Macau Golf & Country Club

TGM SCIENTIFIC RECOVERY PROGRAM

SURFACE STABILIZATION AND TOURNAMENT CONDITIONING

In early 2024, Macau Golf & Country Club entered a period of agronomic volatility driven by an extended rainfall cycle atypical for the region. Prolonged moisture retention, compounded by elevated disease pressure and localized pest activity, disrupted turf physiological rhythms and degraded playing surface stability. These issues were further exacerbated by internal resourcing constraints and misaligned operational focus leading into the club’s most critical tournament window in over a decade.

Engaged under urgent circumstances, Thompson Golf Management (TGM) delivered a six-month scientific recovery program structured around data acquisition, tactical response modeling, and tournament readiness calibration. The objective was not only to stabilize surface conditions but to re-engineer the agronomic foundation with repeatable systems for sustainable improvement.

32.4%

Reduction in thatch layer production

Measured pre- and post-program implementation
via clip yield control and GDD-driven PGR timing

1.2

Hectares of turf resurfaced

Based on drone-verified stress zones
and tournament impact mapping

18.7%

Reduction in sprayable surface input volumes

Achieved through spray equipment
and application rate recalibration

A Journey of Evolution: Revitalizing Tianzhu

The foundation of The Players Club’s narrative is an exceptional evolution tale. A complete rerouting and redesign of the existing Tianzhu golf club was orchestrated, marking a transformational moment. The imprint of Gary Player Design graces every contour, meticulously shaping fairways and bunkers into an Australian Sandbelt-inspired symphony. A legacy of design innovation then
unfolded, where fairways merge seamlessly into the sculpted bunkers, creating an artful narrative that redefines golfing aesthetics in Beijing.

As a regular host venue for presti- gious events like the D.P. World Tour and the L.P.G.A., we offer a comprehensive range of services to ensure the success of these tournaments.

Our expertise extends to various areas, including construction input, where we provide valuable insights and recommendations to optimize the layout and design of the course. We also assist in equipment fleet and workshop set-up, ensuring that all necessary tools and resources are readily available for smooth operations.

As a regular host venue for presti- gious events like the D.P. World Tour and the L.P.G.A., we offer a comprehensive range of services to ensure the success of these tournaments.

DIAGNOSTIC FOUNDATION AND AGRONOMIC STRATEGY

The remediation plan commenced with a technical audit across all major agronomic variables. This diagnostic phase was fundamental in establishing the baseline conditions and informing the subsequent programming:

Soil Physical Testing:
Particle size distribution, infiltration modeling, and water release curve analysis were used to characterize the air–water exchange profile of greens and fairways. This allowed for the recalibration of aeration, irrigation timing, and wetting agent programs in alignment with sub-surface water dynamics and capillary action.
Nutrient and Tissue Analysis:
Mehlich-3 extractable nutrient profiles and foliar tissue sampling highlighted both macronutrient depletion and micronutrient imbalances. In response, TGM implemented a tiered replenishment strategy, emphasizing potassium, calcium, and trace element stability over immediate correction.
Irrigation Water Suitability Testing:
Source water analysis revealed an EC of 3.8 dS/m, interacting with pH values diverging across turf surfaces—alkaline on greens and acidic on fairways. This necessitated two distinct chemical buffering regimes, including:
- Acidification enrichment for high-pH greens zones
- Calcium enrichment buffering in fairway soils
- Enhanced sodium management across the entire irrigation matrix

PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION: FROM GROWTH REGULATION TO SURFACE RECOVERY

Once baseline diagnostics were confirmed, TGM deployed a structured set of corrective interventions. These were data-driven, time-sequenced, and regularly adjusted through iterative observation and feedback loops.

Whole-Green Clip Yield Monitoring: Clip yield tracking was performed daily on all greens, serving as the primary mechanism for evaluating plant response and refining growth regulation. This allowed for:
- Micro-adjustment of trinexapac-ethyl applications
- Real-time modulation of nutrient delivery based on physiological output
- Quantifiable reduction in thatch biomass via controlled growth suppression
Data-Calibrated Fertility Program: Fertilizer applications were constructed based on ppm requirements derived from lab diagnostics, incorporating weather modeling and growth potential indices. Each week’s application was assessed for uptake efficiency and visual response, supporting precision in both product selection and timing.

Drone-Based Stress Mapping and Area Verification: TGM’s Engineer & Technology Division conducted regular drone flights utilizing RGB imaging:
- Identification of localized decline zones for triage and returfing
- Validation of treated surface area to recalibrate water, nutrient, and cultural practice inputs
- Aerial photo documentation served as a longitudinal record of turf recovery and intervention effectiveness

Mechanical Department Reinforcement: Introducion of a semi-autonomous fairway mowing system, which provided:
- Enhanced mowing linearity and cutting overlap consistency
- Reduction in operator fatigue and mechanical variability
- Reallocation of labor to priority surfaces, particularly greens and bunkers

Parallel to this, cutting units were recalibrated, and technical training on reel-to-bedknife contact was delivered to all mechanics, ensuring standardized HOC performance during tournament build-up.

TOURNAMENT DELIVERY AND OUTCOMES

Despite environmental setbacks and condensed preparation time, the course successfully hosted two premier events in Q4 2024 and Q1 2025.

2024 SJM Macau Open
- Champion: Rattanon Wannasrichan (–20)
- Total Purse: $1,000,000 USD
LIV Golf International Series – Macau, Presented by Wynn
- Champion: Carlos Ortiz (–22)
- Prize Purse: $2,000,000 USD
- 2025 British Open Qualifiers: Carlos Ortiz, Jason Kokrak, Patrick Reed

The presence of the Claret Jug trophy on display in the clubhouse further underlined the event’s elevated status and signaled the club’s reintegration into the international championship circuit.

LEGACY AND LONG-TERM RECOMMENDATIONS

Post-tournament, TGM delivered a strategic advancement plan structured around both infrastructure modernization and agronomic resiliency. Recommendations included:

Irrigation system upgrades, including zonal control refinement and salinity mitigation protocols
Workshop redesign to align with modern mechanical workflow and inventory control
Staff training pathways focused on environmental metrics, moisture balancing, and predictive scheduling using GDD accumulation
Institutionalized drone imaging for seasonal scouting and longitudinal performance validation

Environmental stewardship planning, integrating buffer zone management and nutrient retention protocols

Under extreme environmental variability, structure and science must converge. Clip yield, water curves, and data fidelity—all became the tools we used to re-establish agronomic control.

— Cameron Thompson, Founder, Thompson Golf Management