Seminar Spectacular Dennis and SISIS bowls event returns in style

The highly regarded Dennis and SISIS bowling green maintenance seminar recently made its grand return after being put on hold for two years due to the pandemic.

The informative seminars, which are designed to help club greenkeepers and volunteers maintain their bowling greens, have been sorely missed by many in the sector. However, on April 6 and 7 at the Wycliffe Bowls Club in Lutterworth, Leicester, the seminars came roaring back into life with a spectacular programme covering all aspects of bowling green maintenance.

Upon arrival delegates were greeted with refreshments before Roger Moore, Sales and Marketing Manager for Dennis and SISIS, introduced the day. In his welcome speech, Roger said ‘the day is not ours – it is yours’ and that certainly rang true as the day unfolded with a feast of invaluable knowledge.

Renowned Turf Consultant Alan Lewis was the first expert to take to the stage. In his presentation, entitled ‘Early Season Greens Maintenance,’ Alan discussed best practice including tips on brushing, scarifying, spraying, verticutting, aerating and watering.

The experienced Matt Gresty, MM and Designer Sales and Brand manager for DLF UK, then advised attendees on how to choose the correct grass seed before the focus turned to mowers.

In the ‘Mower School’ feature, Field Support Manager for Dennis and SISIS, Andy Walker, drew upon his 40 plus years of experience to provide tips on everything from operation to the maintenance of mowers.

After a complimentary lunch, an on-green demonstration was carried out and all delegates got to see many of the maintenance tips both Alan and Andy mentioned in their presentations performed by a range of Dennis and SISIS turf maintenance equipment.

The seminars were rounded off with the popular ‘Turf Clinic’ question and answer session, where delegates got the chance to ask some of their own questions to the experts.

Alan Jones and Graham Healey, two volunteer greenkeepers from Sileby Bowling Club, said the seminar was vital. “It has been eye-opening,” said Graham. “At the half-way point I realised how little I knew about maintaining a green. The reason we came today was to be educated and we can safely say we have been.”
“It’s been excellent,” added Alan. “I’ve learnt for the first time truly what the difference is between scarifying and verticutting.”

Also in attendance was Richard Holding from Lutterworth Bowling Club, who said: “It has been so informative, particularly the discussion on seeds. Seeing the demonstrations on the green has given me a real insight into how to use equipment properly. I’m looking forward to starting spring work and putting into practice everything I have learnt today.”

Alan Penfold, from Burbage Constitutional Bowling Club, was full of praise for the seminar. “It has been extremely helpful in my quest to achieve a better green. I would urge anyone in a similar position to come to this event and to look and listen to everything.”

Dennis and SISIS’ Roger Moore, who was part of the team organising the return of the seminar, said: “It has been fantastic to see the enthusiasm of everybody who attended. I think people want to get back to face-to-face events and this is just the start. We’re looking forward to being back on the road again and hosting more seminars at various bowling clubs throughout the UK.”

Inevitably, the Covid-19 pandemic brought the seminars to a temporary halt during 2020/21, but Dennis and SISIS remained determined to still connect and engage with the bowls greenkeeping community. Plans were quickly put in place and using the latest technology, the Dennis and SISIS Virtual Bowling Green Maintenance Seminar Portal was launched. You can sign-up FREE to the portal here.

Further information about the range of bowls maintenance products available from both manufacturers can be found by visiting www.dennisuk.com / www.sisis.com.