Partnership with Bernhard Academy will send GCSAA members to the 2025 BTME conference

Lawrence, Kan. (Sept. 10, 2024) – Ten members of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) have been selected for the Bernhard Academy Links to Success United Kingdom 2025, and they will attend the 2025 BTME conference in Harrogate, England, in January.

For more than two decades, Bernhard has selected 10 members of the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) to attend the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show in the U.S. to experience the show, and through this program, North American superintendents will now have the opportunity for a similar experience in the UK.

“We are very proud to introduce this initiative to GCSAA members,” Sami Strutt, Bernhard Academy education director, said, “We look forward to welcoming the selected 10 to the UK to visit BTME, the largest turf exhibition outside the U.S. and to take part in the Continue to Learn education program in Harrogate. We’re excited to get them to explore British turf practices and discover iconic golf courses.”

While in the UK, the GCSAA delegation will experience traditional Links golf courses, get an inside look of an Open Championship golf course, discover the heritage of the first Ryder Cup venue, attend the BTME annual conference, have global networking opportunities and more.

The members of the Bernhard Academy Links to Success United Kingdom 2025 class are:

• Brent Downs, CGCS, MG, director of agronomy at Otter Creek Golf Course in Seymour, Ind.
• Tyler Miget, equipment manager at Harmony Club in Timnath, Colo.
• Matt Gourlay, CGCS, MG, AGS, superintendent at Hillcrest Country Club in Boise, Idaho
• Cole Miedema, assistant superintendent at Overlake Golf & Country Club in Medina, Wash.
• Matthew Overton, superintendent at Buffalo (Wyo.) Golf
• Emily Casey, assistant superintendent at Seven Canyons in Flagstaff, Ariz.
• Matt Earhart, superintendent at Chartwell Golf & Country Club in Severna Park, Md.
• Clay Payne, superintendent at Buffalo Dunes Golf Course in Garden City, Kan.
• Ryan Franklin, CGCS, superintendent at Brickyard Crossing Golf Course in Indianapolis, Ind.
• Carol Turner, superintendent at Bigwin Island Golf Club in Huntsville, Ontario

“The Links to Success program will no doubt strengthen international relationships within the industry,” Kevin Sunderman, CGCS, GCSAA chief operating officer, said. “This opportunity will benefit not only the GCSAA members involved but will enhance the future of the game of golf.”

To learn more, visit gcsaa.org/foundation/education/links-to-success.