GroundsFest Academy is set to host the Champion Greens: Fine Turf Greenkeeper’s Masterclass at BTME, Harrogate, delivering a focused learning session designed to help greenkeepers prepare their bowling and golf greens for the season ahead.
Taking place on Thursday 22 January from11:00am – 3:00pm the session will be led by Stuart Yarwood MG, Regional Technical Manager at DLF Seeds, and builds on the success of the popular Bowling Green Bootcamp delivered earlier in the year at GroundsFest.
Practical fine turf principles that deliver results
With spring approaching after a challenging period for turf – including drought stress and winter recovery – many greenkeepers are asking the same questions: what should I be doing now, what really makes a difference, and how do I get the best surface with the resources available?
This seminar is designed to answer those questions.
Attendees will gain a clear understanding of how fine turf surfaces function as a living system, from soil structure through to sward performance, and how key cultural practices work together to deliver playable, sustainable greens.
What attendees will learn
Delivered in plain language and supported by real-world examples, the seminar will cover:
- How fine turf surfaces function as a living system – from soil to sward.
- Key cultural practices that improve playability, consistency, and resilience.
- Aeration, topdressing, nutrition, mowing, and moisture management – and how they work together.
- Practical ways to recover from drought stress and prepare for future extremes.
- How to prioritise work between now and April for the best possible start to the season.
The focus is on practical takeaways that greenkeepers can apply immediately, regardless of site size, budget or resource levels.
Open to all fine turf greenkeepers
The seminar is open to all fine turf greenkeepers, including volunteers, assistants and experienced professionals, working across bowling greens, golf greens or multiple fine turf surfaces.
As with all GroundsFest Academy learning, the emphasis is on education that is accessible, relevant and genuinely useful, supporting those responsible for maintaining playing surfaces day in, day out.
Learning at BTME
Held at BTME 2026, the seminar sits alongside hundreds of exhibitors offering machinery, seed, nutrition, irrigation, specialist support and much more. Following the seminar, attendees will have the opportunity to join an exclusive tour of BTME.
It provides the opportunity to combine focused learning with direct access to suppliers and experts who understand the real challenges faced by fine turf greenkeepers.
Places are limited, and early registration is recommended.