Beyond tournament week: What Bernardus Golf reveals about the future of course management

Preparing for the Solheim Cup was only part of the story at Bernardus Golf, where sustainability, innovation and agronomy combined to shape a modern tournament venue.

When the 2026 Solheim Cup arrived at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands, it offered more than a showcase for elite women’s golf. For Course Manager Niall Richardson and his team, it provided an opportunity to demonstrate how modern tournament preparation is evolving through a blend of sustainable course management, precision technology and changing maintenance practices.

Set within a Natura 2000 protected landscape, Bernardus was designed with environmental considerations at its core. Reduced inputs, water conservation and habitat creation have shaped the venue since construction began in 2017, making it an interesting example of how golf courses are adapting to changing environmental and operational expectations.

In preparation for the event, Bernardus worked with machinery manufacturer John Deere and local dealer Kraakman to assemble a fleet capable of supporting tournament operations before, during and after the championship. While equipment is an important part of any major tournament, the bigger story is how technology is increasingly being used to improve efficiency, support sustainability objectives and help course managers make better-informed decisions.

Course manager Niall Richardson has overseen the development of the project which aims to work alongside the natural environment.

From machinery to management

Many of the technologies now finding their way onto golf courses have their roots in agriculture, where guidance systems, data collection and precision applications have been developed and refined over many years.

According to John Deere’s Golf and Turf Business Manager Paul Trowman, that crossover is helping accelerate adoption within the turf sector.

Developments such as site-specific spraying, machine connectivity and increasingly sophisticated irrigation management are becoming more familiar features of modern course maintenance. The objective is not simply to improve presentation standards, but to make better use of labour, resources and operating budgets.

For managers facing increasing pressure to maintain course quality while controlling costs and reducing inputs, that capability is becoming increasingly relevant.

John Deere’s Paul Trowman (left) and Chris Meacock, who work closely with tournament organisers to meet their equipment needs. 

The rise of battery-powered equipment

One of the most visible trends at Bernardus was the growing use of battery-powered machinery.

Manufacturers continue to invest heavily in battery platforms as clubs look to reduce emissions, fuel use and noise. While environmental benefits are often highlighted, practical considerations can be equally important.

John Deere’s Chris Meacock, Golf and Turf Sales Manager for the UK, Ireland, Benelux, Scandinavia and Central Europe, believes noise reduction is one of the strongest selling points.

“While purchase decisions are often based on the mowers being both clean and quiet, it is the lack of noise that has the greatest impact, not just for operators, but also allowing cutting to be easily scheduled even if greens are close to hotel buildings or neighbours,” he explains.

For facilities operating near residential areas or hospitality venues, quieter maintenance can provide greater flexibility when scheduling work.

However, battery adoption is not without challenges. Charging infrastructure, machine utilisation and long-term operating costs remain important considerations for course managers evaluating whether battery equipment is the right fit for their operation.

Niall describes battery machinery as something of a “double-edged sword”, recognising both its potential benefits and the practical realities of integrating new technology into an established maintenance programme.

Just some of the extensive fleet of John Deere machinery supplied for the Solheim Cup; note the extensive use of solar panels on the shed. 

Connected courses

Connectivity is another area seeing rapid development.

Modern fleet management platforms allow managers to monitor machine location, utilisation, operating hours and maintenance requirements remotely. The data can help improve planning, support preventative maintenance and provide a clearer understanding of how equipment is being used across a site.

For venues preparing for major tournaments, where multiple teams may be operating simultaneously, that visibility can be particularly valuable.

Niall believes these technologies offer considerable potential. “I’m used to a more manual way of working, but I can see the value of connectivity.”

He highlights the ability to adjust machine settings quickly and accurately through onboard systems, reducing the need for manual intervention while helping deliver consistent presentation standards.

The course offers a natural heathland feel; extensive tree planting took place during its development and more trees and shrubs were transplanted in the run up to the tournament. 

Sustainability by design

Perhaps the most compelling aspect of Bernardus is not the machinery fleet but the philosophy that underpins the course itself.

Half of the site’s 82 hectares has been dedicated to wildlife habitat, while the playing surfaces have been developed around drought-tolerant fine fescue grasses that require fewer inputs than many alternative species.

Water is collected and reused wherever possible, and course presentation embraces a “brown is the new green” philosophy that prioritises firm, fast playing surfaces over the appearance of constantly lush turf.

“The Green Deal shaped the way the course was designed. Everything that we do takes the environment and sustainability into account,” explains Niall.

More than 1,200 semi-mature trees have been planted since the course opened, while further transplantation work ahead of the Solheim Cup helped integrate the venue into the surrounding landscape.

That philosophy was tested during a summer that included four separate 40°C heatwaves.

In the lead-up to the tournament, Niall took the unusual decision to give the course five days of complete rest, suspending maintenance operations to reduce stress on the turf before championship week.

The decision reflected an increasingly important lesson for turf managers: knowing when not to intervene can be just as valuable as selecting the right maintenance practice.

Bernardus seniors with a selection of kit. 

Delivering championship conditions

For the Solheim Cup, Bernardus’ team of 18 full-time greenkeepers was supported by around 70 volunteers, creating a workforce approaching 100 people once technical support personnel were included.

Maintenance programmes were adapted to suit conditions, with twice-daily mowing replaced by a more flexible approach based on mowing, rolling and selective additional cutting where required.

The approach reflected a broader

trend in tournament preparation, balancing presentation standards with turf health and long-term performance rather than pursuing speed and visual perfection at any cost.

Looking beyond tournament week

While the Solheim Cup provided a high-profile stage for new machinery and technology, the more significant story may be what it reveals about the changing priorities of golf course management.

Course managers are under increasing pressure to balance playing quality with sustainability targets, rising operational costs, labour shortages and growing expectations around environmental stewardship. The challenge is no longer simply producing tournament conditions; it is doing so with fewer resources, greater scrutiny and a changing climate.

The impressive clubhouse, complete with high end Nikkei (Japanese and Peruvian) restaurant. 

At Bernardus, that approach can be seen in everything from the use of drought-tolerant fescues and recycled irrigation water to the adoption of connected equipment and lower-emission machinery. Under Niall’s stewardship, the focus has remained on finding practical ways to balance championship standards with environmental responsibility. Technology plays an important role, but it supports a wider management philosophy rather than driving it.

The Solheim Cup lasted only a week, but the lessons from its host venue are likely to resonate much longer. For turf managers, the key takeaway is not the machinery on display, but the broader direction of travel.

The future of course management will be shaped by a combination of sound agronomy, skilled people and carefully applied technology, with success measured not only by championship presentation, but by how efficiently and sustainably those standards can be achieved year after year.