Bowling Greens

Level 1 Bowling Greens: Annual Maintenance

These courses raise awareness of what is involved in maintaining a bowling green

The Level 1 courses are ideal for volunteers, new employees or just as a refresher for established employees.

Course Programme

  • Definition of surface
  • Assessment of surface
  • Sequence of Autumn operations
  • >>>> Scarification and brushing
  • >>>> Aeration
  • >>>> Renovation and Repairs
  • >>>> Overseeding
  • >>>> Fertiliser Application
  • >>>> Top Dressing
  • Care of the bowling green surrounds
  • Winter Maintenance
  • Spring and Summer operations
  • >>>> Spring preparation work
  • >>>> Mowing
  • >>>> Light rolling
  • >>>> Fertiliser application
  • >>>> In season repairs
  • Marking and setting out of rinks
  • Safe working practices

Level 2 Bowling Greens: Applied Turf Culture

These courses introduce and explore some of the theory involved in maintaining Bowling Greens.

The Level 2 courses develop and reinforce craftsperson skills and knowledge and are ideal for experienced volunteers, employee professional development or just as a refresher for established employees.

Course Programme

  • Playing surface requirements
  • Performance Quality Standards: Undertaking an assessment
  • Safe working practices
  • Soils, pH and top-dressings
  • Turfgrass identification
  • Fertilisers and nutrients: Types and effects on plant growth
  • Pests, diseases, moss and weeds: Identification and general controls
  • New developments

Level 3 Bowling Greens: Advanced Turf Culture

These courses explore aspects of turfculture which are applied in managing Bowling Greens.

The Level 3 courses develop and reinforce applied technical management skills and knowledge and are ideal for experienced employees and line managers.

Course Programme

  • Soils: Problems of, and dealing with, compaction
  • Irrigation management
  • Drainage: Impact on carrying capacity
  • Grasses - choosing seeds and cultivars
  • Managing nutrient levels for optimum playing surfaces
  • Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
  • Managing surfaces with Performance Quality Standards

Note:

All course programmes are subject to review and change