Ahead of Troon’s Agronomy Conference: Questions Behind the Greens  04:35, 12/11/2026

Taking place on 17–18 November at the Ocean Clubhouse, The Els Club Malaysia, the conference carries the theme “Never Stop Learning – Wisdom in the Era of AI”.

Three challenges stand out in the programme: translating data into better decisions, balancing playing quality with turf health and natural resources, and turning individual expertise into a stronger, more knowledgeable team.

When Data Becomes a Decision

Data is most valuable not when it fills a report, but when it helps someone make a better decision. A soil analysis may reveal what is happening beneath the surface, but interpreting those results and deciding whether action is needed requires experience as well as evidence.

Dr Luke Baker, President and CEO of Brookside Laboratories, specialises in soil chemistry, plant nutrition and translating analytical data into practical recommendations. Dr Bill Kreuser, President and Co-Founder of GreenKeeper, brings expertise in precision turf management, plant growth regulators, fertilisation and data-driven decision-making. Both will deliver individual presentations and take part in the “Troon Soils” session.

The real test comes when the results reach the course: what should change, when should it happen and when is the right decision to do nothing at all?

Playing Quality and the Bigger Picture

A putting green may be judged by how smoothly a ball rolls, but maintaining that quality involves far more than the playing surface itself. Turf health, environmental pressures and the responsible use of water all influence the conditions golfers experience.

Dr Zac Reicher of Envu’s Green Solutions Team brings more than 45 years of turfgrass experience, including expertise in turf health, pest management and environmental stress.

Joining the speaker line-up is Bri Kenny, Troon’s Manager of Environmental Science, while Jonathan Williams, Director of Science & Agronomy and an Accredited Irrigation Auditor, will help lead the optional agronomy tour on 19 November.

Together, these areas of expertise highlight one of golf course management’s enduring challenges: delivering excellent playing conditions while caring for the living landscape that makes them possible.

The optional agronomy tour offers another perspective, taking the conversation beyond the conference room and into the field.

The Human Side of Better Golf Courses

Even the best ideas have limited value if they remain with a single expert. The greater challenge is turning knowledge into everyday practice, where teams understand not only what to do, but why it matters and when to adapt.

Sessions involving Troon’s professionals, including “Building a Team: A.I. Meets A.I” and the round-table discussion, bring this human dimension into focus.

Technology may offer new tools and insights, but the ability to learn, communicate and make sound decisions together remains central to the success of any golf course.

How can that culture of continuous learning survive the daily pressures of course operations? It is a question that extends well beyond the conference itself.

Looking Beyond Desaru Coast

To the golfer, the best green is one that feels effortless. Behind it lie countless decisions, some guided by science, others sharpened by experience. What will those choices reveal about the future of golf course care, and what might Vietnam’s courses learn from them?

Vietnam Golf & Leisure will be at Desaru Coast to find out.