Machado’s journey with Terras da Comporta began in 2020 as an advisor and transitioned to a full-time role in October 2023. His deep commitment to environmental sustainability and excellence in golf course maintenance is evident. “It is the project of a lifetime for any superintendent,” he says, reflecting on his role.

Machado’s involvement with Terras da Comporta has been marked by significant milestones and challenges. The project, initiated in 2008 under architect David McLay-Kidd, faced some economic setbacks, but resumed with strength after being bought by Vanguard Properties. Today it stands as one of Europe’s top golf destinations.

“The biggest challenge we face is managing a 100% fescue golf course in southern Europe,” Machado explains. “Maintaining fescue in such a climate requires state-of-the-art irrigation systems and precise moisture management. Fescue needs two to three years to adapt to the environment. We faced disease pressures initially, but by improving our integrated pest management program and optimising irrigation, we have seen significant improvements.”

Sustainability is at the heart of Machado’s philosophy. From the beginning, the project aimed to minimise environmental impact. “Our DNA is sustainability,” he emphasises. “We attempt to save water and maintain the course’s character as a pure links course, which requires it to be hard for the ball to roll properly.” This dedication to sustainability has earned the course recognition as the best golf course in Europe in 2023.

Joao Machado’s dedication to sustainable golf course management has not gone unnoticed. He has been recognised by the Golf Environment Organisation (GEO) as a sustainability champion since 2019. His commitment to sustainability is evident in various aspects of his course management.

The course uses advanced irrigation technology with soil moisture sensors and weather-based controls to optimise water use, ensuring that only necessary amounts are applied, significantly reducing water waste.

IPM strategies are employed to reduce dependence on chemical pesticides. By using biological controls, such as organic fertilisers and treatments. This not only minimises the environmental impact, but also enhances the soil’s microbial activity, promoting stronger and healthier turf. Additionally, regular soil testing ensures that nutrient applications are precisely adapted to the turf’s needs, avoiding over-application.

Machado and his team are dedicated to preserving the natural habitats around the golf course. Areas disturbed during construction are replanted with native vegetation using black sand from the site, which contains seeds of local plants. Non-play areas are allowed to revert to natural conditions, providing habitats for local wildlife and increasing biodiversity.

Waste management protocols ensure that all materials, from clippings to machinery parts, are recycled or disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner.

Machado is also committed to training his team in sustainable practices. “From the moment someone joins our team, they are trained in sustainability,” he explains. This includes expected behaviour on the course, waste management and the use of organic fertilisers, ensuring that every team member contributes to the project’s sustainability goals.

Moreover, community engagement plays a vital role in the project’s success. “Involving the community and supporting local initiatives have been integral to our approach,” Machado highlights. This engagement has not only fostered goodwill but also strengthened the project’s sustainability efforts.

“We aim to be 100% chemical-free,” he declares. “We are already using biological products to improve root health and soil conditions, and we plan to extend these practices to all areas of the course.” He also foresees significant improvements in sustainability within the golf industry. “Legislation and increasing awareness among players and industry stakeholders are driving positive changes,” Machado notes. “In the next decade, I believe most courses in Europe will adopt more environmentally friendly practices.”

Bernhard grinders have also been instrumental in supporting Machado’s efforts to maintain high standards at Terras da Comporta. The precision and efficiency of Bernhard’s semi-automatic grinders have revolutionised the maintenance process. “These grinders save us a tremendous amount of time and improve productivity,” Machado claims. “The operator simply programs the machine, and it handles the rest, allowing our mechanics and greenkeepers to focus on other tasks.”

Sharp, well-maintained blades cut the grass cleanly rather than tearing it, promoting quicker healing and healthier turf. This reduces the need for fertilisers and interventions, aligning with the sustainable management practices implemented by Machado.

The reliability and support from Bernhard has been invaluable. “We haven’t encountered any significant issues with the machines,” Machado says. “Whenever we need assistance, Bernhard’s team is just a call away, ensuring that our equipment remains in top condition. We are not hosting any tournaments yet, but I am sure we will ask for the Bernhard support throughout important events that we host in the future”

Joao Machado and Vanguard Properties’ commitment to sustainable golf course management at Terras da Comporta demonstrates the extraordinary results that can be achieved with innovative practices and a focus on sustainability. Through advanced irrigation systems, organic and biological treatments and the preservation of natural habitats, Terras da Comporta has become a global model for sustainable golf course management. We, as Bernhard and Company are proud to support these initiatives, playing a key role in the course’s success and sustainability.

Commenting on the renewed partnership, Frode Tjelta Managing Director for Tveit Park, said: “We are proud to be the sole distributor for Bernhard and Company products and solutions in Norway. Having worked with Bernhard and Company for many years, we understand their products and know that their quality and attention to detail makes them stand out as an industry leader. It’s important for us to align ourselves with brands that drive the turf industry forward, so we’re excited to be working as their exclusive distributor.”

