Wednesday 24 September 2025

Raising the Standard: Greenkeeping Seminars Inspire Clubs at Blaby and Woodhall Town Spa

Two recent greenkeeping seminars held at Blaby Bowling Club in Leicestershire and Woodhall Town Spa in Lincolnshire proved to be a huge success, drawing bowls greenkeepers and volunteers from across the regions. Each event offered a full day of expert presentations, on-green demonstrations and the chance for attendees to share experiences and learn from one another.

The day began with registration and refreshments before moving into an engaging programme of talks led by Stuart Yarwood of DLF Seeds, whose knowledge, experience and humour brought real depth to the sessions. In his early career Stuart spent 17 years as Course Manager at Lymm Golf Club so has a wealth of knowledge as well as achieving a Master Greenkeeper certificate in 2010. He is one of only seven people in the world to have gained the R&A Gold Scholar Award for his role in the facilitation of the R&A Scholars programme.

Topics included in both seminars included greens maintenance during the bowling season, grass seed selection and a live on-green SISIS and Dennis Mower demonstration where delegates were able to see the machines up close and personal. After a complimentary lunch, the afternoon turned its focus to mower maintenance and grant funding where individual questions could be raised and discussed. UK Sales Manager Jason Briggs ran the mower maintenance workshop showing attendees how to set their cylinder to bottom blade correctly as well as showing them how to backlap to put a sharp edge back on their cylinders throughout the busy season.

What made the seminars stand out was the balance between theory and practice. Delegates were not only given the science behind turf care but also shown how to apply it to their own greens. The message of “little and often” when it comes to aeration and turf care was reinforced throughout the day, with expert advice highlighting the importance of small, consistent actions in creating long-term results.

Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive. Neil Cheadle of Stretton Bowls Club described the seminar as “really engaging and enthusiastic,” adding that he had taken away practical advice he could use straight away, particularly around the benefits of regular spiking to help air, water and fertiliser penetrate the soil. Alan Harrison from Henhurst & District Bowls Club commented on how clear and easy to follow the sessions were, saying he left with a solid plan to help improve his club’s green despite starting out with very little knowledge.

For others, the networking aspect was equally valuable. David Linney from Market Bosworth said it was “a fantastic day for connecting with like-minded people who face the same challenges,” while James Anderson-Ray of Hanbury & Draycott Bowls Club highlighted the practical knowledge he gained around machinery use and topdressing.

Several attendees also praised the delivery of the sessions. Dave Cave of Thringstone said the event was “out with the old and in with the new,” describing the presenters as knowledgeable, witty and engaging, while fellow Thringstone member Chris Sparks noted that the seminar reinforced the importance of prevention rather than cure in turf management.

Chris Dennis of Wanstead Bowls Club in Essex summed up the day by calling it “absolutely brilliant – a superb seminar and a real eye-opener,” adding that many clubs could benefit from the kind of practical support and expertise on offer.

Reflecting on the success of the events, Jason Briggs, UK Sales Manager, commented:
“These seminars are all about giving clubs the knowledge and confidence to get the very best out of their greens. Whether it’s understanding the importance of aeration, choosing the right seed or learning how to maintain equipment, it’s about sharing practical advice that makes a real difference on the ground. What’s been really encouraging is the enthusiasm from everyone who attended from experienced greenkeepers to volunteers just starting out. The feedback has been fantastic, and it shows there’s a real appetite for more opportunities like this across the bowls community.”

The strong turnout and positive response at both Blaby and Woodhall Town Spa demonstrate just how valuable these events are for clubs looking to take their greenkeeping to the next level. Attendees left not only with useful tips and ideas but also with renewed confidence and enthusiasm to put what they had learned into practice at their own clubs.

Plans are already being put into place for next years seminars, ensuring that even more clubs will have access to the training, advice and support they need to keep their greens in the best possible condition.