PRO Supplier

Bowls Greenkeeper of the Year Announced

Graham Instone of Dunnington Bowls Club, York, has been crowned as the Bowls England Greenkeeper of the Year.

In the hotly-contested Greenkeeper of the Year category – sponsored by Dennis and SISIS – Graham took the honours, largely for his innovative roadshows, sharing his knowledge with local clubs.

He has been a member of his beloved Dunnington for over 40 years and has been looking after the green for the past 15 years. Graham, 80, and his right-hand man ‘Big’ Jim, 88, have a consistently busy schedule of fixtures and work hard throughout the year to keep the green in a superb condition. In fact, the impressive green has become the talk of the Yorkshire bowls community and it is for this reason that Graham decided to undertake a series of roadshows.

11000975066?profile=RESIZE_584xGraham visited various bowls clubs throughout Yorkshire to help other volunteer greenkeepers raise the standards of their greens. Following the roadshows, Graham continues to offer advice to most of the bowls clubs he visited.

The Greenkeeper of the Year Award received over 120 entries and Graham was one of five shortlisted finalists. Joined by family and friends, including ‘Big’ Jim, at the award ceremony, it was a moment that Graham will never forget.

“My name was called out; my picture went up on the screen and I was shell shocked. I can’t really put into words how I feel if I’m being honest. I normally get very emotional, so everyone was worried that I would get on stage to collect the award and cry. Fortunately, I kept it together!”

“It is the achievement of a lifetime, but this award just isn’t for me as an individual. It is for my team, for the club, and for my family.” 

Award sponsors Dennis and SISIS have long supported the sport of bowls and are committed to educating greenkeepers and raising the standards of bowling greens. For over 20 years, they have been organising and hosting educational maintenance seminars throughout the country which are designed to ultimately help club greenkeepers and volunteers maintain their bowling greens.

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

Votes: 0
E-mail me when people leave their comments –

You need to be a member of Landscape Juice Network to add comments!

Join Landscape Juice Network

Open forum activity

Topiary Garden updated their profile photo
7 minutes ago
Fleur Voice posted a blog post
Power tool manufacturer Makita has added a new battery powered wheelbarrow to its extensive LXT outdoor power equipment range. The DCU601 is equipped with an electric lift for even easier loading and unloading. The DCU601’s electric lift can only be…
55 minutes ago
Fleur Voice and Lawncare-4u.co.uk are now friends
1 hour ago
Brian's Garden Maintenance posted a discussion
Hi allJust, interested as we had so much wet weather. What do you do when the grass is so wet for your clients? I know you can cut wet grass, but I am finding sometimes clients turn around and say to wet on a dry day!Do you have it in contract with…
2 hours ago
Shaween Jonroy is now a member of Landscape Juice Network
6 hours ago
Dave Colton replied to Henry's discussion Etesia Hydro 80 failing to start
" You could try tapping the starter motor with a mallet while.ctlramking it over."
19 hours ago
T &T gardening services ltd replied to Oliver clarkson's discussion Rose spray
"We run Signam fungicide 
Dices insecticide 
Liquid copper feed 
But we generally run Signam on most box blight & fungal diseases "
21 hours ago
Neil Darby replied to Peter sellers's discussion Compost survey
"I have been using Melcourt Sylvagrow for a few years now. Bracken based & no wood fibre or crap within it. I tend to mix in some Perlite depending on what it is being used for. It was sold in 50Lt bags until last spring when they dropped 20% out,…"
21 hours ago
Daniel Watson and Jenny R joined Landscape Juice Network
yesterday
Graham Farrow replied to Henry's discussion Etesia Hydro 80 failing to start
"Hi Henry - Sounds like the starter motor is trying to turn the engine over but it has jammed. You could try freeing it off by rocking the machine backwards and forwards. It may work. Did for me on an Etesia 124. Good luck."
yesterday
MF Hodgson replied to Oliver clarkson's discussion Rose spray
"I'm trying out Uncle Tom's Rose Tonic this year as well as Sulphur Rose and am keen to see the results. Obviously I can't recommend them yet, but will report back if they work. "
yesterday
Henry replied to Henry's discussion Etesia Hydro 80 failing to start
"Hi John, thanks for replying, a little bit of ethanol free fuel was left in. Sorry maybe I wasn't so clear in my original message, but it doesn't even try and crank, just get that single highlighted solenoid click and nothing from the starter…"
yesterday
John F replied to Henry's discussion Etesia Hydro 80 failing to start
"Was any fuel left in over winter Henry ? "
yesterday
Henry posted a discussion
Hi all,Long time lurker new but new member.I bought a second hand Hydro 80 which I've been using for 2 seasons now. It's been laid up over winter and now fails to start.Model is Hydro 80 MHHP - V twin honda engine.I've got handbrake on, pedals…
yesterday
Henry and Charlie Patrick joined Landscape Juice Network
yesterday
Honey Badger replied to Jamie's discussion Stihl BG86c problems
"I've brought and used Chinese carbs in the past for around £15. They're a bit rough but still work. Never used a Chinese coil. You can test if there working properly with a vault meter, plenty of instructions on the Web. 
Cost of parts is a problem…"
Friday
More…