Steven Nixon, Bernhard and Company Managing Director, added. “We continue to reinvest in relationships that we know work. We are delighted to be extending our agreement with Tveit Park as our exclusive distributor in Norway. We are excited to see where this partnership leads.”

To kick off the new agreement, the new management team at Tveit Park team visited the UK for product and service training at our Haverhill factory facility. In addition, the team has been busy visiting customers all over Norway with our European Territory Manager, Paul Wilcox.

Our products available through Tveit Park in Norway include the renowned Express Dual and Anglemaster ranges of grinding machines, in addition to small machines and accessories. Our grinding machines are used by more than 65 percent of the world’s top 100 golf courses to ensure perfect, tournament-ready playing conditions year-round.

Find more information about our products and services here.

Among them were Jason Balmer, the Sales Manager, and Patrick Nolan, the VP and Chief Financial Officer, responsible for the financial aspects and commercial interests, including the US market. They provided valuable insights into Oakcreek’s industry journey, their experience in the UK, and the long-lasting partnership they’ve maintained with Bernhard and Company, for over 30 years.

Oakcreek has been in operation since 1969, initially starting in the golf cart business and later expanding to the equipment business with Toro. In 1990, they partnered with Bernhard. Oakcreek has a dedicated team of 11 salespeople for turf and three for irrigation. Patrick Nolan also highlighted their impressive presence with six locations in Western Canada, employing around 85 people, and a distributorship in Arizona with approximately 45 employees in the US.

Effective training for salespeople is a vital investment in achieving exceptional results. It goes beyond product knowledge and price negotiation skills. When salespeople have the opportunity to see how products are made, they gain insights into the entire production process, the expertise involved, and the quality standards that go into every product. Balmer emphasised: “Bernhard and Company provided valuable training since we first took on their line products. It’s an essential partnership, offering the best equipment in the industry. Witnessing the Bernhard factory and its product quality first-hand reinforced our confidence in what we offer our customers.”

Over the years, this partnership has developed into a dynamic synergy, enabling Oakcreek to offer its customers the very best in equipment technology, and services. Bernhard and Company’s top-tier turf solutions have not only complemented Oak Creek’s product portfolio but have also empowered their dedicated sales team to provide comprehensive solutions to their valued customers. Balmer added: “This experience has reinvigorated our team, providing a better understanding of the product and its new features, meaning it will help us serve our customers more effectively. It allows us to offer a complete solution to our customers, which is crucial for our business success.”

In the short term, Oakcreek are keen to explore training opportunities at the Bernhard Academy, aiming to further elevate their team’s expertise and strengthen their partnership.

As we concluded our conversation, it became clear that this enduring partnership between Oakcreek and Bernhard and Company is built on trust, quality, shared values, unwavering support, and a commitment to top-level customer service

The K Club is known around the globe for hosting the Ryder Cup back in 2006 – during which, Europe famously cruised to its third consecutive Ryder Cup victory, registering a record-matching rout of the U.S. with clutch putting and inspirational leadership by Northern Ireland’s, Darren Clarke. More recently, The K Club has played host to the DP World Tour’s Irish Open.

Our relationship with The K Club started many years ago, back in 2005. Today, as the bond is a strong as ever, the team at The K Club liaise with our distribution office in Dublin, and are operating with an Express Dual and Anglemaster machine combination that has withstood the test of time, and proven to be an incredibly reliable resource.

Prior to the playing of the 2023 Irish Open in September, we chatted to Pat to understand what takes place in the build-up to hosting such a significant tour event with a great field, and how having our machinery in-place, just helps to ease the pressure.

Freaney said: “One of the most challenging parts of preparation is the maintenance on the older pieces of machinery. In the weeks leading up to the event, a lot of sand is spread across the golf course, so keeping the machinery sharp is a constant battle with the sand out there. Our Bernhard grinders hardly get cold; we will use them almost every day up to three weeks before the tournament. We try to complete the majority of maintenance in the winter, so that it doesn’t interfere with the event.

“We create a routine of constant mowing across the course leading up to the event, so our staff, and myself, get used to the timetable of mowing all day, then when the tournament arrives, we are prepared for the heavy schedule of maintenance and grinding.

“As I previously mentioned, with the amount of sand spread across our main championship course, and our other course which we always keep to a high standard, the grinders are essential. The sand impacts the blades of our machinery, so without the grinders on site, we wouldn’t be able to function. We are using the grinders at least once a week on various mowers. If we had contract grinders, they would be here all the time – they would never leave!

“It’s been a game-changer when the guys from Bernhard come over and help get everything ready and sharp before a big event. It’s only me in the workshop, so when we get a visit from Bernhard, the extra help and preparation helps us a lot.”

