Rugby, Warwickshire, England: Stephen Bernhard, Founder of Bernhard and Company, has passed away at the age of 79.

“We have lost a true pioneer. Stephen Bernhard wasn’t just the Founder of Bernhard and Company – he was the heartbeat. His vision and relentless drive transformed turf care across the globe, and his legacy will continue to shape everything we do,” said Steven Nixon, Bernhard and Company’s Managing Director.

Chris Gray, President of the Asian Golf Industry Federation, said: “Stephen was well known and well respected in our region. Through his visits to Asia and attendance at conferences he touched the lives of many. Our condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.”

A statement issued by Bernhard and Company said: “With an unwavering passion for excellence, Stephen built Bernhard and Company from the ground up into a world leader in turf technology. His curiosity and drive to improve standards across the turf industry have helped professionals worldwide deliver better turf and elevate their careers and businesses.

“Education was at the centre of Stephen’s philosophy. The Bernhard Academy stands as a lasting testament to his belief in sharing knowledge and opening doors for others. His commitment to helping people develop – both personally and professionally – touched so many lives and remains one of his most powerful legacies.”

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.

Bernhard’s career included more than 25 years of involvement with the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) Delegation, a collaboration he took great pride in delivering to more than 200 greenkeepers alongside BIGGA.

In 2008, Bernhard received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade – an achievement of which he was immensely proud. At this year’s BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition (BTME), Bernhard received BIGGA’s Outstanding Contribution Award, in recognition of a lifetime dedicated to supporting and improving the industry that he so much loved.

At the awards ceremony, 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.”

Beyond the accolades, Bernhard will be remembered for his humility, kindness, and deep respect for the people who make this industry what it is.

Nixon said: “Stephen’s impact on our company and our industry is immeasurable. His leadership, creativity, and compassion built the foundations upon which Bernhard and Company proudly stands today. We will honour his memory by continuing to champion the innovation, education, and excellence he so passionately believed in.

“To me, Stephen was so much more than a leader. He was a mentor who gave me the confidence to make mistakes, to learn, and to lead. He believed in people, and he believed in me. That belief changed my life. Stephen was a friend I cared for deeply. His wisdom and kindness will stay with me always.”

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