A Day of Insight, Innovation and Turf Care Excellence at Pike Hills Golf Club

Turfcare professionals gathered at Pike Hills Golf Club, York, for an exclusive Dennis & SISIS Groundcare Education Event -a day dedicated to learning, innovation and celebrating the passion behind world-class turf management. Despite forecasts predicting a storm, the weather held out, offering a cool and breezy day that stayed dry -perfect conditions for an outdoor machinery demonstration.

The morning kicked off at 10:30am with registration and refreshments, including the ever-popular bacon and sausage cobs. Attendees mingled, caught up with industry peers and settled in for what promised to be a highly informative day. The atmosphere was buzzing with excitement as guests anticipated the expert-led sessions ahead.

From 11:00am, the focus turned to education and knowledge sharing. Presenters offered attendees practical advice, actionable insights and strategies to enhance turf performance:

Ewen Wilson (Dennis & SISIS) covered The Principles of Aeration, demonstrating how proper aeration can improve soil structure, reduce compaction and help turf thrive. His session highlighted the science behind effective aeration and why it’s a cornerstone of successful turf management.

Paul Lowe (Aquatrols) discussed Fairway Recovery & Moisture Management, exploring techniques to optimise moisture levels, promote healthy growth and recover stressed turf. Paul’s session resonated with attendees, particularly as managing water effectively is becoming increasingly crucial for grounds teams.

Stuart Yarwood (DLF) presented on Grass Seed Selection & Moving Forward, guiding participants through selecting the right grass varieties for specific conditions and long-term turf success. Stuart’s tips offered practical takeaways for improving resilience, aesthetics and playability. Stuart was former Head Greenkeeper at Lymm Golf Club for 17 years so is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to preparing a golf course.

Live Demonstrations: Seeing Machinery in Action

From 12:30pm, the day moved outdoors for live demonstrations of the latest Dennis & SISIS machinery. Attendees saw first-hand how cutting-edge equipment supports grounds teams in achieving exceptional results:

The Veemo and Megaslit showcased precise scarification and aeration and surface preparation.

The Multitiner 1.8m and Multislit 1500 demonstrated their efficiency in aerating healthy fairways.

The Triplay, equipped with spiker slitter and spring tine rakes, highlighted versatility for different turf needs.

Attendees also saw the Flexibrush, Dennis Razor Ultra and Dennis ES-22U in action — tools designed for efficiency, precision and superior turf quality.

Crowds were engaged and impressed, asking questions and seeing the benefits of each machine in real time. The combination of live demonstrations with expert commentary gave participants a comprehensive understanding of how technology and technique come together in modern turf care.

Industry Perspective

Reflecting on the significance of the event, Darren McMahon, Marketing Manager at Dennis & SISIS, said:

“Events like this are vital for the industry. They bring together grounds professionals, suppliers and manufacturers to share knowledge and experience. It’s not just about the machines -it’s about education, collaboration and driving the standards of turf care forward together.”

The event concluded with an open Q&A session, where attendees could delve deeper into the topics covered, ask questions about machinery and gain practical advice for their own courses. From start to finish, the day embodied Dennis & SISIS’ commitment to innovation, education and supporting the turf care industry.

Attendees left inspired, equipped with new knowledge and with a firsthand appreciation of the tools and techniques that can elevate turf management standards. It was a day to learn, connect and experience industry-leading equipment up close - a true celebration of turf care excellence.

Interested in attending the next one? Email alison.pickering@howardsongroup.com