Case Study: TPC Deere Run

New DMI. New Ballgame.

How innovative DMI chemistries from BASF are defying dollar spot resistance (and expectations) while providing broad-spectrum disease control.

The TPC Deere Run golf course is located in Silvis, Illinois, on 400 acres nestled beside the Rock River. The land itself is steeped in history, from its time as a Native American settlement to its most recent incarnation as a storied horse and cattle breeding farm. When descendants of the John Deere family donated the land to serve as the annual host of the John Deere Classic, course designer D.A. Weibring changed very little about the geography in order to maintain its unique aesthetic qualities.

 

While the natural allure of Deere Run presents a one-of-a-kind experience for PGA Tour players and guests, it also presents equally unique challenges for those maintaining the health, beauty and playability of the course. That job belongs to Alex Stuedemann, Director of Golf Course Maintenance Operations, and he understands these challenges more than anyone.

 

“It’s a hilly, treed site with a lot of challenging growing environments for turf, with its slowly draining soil and a lot of rock underneath,” said Alex. Temperature and unpredictable weather also add to the complexity, but beyond that, Alex and his team’s biggest challenge is fighting disease. “The combination of warmer mid-to-late fall and early-to-mid spring temperatures, coupled with the right amount of humidity and rainfall, makes the course a strong breeding ground for dollar spot,” says Alex.

 

Due to past use of DMI fungicides to fight dollar spot, a high level of resistance had developed — a common problem across the industry. “Our spray intervals had to be shortened, product choices were limited and our budgets were stretched. It made for some very challenging grass growing, up until the recent technological achievements in fungicide chemistry,” said Alex.

 

That breakthrough was the launch of Maxtima® fungicide and Navicon® Intrinsic® brand fungicide, each featuring a new and unique DMI chemistry. Knowing the challenges of Deere Run, BASF approached Alex for an early trial. “We had one spot on the course that is always the first to drop dollar spot. So, we put it out there and waited for breakthrough,” said Alex. About a month later, when barely any trace of dollar spot was visible, Alex knew something big was happening. “At that time, it was clear that this wasn’t like any other DMI that we had ever used,” he said. “It was an eye-opening experience for me.”

“Now we can look forward to what a new class of DMI can do."

— Alex Stuedemann, Director of Golf Course Maintenance Operations, TPC Deere Run

Golf course superintendents are under intense pressure to meet the demands of their course, from staying within increasingly stretched budgets to making smart, informed decisions that keep the course healthy and pristine. That’s why Alex and his team are now adding Maxtima fungicide to their agronomic programs and are currently running trials of Navicon Intrinsic brand fungicide on their putting greens. “These products are a whole new ballgame for disease prevention, treatment and golf course maintenance,” said Alex. “We don’t have to look backwards anymore at the limitations of DMIs, now we can look forward to what a new class of DMI can do.”

Related

Maxtima® Fungicide: Welcome to a New Era

Maxtima® fungicide, our new turf-safe, broad-spectrum DMI that you can spray at any temperature, on any turf. 

Navicon® Intrinsic® Brand Fungicide: Dual Action, Powerful Precision

Navicon® Intrinsic® brand fungicide, our new dual-action DMI that provides effective control of the toughest diseases with strong plant health from the roots up. 

Disease Control: Dollar Spot

The most effective way to control dollar spot is to stay ahead of it. BASF has an array of solutions for your spray program that will equip you with one of the industry’s strongest lines of defense against dollar spot.

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