United KIngdom
September 18, 2025
More than 80 bowling greenkeepers packed into Groundsfest’s inaugural Champion Greens: The Bowls Greenkeeper’s Masterclass — an information-packed day designed to support clubs from flat to crown green.
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Sessions ran from soil health, aeration and topdressing through to mower set-up, water management, nutrition and turf disease control. But the real talking points were grass seed choices — where DLF Seeds took centre stage.
“Bowling greens demand specialist mixtures that balance playability, purity and longevity. With Johnsons Sports Seed and MM we offer premium options trusted across the UK, while our Designer and Masterline ranges provide superb quality and value — ideal for clubs working to tighter budgets but still demanding excellent germination and purity,”
Stuart Yarwood MG, Technical Manager, DLF Seeds
Fescue/bent mixtures and 100% browntop bent mixtures were hotly debated, with greenkeepers eager to understand which combinations best suit their conditions and maintenance regimes. The consensus was clear: high quality seed is the foundation of a sustainable, playable green.
The conversations reflected the urgent challenges clubs now face:
- Recovery after record droughts where trusted cultivars with proven germination rates are vital.
- Renovations pushed later into autumn — demanding robust, reliable seed performance.
- The need to tackle dry patch early to safeguard establishment.
- A renewed focus on winter aeration practices to build deeper root systems.
As Yarwood summed up: “A deep root system always beats a poor irrigation system. Champion Greens is about building strong, native, robust turf with proven DLF cultivars — that’s the way to future-proof bowling greens.”
Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with comments describing the day as “unique” and “exactly what bowls clubs have been missing.” With such demand, DLF Seeds will be expanding the Champion Greens programme to bring practical, hands-on learning to more clubs in the future.
About DLF Seeds
DLF Seeds is the world’s leading grass seed breeder and supplier, with a portfolio that includes Johnsons Sports Seed, MM, Designer and Masterline. From premium professional sports turf to high-value community solutions, DLF delivers cultivars with unrivalled purity, quality and germination — giving every greenkeeper the confidence to succeed.
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