bedknife sharpening. With variable speed control and precise blade positioning, it guarantees a sharper, cleaner cut that significantly improves turf health and performance.

Together these machines ensure that Robinswood’s turf remains in top condition throughout the year.

The installation of Bernhard and Company machinery in conjunction with Sports Turf Solutions marks a new chapter for Robinswood Golf Club, reflecting a commitment to providing the best possible playing conditions for members, guests, and competitors alike.

*Bernhard and Company and Sports Turf Solutions are both Full Business Members of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.