Blue-Green Algae Toxandria Golf Club Molenschot, The Netherlands

Case Description:

The new practice putting green at Toxandria Golf Club had become a disaster. Drainage was poor and the presence of blue-green algae was evident throughout the entire surface of this low-lying, shaded green. Despite the unusually wet weather during the summer of 2002, the other greens performed reasonably well; only the new practice green was doing poorly. And its proximity to the clubhouse made matters even worse. Superintendent Sjaak Pelkmans, a 25-year vereran at Toxandria, was under pressure to "do something about that awful green." As the "California Method" was used for its construction, the green should have had good drainage. It was established in late November 1999 and opened for play in July 2000. In the first year there was a small amount of take-all patch, but none of the Microdochium patch, dollar spot, or anthracnose evident on all of the other greens. During the summer months, the green was regularly cut with a triplex mower with open front rollers. Because of the wet soil, this created grooves that effectively reduced the cutting height and compacted the surface layer, when the grass was already under stress from high temperatures.

Green reconstruction

Topdressing

Temperature and Rainfall

Assignments:

One group will be assigned the responsibility for making a presentation containing the following elements:

A brief synopsis of the case description
A detailed analysis of the facts presented in the case description
A list of the issues emerging from the analysis
A broadly stated strategy for addressing the issues
A detailed action plan for implementing this strategy
This group should also prepare a report using the format that follows and submit hard copies along with appropriate attachments to on the date shown in the course schedule.

Download *Format* for Preparing Your Case Report