For over thirty years, Dunnington Bowls Club has thrived thanks to the dedicated support and greenkeeping expertise of East Riding Turfcare. From advanced irrigation solutions to ongoing professional advice, this enduring partnership has ensured Dunnington’s bowling green consistently ranks among the best-maintained and most admired in Yorkshire.
Dunnington Bowls Club’s enduring success is not just a matter of tradition but a result of innovative turf management and a commitment to continual improvement. As the club looks to the future, it remains a beacon for best practice in bowling green maintenance across the region.
Award-Winning Bowling Green Maintained Through Expertise and Consistency
At the heart of this success is Graham Instone, a devoted Dunnington member for over 40 years and the club’s greenkeeper for the last 17 years. At 82, Graham continues to manage a demanding fixture schedule and works tirelessly all year to keep the green in exceptional condition. His expertise and dedication have earned Dunnington’s green widespread recognition, with many in the Yorkshire bowls community regarding it as a benchmark for quality greens.
A major driver of this excellence has been the strategic use of specialist turf care products supplied by East Riding Turfcare. Industry-leading products such as Compo Expert Basfoliar Kelp 10L Biostimulant, Ferromex Mosskiller, and Greenmaster Liquid 14-5-7+TE Spring & Summer have played crucial roles in strengthening turf health, controlling moss, and ensuring consistent playing quality throughout the season.
Graham explains: “Looking after a green is all about consistency and using the right greenkeeping products at the right time. The advice and support I’ve received from East Riding Turfcare has been invaluable. Biostimulants and liquid feeds have truly made a difference, helping me maintain a top-quality surface for every match, no matter how busy the schedule.”
Dunnington Bowls Club’s Graham Instone has been named Bowls England’s Greenkeeper of the Year.
Graham’s influence extends well beyond Dunnington. Inspired by the accolades his green received, he launched educational roadshows throughout Yorkshire and beyond, equipping fellow greenkeepers with practical skills and expert advice. His dedication to knowledge sharing has elevated standards at clubs across the region, and he continues to mentor and support many, leaving a legacy of collaboration and continuous improvement.
The partnership between Graham Instone, Dunnington Bowls Club, and East Riding Turfcare exemplifies what’s possible through expert advice, premium turf care products, and unwavering commitment. This story showcases passion for bowls, pursuit of quality, and the long-term value of working with trusted greenkeeping professionals.
For clubs aiming to replicate Dunnington’s achievements, the message is clear: invest in expert partnerships, use proven turf care solutions, and foster a culture of shared learning. The results are visible on the green and in the growing reputation of your club.
Essential Turfcare Products: Driving Bowling Green Quality
Basfoliar Kelp: Seaweed-Derived Biostimulant for Superior Turf Health
Derived from the seaweed Ecklonia maxima, Basfoliar Kelp is much more than a simple “green juice.” It is packed with auxins, cytokinins, amino acids, vitamins, and other plant-boosting compounds that enhance root development, support healthy establishment, and improve resistance to stressors such as drought, cold, and disease.
For a bowling green, where root strength means smooth play, even roll, and resilience through the seasons, this kind of biostimulation is golden. Graham uses this to ensure that when the turf is under pressure such as hot summer sun or heavy traffic, it has deeper roots to draw from and can recover more effectively.
Ferromex Mosskiller: Eliminating Moss, Promoting Dense Turf
Moss is the bane of many bowling greens, it spoils texture, impedes drainage, and creates uneven surfaces. Ferromex is a specialist liquid moss killer and turf feed. Its iron sulphate disrupts moss growth, while ureic nitrogen nourishes the grass, encouraging it to thicken and fill in where moss has been cleared. This product not only eliminates moss but also actively improves sward density and turf health.
Applied in moist conditions, during active growth (spring through early autumn), Graham uses Ferromex to ensure the playing surface is clean and strong. After treatment, the blackened moss is raked away, leaving healthy grass to take over. Over time, this results in fewer game interruptions, improved ball roll, and a green that appears uniformly lush.
Greenmaster Liquid 14-5-7 + TE Spring & Summer: Balanced Fertilisation for Peak Performance
A high-performance bowling green like Dunnington’s requires targeted nutrition without causing excessive growth. Greenmaster Liquid Spring & Summer features a carefully balanced NPK (14-5-7) formula with essential trace elements, delivering optimal nutrients to maintain turf strength and vibrant colour.
It delivers nutrients without encouraging runaway leaf growth, which can lead to frequent mowings or uneven play. It also helps replace nutrients lost in clippings and unlocks iron from soil to maintain deep colour and health.
Graham applies this during the main growth season, avoiding harsh sun and drought so the grass can absorb the feed effectively.
The result: a vibrant green, strong turf that withstands regular foot traffic.
In summary, Dunnington Bowls Club’s approach demonstrates that success on the green begins with the right products, continual learning, and trusted partnerships. Clubs that embrace these values are well-positioned to achieve lasting excellence. The Craft of Consistency
The Craft of Consistency
This story highlights that greenkeeping is as much an art as it is a science and the best results come from using the right tools and expert guidance. For Graham, East Riding Turfcare has been much more than a supplier; the team has provided personalised recommendations, technical support, assistance with spray calibration, guidance on moisture and shade management, and irrigation expertise.
Decades of consistent care have set Dunnington apart. It’s what transforms a good green into an admired benchmark for others. In Yorkshire, bowlers don’t just play on Dunnington’s green—they study it, seeking to replicate its smooth roll, resilience, and vibrant colour at their own clubs.
The story of Graham Instone and Dunnington Bowls Club’s green is a testament to the results that passion, patience, and top-tier turf care products can deliver. Over 30 years of partnership with East Riding Turfcare have produced a bowling green that not only plays superbly but also inspires greenkeepers and clubs throughout the region.
“From detailed planning and dependable products to a shared passion for excellence, this is a partnership rooted in trust, expertise, and a drive to deliver the very best.”