Supporting Excellence at the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open
As the world’s best players compete at the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open, attention naturally turns to the championship-winning shots, dramatic moments and pristine playing surfaces that define a major tournament. Behind the scenes, however, an equally impressive performance is taking place – one driven by agronomic preparation, precision and collaboration.
Hosted by The Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California, and organised by the LPGA Tour, the U.S. Women’s Open runs from 4-7 June 2026. Supporting the championship preparations on the ground is Bernhard and Company’s Emily Casey, Territory Sales Manager for the West and North West, who is working alongside Riviera’s elite greenkeeping team throughout tournament week.
Under the leadership of Golf Course Superintendent Marshall Dick, Riviera’s dedicated team of greenkeepers are responsible for delivering championship conditions worthy of one of the most prestigious events in women’s golf.
The Riviera Country Club: A Championship Venue Like No Other
Few golf courses in the world command the respect and admiration of The Riviera Country Club.
Founded in 1926, Riviera has established itself as one of the game’s most iconic venues, regularly ranked among the top 50 golf courses in the world and within the top 25 in the United States. Its reputation has been built over generations of championship golf, hosting many of the sport’s most celebrated players and events.
Commissioned by the Los Angeles Athletic Club, renowned amateur architect George C. Thomas designed the course free of charge, creating a layout that would become one of golf’s enduring masterpieces. Construction took more than 18 months before the course opened to widespread acclaim in 1927.
Nearly a century later, Riviera remains revered for its natural beauty, strategic complexity and ability to challenge the very best players in the game. For a modern superintendent, preparing such a historic venue for a major championship is both an honor and a significant agronomic responsibility.
Excellence Begins Behind the Scenes
While Riviera’s agronomic programme and George C. Thomas’ timeless design shape the playing experience, much of the course’s performance begins away from the fairways and greens.
Inside the maintenance facility, the greenkeeping team work tirelessly to ensure every mower is operating at peak performance. Throughout the championship, the team has been sharpening their fleet of mowers using Bernhard’s Express Dual 4300 and Anglemaster 4500.
Precision grinding is about far more than presentation. Properly sharpened cutting units produce cleaner cuts, promote healthier turf and help create the smooth, consistent surfaces that championship golf demands. Every hour spent maintaining equipment contributes directly to the quality of the playing conditions experienced by competitors.
It’s often the work that spectators never see that makes the greatest difference.
Tournament Support Beyond the Machine
At Bernhard and Company, our commitment doesn’t end when a grinder is delivered. We believe that achieving exceptional turf conditions requires ongoing support, education and collaboration.
That philosophy was on full display at Riviera.
Throughout tournament week, Emily Casey worked closely with the greenkeeping team both on the golf course and in the workshop, providing hands-on support wherever needed. In addition to assisting with tournament preparation and daily operations, Emily delivered a seminar on ‘The Importance of Keeping Sharp’, sharing knowledge and practical insights that help turf professionals maximise performance long after the championship concludes.
This level of involvement reflects what Bernhard and Company stands for. We don’t simply supply equipment; we partner with turf professionals to help them achieve their goals. Whether through technical support, training, education or on-site assistance at major championships, our focus remains the same: helping our partners produce the very best playing surfaces possible.
We are incredibly proud to see our team supporting turf professionals on one of golf’s biggest stages and contributing to the success of such a prestigious event.
The Importance of Being Sharp
Championship conditions rely on countless small details, and few are more important than maintaining sharp cutting units.
Zero Contact
A true zero-contact setup allows a sharp reel and bedknife to gather and cut grass cleanly without friction. Without proper training, operators can be tempted to tighten the cutting unit by bringing the reel and bedknife into contact in an attempt to improve cut quality.
In reality, this accelerates wear, prematurely damages the bedknife angle and reduces the ejection gap. The result is increased maintenance requirements and reduced cutting performance.
Little and Often
Surgically sharp mower blades slice cleanly through grass tissue, creating a healthier plant and a superior finish. Clean cuts improve turf definition, reduce stress on the plant and contribute to smoother, more consistent ball roll.
Regular sharpening of both the reel and bedknife ensures cutting units continue to perform at their highest level, helping turf managers maintain true, playable surfaces day after day.
It’s a simple philosophy that underpins great turf management: zero contact, little and often.
Collaboration That Delivers Results
The 2026 U.S. Women’s Open serves as a powerful reminder that championship conditions are never achieved by one individual or one piece of equipment alone. They are the result of collaboration between passionate turf professionals, skilled technicians, dedicated equipment managers and trusted industry partners working towards a common goal.
We are honoured to support Superintendent, Marshall Dick, and the entire Riviera turf maintenance team as they prepare one of golf’s most iconic venues for a major championship. Their commitment to excellence is evident in every detail of the course, and we are proud to play a small part in helping them achieve it.
At Bernhard and Company, we remain committed to going beyond the machine – providing the expertise, education and customer care that help turf professionals continually raise standards and deliver exceptional playing surfaces. Because when our customers succeed, the game succeeds too.