Pent-up demand being addressed; courses find greater financial flexibility
BROOKFIELD, Wis. – Golf course owners and managers are again turning to American Society of Golf Course Architects (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 (www.asgca.org) 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 http://asgca.org/free-publications.
ASGCA Background
Founded in 1946 by 14 leading architects, the American Society of Golf Course Architects is a non-profit organization comprised of experienced golf course designers located throughout the United States and Canada. Members have completed a rigorous two-year long application process that includes the peer review of four representative golf courses. ASGCA members are experienced golf course architects, able to counsel in all aspects of golf course design and remodeling and comprise many of the great talents throughout the golf industry.
For more information about ASGCA, including a current list of members, log on to the ASGCA website at http://www.asgca.org or call (262) 786-5960.
