Golf course owners and managers are again turning to ASGCA members to facilitate projects related to Master Planning, remodeling, design-related maintenance and playability issues.
ASGCA members saw work with clubs and municipalities drop during recent economic challenges despite the desire by all to ensure courses remain fun, affordable and playable.
But time takes its toll on courses and surrounding land, and with recent signs of economic recovery including signs of some financial institutions again showing greater flexibility in golf lending, examples of project work have become less anecdotal and more consistent among members.
The ASGCA website has posted a number of articles citing ongoing or recently completed renovation work by members across North America, including:
- Green grass reduction, decreased water usage and lower-maintenance bunkers are all part of the plan put forth by Tim Liddy, ASGCA, for the Newport News (Va.) Golf Club renovation beginning this fall.
- Ian Andrew, ASGCA Associate, completed a restoration project at Cape Breton, Canada’s Highland Links Course in Nova Scotia. The two-year project restored many of Stanley Thompson’s original design elements, rebuilding most of Thompson’s original bunkers, plus a considerable amount of tree clearing and green space recapture.
- Three projects recently selected as recipients of ASGCA’s initial Design Excellence Recognition Program were renovation or Master Plan projects:
- Mira Vista Golf & Country Club, El Cerrito, Calif./Forrest Richardson, ASGCA
- Phillips Park Golf Course, Aurora, Ill./Greg Martin, ASGCA
- The Eagle Course, Twin Eagles, Naples, Fla./Steve Smyers, ASGCA.
A recent article at Cybergolf.com highlighted the increased interest in renovation, quoting Jeff Brauer, ASGCA, who noted. “Most golf architects have always had renovations be 30-to-90 percent of their work.” The article also stated, “There are many other types of work, including the preparation of master plans, landscaping, specific hole remodels, retrofitting courses with new tees, or to help flood protection, both on-course and peripherally.”
Information on golf course Master Planning and Remodeling is available online from ASGCA by visiting https://asgca.org/free-publications.