Introductie monitoring

ustainable green keeping starts with consistent monitoring and keeping an good record. What this implies is explained underneath.

DGBeheer has set its goals to achieve optimal playing quality of the golf course in good harmony with its natural environment in combination with a healthy economic and responsible course maintenance. Complete sustainable maintenance is only possible when a full understanding exists towards all aspects of the maintenance itself and the nature of growing good grasses. This understanding comes by monitoring and registering relevant data. Together with the Sports Turf and Research Institute (STRI), a dataset has been established. Data are collected from 3 monitoring greens. Our goal is to have a maximum of information with a minimum of effort to collect the data. The longer and completer the data, the better becomes the information. Using graphics the greenkeeper is informed about his course. When you cooperate with an agronomist, he can have access to the database as well to discuss matters.

By cooperating in groups, you van exchange views and knowledge and share experiences. De information form data will support understanding of what is happening and help to make decisions to control the growing process. Also it is possible to invite guest speakers to give presentations and upgrade knowledge.

In order to compare the collected data and start benchmarking, they must be collected in an organised way, by use of a protocol. DGBeheer has developed a protocol (presently available in Dutch only ) that indicates when what and how monitoring has to be conducted. This document has been approved by STRI.

In the near future, reports can be generated from the data base to support meetings and report to the board and the club manager. The reports will be generated automatically. A year report will also be part of this set, focussing on developments and improvements. Data from other information systems should be connected to the system. There is a small charge for becoming a member.

When you are interested, please contact H.P. (Flip) Wirth ( hpwirth@casema.nl ). He can also provide you with a code to have a look at the demonstration database programme yourself.