Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex, took part in a ceremony marking the opening of Bernhard Court, a new Bernhard and Co. flagship site in Rugby, England.
“Tuesday's visit by Prince Edward is the culmination of a lot of hard work and detailed planning by many of our Rugby based team,” says Managing Director Stephen Bernhard. “It goes without saying that the honour of having His Royal Highness come to open our offices is something I and all the Bernhard team feel immensely proud of. It was also a well deserved recognition of our recent Queen's Award for Enterprise.”
The afternoon’s celebration began with Prince Edward, accompanied by the Lord-Lieutenant of Warwickshire, Martin Dunne, being given a short tour of the building. Later he was introduced to a number of staff and guests with whom he chatted energetically about the global turf industry before unveiling a plaque commemorating the special day.
Delegates from the golf course maintenance industry’s international management associations attended the event to meet Prince Edward. Following the royal visit, representatives from the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA), the Federation of European Golf Greenkeepers Association (FEGGA), the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) and the Golf Course Superintendents Association of Ireland (GCSAI) attended a full day session at Bernhard Court to discuss major issues facing the industry.
“We were proud to host senior executives from the GCSAA, FEGGA, GCSAI and BIGGA as well as several well known industry leaders at the opening ceremony, reflecting our interest in promoting international relations”, adds Bernhard.
In addition to industry executives, top sales representatives from Bernhard’s North American sales operation were in attendance as part of a week long sales incentive trip. Along with meeting the Earl, the sales team visited some of Britain’s best attractions including Warwick Castle, Hook Norton Brewery, Waddesdon Manor, Stratford-upon-Avon, London and the Land Rover Experience at Land Rover’s manufacturing facility in Solihull.
