A Day at the Allett Lawn Academy: Insights and Experiences from Ingestre Golf Club
Lawn enthusiasts gathered for the Allett Lawn Academy Level one and two course double header event last week held at Ingestre Golf Club eager to deepen their understanding of lawn care. With participants from diverse backgrounds the event was a rich tapestry of shared experiences, knowledge and hands-on learning.
The Allett Lawn Academy operates every spring and autumn across the country and this event marked its first two-day double-header. Participants enjoyed a blend of theory and hands-on experience taking part in a complete renovation of the golf course lawn.
Richard Salmon of ProLawncareUK ran theory and practical based sessions ranging from grass identification to weed and pest removal as well as irrigation, scarification, moss removal and much much more!
Stephen Williamson, an Allett Kensington owner from Pilling took the Level 2 course after completing the Level One course last Spring up in York. He was surprised to find that there was indeed much more to learn in Level Two. One of the highlights for Stephen was the practical identification of grass species, a skill that was put to the test with the help of Richard from ProLawncare UK. Using samples and a guided chart participants engaged in identifying different types of grass- a process that transformed a once-daunting task into an enlightening experience.
Carl McDermott from Bristol emphasised the importance of getting hands-on. For him the opportunity to operate machinery like Scarifiers and Aerators was invaluable. He appreciated the welcoming atmosphere created by the staff and the chance to connect with fellow lawn care enthusiasts. This sentiment was echoed by many who found that practical activities provided a grounding that theory alone could not achieve.
Catherine Pritchard, a self-employed gardener, also found immense value in the practical side of the training. She noted, “There’s so much technical information in the course it's guaranteed you’ll learn a lot.” Her enthusiasm was matched by others who were eager to apply their newfound knowledge to their own gardening practices.
Liam Vance, who travelled from Nottingham, highlighted the camaraderie fostered at the Academy. While many participants initially feared they might be surrounded by experienced professionals they found a welcoming group of fellow enthusiasts. This environment not only provided knowledge but also built a sense of community, encouraging participants to share their experiences and learn from one another.
For professionals like Andrea Di Toro, who owns a lawn care and garden maintenance business the course was an opportunity to refine services and skills to further improve the service he offered to his clients. He was particularly impressed by the technical insights on lawn care that went beyond simple maintenance. The hands-on calibration of sprayers in Level 2 was a favourite moment for Andrea demonstrating how the Academy equipped participants to elevate their work quality significantly.
Alan Warner, a professional gardener from Buckinghamshire, sought the course to enhance his practical skills for a client’s croquet lawn. He praised the blend of theory and practical knowledge stating that the day transformed his understanding of equipment he previously found daunting.
It was a brilliant two days and great to catch up with so many familiar faces from our first level 1 courses held all round the country. We would like to say a MASSIVE thankyou to Richard and Andy for their hard work across the two days and Ingestre for being a fabulous host venue. It was great for our attendees to meet Head Greenkeeper Craig Potts and suck valuable information out of him and his years of experience. Thanks so much to our amazing attendees who made it such a great event.
We are also so grateful to the various suppliers who leant us machines and seed, compost and fertiliser!
Compost- Field Compost- use the code AMLA10 or 10% off Field 4 and Field 5 Compost before February 28th 2025
Fertiliser Spreader and Fertiliser- ICL Turf
Seed- DLF Seeds (Promaster 50)
Eliet Seeder/Scarifier- PSD Groundcare/Karl Savill
Find videos with our attendees in the Allett Lawn Academy YOUTUBE playlist here
Interested in our next Allett Lawn Academy?
We are looking to host our next Allett Lawn Academy next May (2025)- details to be confirmed in the next few weeks. We are hoping to have it launched ready for Christmas for those perfect Christmas gift ideas!
Click 'Email me when available' and we will contact you as soon as we launch our next Level 1 and 2 course.