Aside from preparing for major tournaments, Pat and his team regularly prepare the two championship courses to the very highest standard at The K Club for member and guest play. With challenges such as reduced availability of fertilisers, and unforeseen equipment damage, we wanted to understand how having our grinding machines helps on a day-to-day basis.

He added: “We try and use the grinders as much as we can, especially on areas such as greens, fairways, and tee boxes, so we can reduce our fertiliser use as much as we can. We are always trying to get a good balance, as we have to spread sand to keep the courses even and firm, but we also need a good quality of cut. Without the grinders we wouldn’t have the versatility, which helps keep the course quality high and ultimately keeps the members happy.

“Only 18 months ago, we had the fairways re-laid and this meant the sprinklers were higher than usual. On multiple occasions, there were blades broken or bent, and they were brought to the workshop and fixed in under 20 minutes thanks to the Bernhard grinders being on-site. They have saved us time and a lot of hassle especially in those moments when something goes wrong.

“I find them very efficient and easy to use. The fact that you don’t have to strip whole units out of machinery and grinders can sit right on top of the blade, as well as the Anglemaster where we just put the blade between the mounting bar, and it goes to work. I can’t speak highly enough about the grinders and how easy they are to use.

“The grinders are the centre of the workshop, and if we didn’t have them, we would be in big trouble. The setup options and versatility you get are great, I personally set the grinders manually but there is an automatic option as well if needed. Being on such a big property and having a reputation as one of the highest quality courses in Ireland, the maintenance work on the courses is essential, and our grinders are an integral part of our work, we can’t fault them.”

We are delighted to be continuing our development within the Canadian territory via a new partnership with Canadian distributor, OJ Compagnie.

Founded in 1967, OJ Compagnie was originally set-up as a specialised seed company, before moving into the golf sphere. Since then, the family-run business has continued to evolve and now conducts around 65% of its operations in golf, with the remaining focus split between lawn care, sod growers, municipal turf, and other businesses within the turf industry.

The new relationship comes as we look to increase our business presence through improved contact with new prospects across Canada, with OJ Compagnie covering the geographical area of Quebec.

Commenting on the new partnership, Phil Jangl at OJ Compagnie, said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with Bernhard and Company and we believe it’s a relationship that will be a hugely beneficial one for both parties.

“I would say that every golf course in Quebec is our customer, whether on a large scale or on a small scale, and we’re well known in the industry. I think we have a good reputation for our customer service and showing that we really care, which is something that Bernhard and Company has always demonstrated too – making this relationship a perfect fit.”

Gary Ray, our Business Development Manager for North America, added: “We are thrilled to continue to enhance our presence in Canada. OJ Compagnie is a business that is undeniably aligned to our values and principles, and we are excited to see where this partnership leads.”

OJ was originally founded by Otto Jangl in 1967, amassing nearly 50 years of experience in the turf maintenance industry. After Otto Jangl passed away in 2008, the business has been run by his children, Gabrielle Jangl and Phil Jangl.

Bernhard and Company grinding machines are used by more than 65 per cent of the world’s top 100 golf courses to ensure perfect, tournament-ready playing conditions year-round, while the company’s turf management solutions and educational support are utilised at major sporting events around the globe.

A family-run business with its roots based firmly in the golf grounds maintenance business, G.C. Duke Equipment is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year under the stewardship of Nolan Duke, who is following in the footsteps of both his father and grandfather in driving the company forward.

The appointment comes as Bernhard and Company looks to ensure it can service current customers more efficiently, while also helping to increase sales through improved contact with new prospects.  G.C. Duke Equipment will be responsible for direct sales and customer relations within Ontario, Canada, and will demonstrate the knowledge and passion that Bernhard and Company possesses for its grinding philosophy.

Commenting on the new partnership, President of G.C. Duke Equipment, Nolan Duke, said: “We’re beyond ecstatic to be partnering with Bernhard and Company because we have a lot of customers who are really in love with Bernhard products, which is a great foundation for us. This partnership is another arrow in the quiver for us to do business with virtually every golf course in our territory.”

Gary Ray, Bernhard and Company’s Business Development Manager for North America, added: “We are excited by the prospect of growing our presence in Canada, and are proud to add G.C. Duke Equipment to our network of world-class distributors who can deliver our industry-leading turf management solutions with efficiency and passion.”

G.C. Duke Equipment was originally founded in 1948, garnering more than seven decades of experience in the turf maintenance industry. Servicing customers within the golf, municipal, and landscape contractor markets, the company possesses a true synergy with Bernhard and Company’s industry-leading turf care prowess.

Bernhard and Company grinding machines are used by more than 65 percent of the world’s top 100 golf courses to ensure perfect, tournament-ready playing conditions year-round, while the company’s turf management solutions and educational support are utilised at major sporting events around the globe.