New Bernhard and Company installation at Miklagard Golf Club
We have recently completed a new installation of the Express Dual 5500 and Anglemaster 4500 at Miklagard Golf Club, located just outside of Oslo and widely recognised as one of Norway’s finest golf venues. The installation and training were carried out by Paul Wilcox, our Territory Manager for Europe, alongside our Norwegian distributor, TveitPark (our 2024 European Distributor of the Year), led by Frode Tjelta
A course built to withstand the Nordic climate
Miklagard Golf Club is led by Golf Course Manager, Duncan Bruce, a Scot who has spent more than two decades managing golf courses across Norway. Duncan originally began his career at Miklagard as part of the greenkeeping team before taking senior roles elsewhere, including Head Greenkeeper at Losby. He returned to Miklagard three years ago to take up the role of Course Manager and now also serves as president of the Norwegian Greenkeepers Association, remaining active within FEGGA.
Few know the realities of Nordic turf management better than Duncan. He regularly deals with extreme winter conditions, where sudden thaws beneath snow-covered greens can quickly refreeze, killing dormant turf in a phenomenon widely known as winter kill. This cycle is a constant challenge for greenkeepers in the region, making reliability and precision in cutting unit maintenance absolutely essential.
Why Bernhard and Company grinders were the right fit
The decision to invest in the Express Dual 5500 and Anglemaster 4500 grinders was originally influenced by Miklagard’s former mechanic, Cristian, who had used the same models during his previous role in Sweden. Impressed by their speed, accuracy, and ease of use, he was keen to bring the same capability to Miklagard.
Although Cristian has since moved out of the golf industry, Duncan was reassured that the grinders were still the right long-term choice, especially given the challenge of recruiting experienced mechanics across Europe. Increasingly, clubs are seeking equipment that can be operated by greenkeeping staff without a mechanical background. Bernhard grinders, including the top-of-the-range Express Dual 5500 and Anglemaster 4500 models, are purpose-built for exactly this reality.
At Miklagard, the responsibility for cutting unit setup and maintenance now sits with Stuart McDermid, Duncan’s Assistant Course Manager. Stuart is not a trained mechanic, yet with our intuitive engineering and expert on-site training, he has already taken full responsibility of the grinding operation. Duncan has also been trained to operate the machines, and the plan is to train an additional seasonal team member next spring.
This installation is a clear example of how our grinding machinery empowers greenkeeping teams with impressive ease-of-use, ensuring consistent, high-quality results even when specialist mechanical recruitment is difficult.
Training delivered with local partnership
Paul Wilcox led the installation and two-day training programme, supported by Frode Tjelta of TveitPark. Training began with Stuart on the Anglemaster, followed by Duncan, ensuring both team members are confident and capable with their new investment.
The collaboration with TveitPark continues to strengthen our support and network with clubs across Norway, and it was fantastic to work together once again on such a prestigious project.
Supporting one of Norway’s most regarded courses
With the Express Dual 5500 and Anglemaster 4500 machines now installed, Miklagard is equipped with industry-leading grinding technology that will help the team maintain tournament-quality playing surfaces throughout the season, and protect turf health during the toughest Nordic winters.
Here at Bernhard and Company, we are proud to support Duncan, Stuart, and the wider team at Miklagard as they continue to deliver exceptional course conditions in one of the most challenging climates in Europe.
