Case Studies in Turfgrass Management

Willow Hollow

Willow Hollow Golf Course
Leesport, Pensylvania

Case Description:

The spring of 1998 was cool and moist, and the perennial ryegrass in the fairways of Willow Hollow Golf Course remained healthy. Summer arrived and the turfgrass continued to grow without any obvious problems. For Superintendent John Nairn, the good season lasted until late August, when there was a sudden change evident in the fairways. The ryegrass was off-color and appeared moisture-stressed. Despite an irrigation to alleviate the heat and drought stresses, some loss of turf was evident the next day. Close examination of the turf revealed some blighting and flagging of selected leaves. Lesions on leaf blades were similar to those produced by Drechslera species; however, the centers of these lesions, when enlarged, were gray, not brown. A yellow halo developed around the lesions that extended well beyond the borders of the lesions in most cases. With several lesions on a single leaf, the entire leaf became chlorotic and died. On the third day, turf loss increased substantially, and by the fifth day, most of the ryegrass was dead, with most green foliage from small patches of annual bluegrass. The most severely affected areas were usually in full sun (immediately adjacent turf areas in shade would often be green and dense), relatively wet (often with overlapping coverage by irrigation heads), and subjected to intense traffic from mowers, vehicles, or golfers.

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.