Pitchcare attends the Husqvarna British Masters Turf & Tech Conference

Pitchcare was delighted to attend Husqvarna's inaugural Turf & Tech Conference yesterday at The Belfry during tournament week at the Husqvarna British Masters, hosted by six-time Major winner and Husqvarna ambassador Nick Faldo.

Welcoming delegates, Faldo reflected on both the rich history of The Belfry and the increasing impact technology is having on golf course management.

"I've been here for four years, but this is very special," said Faldo, who shared his own experiences using robotic mowing technology both at home and within his golf course design projects.

Speaking about the benefits of automation, he highlighted the precision and flexibility of robotic mowing systems, explaining how course managers can make adjustments remotely.

"One of the great features is that you don't have to be out on the golf course. You don't have to be coming up at five in the morning to crank up the old mowers. You can do it on your app, send your blades up or down depending on the conditions."

Faldo also praised the role robotics can play in golf course construction and maintenance, particularly on challenging terrain and newly established surfaces.

"It's really important. The robots can cope with slopes and areas that would be difficult or dangerous for operators, and they're fantastic for growing in a golf course because of their low weight compared to traditional equipment."

Opening the conference, Glen Instone, CEO of Husqvarna Group, spoke passionately about the company's culture of innovation and the importance of continually adapting to meet the challenges facing the industry.

"Innovation is really solving a pain point... How do we continue to innovate to really solve pain points and make whatever solution we're trying to improve even better?" he said.

He added: "Technology is not really the point we're getting across. This is about connection and connectivity... when they all come together seamlessly, that's when the real transformation truly happens."

The scale and pace of change was highlighted by Yvette Henshall-Bell, Husqvarna President, who revealed that robotic mowers are now operating on more than 2,000 golf courses worldwide, including The Belfry itself.

"Four years ago, our first robots built for golf courses rolled off the line, and today they're cutting fairways at The Belfry at the Husqvarna British Masters."

One of the most compelling stories shared during the conference was that of a Scottish course manager who had considered leaving the profession due to the physical demands of the role.

"Autonomous mowing took away the relentless part off his shoulders and handed him back the part he still loved."

A panel discussion featuring Renata Roelveld, CEO of the Golf Course Association Europe (GCAE), and Jim Croxton, CEO of BIGGA (pictured above), explored findings from a pan-European survey on autonomous mowing.

"When we first started with robotic mowing everybody was looking at reducing cost, and to see that there's so much more, so many more benefits to it, is really good to see," said Renata, pointing to improvements in turf health and course quality.

Jim Croxton added: "The fact that there were no negative themes from the survey, I think, is extraordinary." He also stressed that technology is enhancing rather than replacing the role of greenkeepers.

"We aren't seeing the technology replace people. We're seeing people getting more chance to be productive, collaborate and be innovative whilst the labour gets on with cutting grass."

For Pitchcare, the conference provided an insightful look at how robotics, connectivity and data-driven decision-making are reshaping golf course management. From Sir Nick Faldo's real-world experiences to discussions around sustainability, labour challenges and playing surface quality, the clear message from The Belfry was that technology is helping golf facilities work smarter while allowing greenkeepers to focus on delivering even higher standards on the course.