ROBOTICS USED FOR THE FIRST TIME

Husqvarna robotic mowers have cut the playing surfaces for a major golf championship in the United Kingdom for the first time in history.

The AIG Women’s Open at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club in Wales saw robotic mowers cutting the course’s fairways and practice area. They operated via an Exact Positioning Operating System (EPOS) that enables robotic mowers to operate autonomously within virtual boundaries, via a satellite connection. 

In a first for an R&A championship, a fleet of 15 robotic mowers including Husqvarna’s CEORA and Automower models worked at 1.30am to cut Royal Porthcawl’s fairways, supporting the home greenkeeping team preparing the course for the largest women’s sporting event ever to be played in Wales. The robotic mowers finished at around 5am, before being returned to recharge – clearing the way for the greenkeeping team to commence their vital daily tasks. 

Richard Windows, assistant sirector, sustainable agronomy at The R&A, said, “The R&A’s agronomy team across the globe is focused on delivering high performance surfaces in a sustainable way. At the AIG Women’s Open, the Husqvarna portfolio is helping us deliver this goal through improved resource management, regular lightweight mowing and reduced carbon usage.”  

Three-time major champion, Anna Nordqvist said of the Royal Porthcawl course ahead of taking on the AIG Women’s Open, “I’ve played this course a few times and honestly, I didn’t think it could get much better, but I’ve never seen it looking and playing so well. I’m really excited to get out there and play golf on the biggest stage, in these top conditions.”  

Course manager Ian Kinley has championed the use of robotic technology at Royal Porthcawl since first working with Husqvarna in January. He said,“We know there’s tremendous pressure to produce playing surfaces that are worthy of such a high-profile event. It’s been priceless to be able to lean on the support of the Husqvarna team as we prepared for the championship. 

“Autonomous machinery aligns closely with our commitment to more sustainable practices at Royal Porthcawl.  We’re invested in using robots on our course long term and we’re incredibly proud to be one of the first venues in the world to use this technology during the hosting of one of golf’s major championships.” 

Glen Instone, president of Husqvarna Forest & Garden Division, added, "Husqvarna has been building robotic mowers for the professional market exclusively in Europe for 30 years and we’re delighted that the technology has advanced to the level where it is being embraced by the golf industry including one of the game’s biggest stages at the AIG Women’s Open. 

“Our journey with Royal Porthcawl began with Course Manager Ian Kinley’s desire to work with more sustainable solutions and his consideration of how the role of a modern golf greenkeeper may be changing. Ian’s faith in our technology, coupled with collaboration from The R&A’s championship agronomy team, is a source of immense pride for everyone at Husqvarna."   

Throughout the AIG Women’s Open a team of Husqvarna experts was on hand to support the championship in the deployment of 15 Husqvarna CEORA 546 EPOS and two Automower 580L EPOS.