Good:The Secrets of Sustainable Golf

Issue 3 | Summer 2010 BY DESIGN Excellence in Golf Design from the American Society of Golf Course Architects Here for The Secrets of Good: Sustainable Golf

Also: National Golf Day • Accessibility • Bunker Drainage • Remodeling Checklist

FOREWORD

olf is at a crossroads. In the US, golf clubs and course operators CONTENTS are faced with a market that is fiercely competitive, and as a result, Gmany are looking to golf course architects to help them improve the product they offer to their customers. In a tight market, improvements Digest 5 in course quality are key to staying ahead of the competition and attracting A round-up of some of the most more golfers. Elsewhere in the world, the conditions may be different, but significant happenings in golf over the the pressures are still similar; everywhere, golf operators needs to focus on past few months. improving their offering and delivering great golf at a fair price. But the industry also has to work on its public image. In too many Sustainability 8 countries, golf is still seen as a game for the elite. As our cover story in Rather than a single topic to be this edition of By Design stresses, the three pillars of sustainability– addressed in isolation, we discuss environmental, social and economic–must all converge if the game is to how sustainability should infuse all achieve its potential around the world. aspects of golf development, whether If the latter two of those three pillars are to be successfully dealt with, environmental, social or economic. it is important that golf in emerging markets is more than just a tourist attraction aimed at foreigners or a housing location for the rich. Our focus Accessibility 12 on the development of the game in the Czech Republic shows how this When golf enters a new region, one can work; by attracting new players to golf, and building relatively low cost of the major challenges is losing the courses for them to play on, the Czechs have created a local golf boom that elitist tag and making it accessible to should go on growing. all. We consider the example of the I hope you will enjoy the third issue of By Design. Czech Republic. Bunker Drainage 14 Ian Tittershill of Sportcrete discusses the science of bunker drainage. Remodeling 16 ASGCA outlines the major considerations for golf renovation. Yours sincerely, Design 18 Adam Lawrence considers whether we are witnessing a new golden age of golf design.

Rick Phelps, ASGCA Vice President American Society of Golf Course Architects COVER

Editor: Adam Lawrence; News: Michele Witthaus; Design: Paul Robinson; Bruce Graham; Publisher: Toby Ingleton; Editorial contributor: Ian Tittershill; ASGCA Staff: Chad Ritterbusch; Therese Johnston; Mike Shefky; Aileen Smith; Photography: Aidan Bradley, Larry Lambrecht, EGD; Subscribe to By Design at www.tudor-rose.co.uk/bydesign

By Design is sponsored by:

National Golf Links of America in Southampton, New York, photographed by Larry Lambrecht.

DIGEST

National Golf Day | Michele Witthaus Leaders come together on National Golf Day epresentatives of to draw attention to the leading US golf environmental, social and R bodies gathered economic benefits of golf in Washington, DC on and golf courses.” 28 April to discuss the Larsen added that the challenges facing the golf We Are Golf program industry. ASGCA President complements “The Value Erik Larsen and Executive of the Golf Course,” Director Chad Ritterbusch an initiative under represented the society development by ASGCA at the National Golf Day and other members of event, which highlighted the Allied Associations of golf’s social, economic and Golf in the U.S. “We Are environmental impact. Golf tells the story of the The event was just one benefits of the game and part of the American Chad Ritterbusch (left) and Erik Larsen, ASGCA, outside we’re excited to tell the golf industry’s new We the US Capitol on National Golf Day, April 28 public more about the Are Golf initiative (www. benefits of the playing wearegolf.org), which is some of the data points recreational value, which is field,” he explained. “The helping lawmakers and shared during National important, golf is a major American golf industry the general public to better Golf Day: the U.S. golf industry that generates truly is united in its efforts understand the scope industry employs 2 million jobs, commerce, and tax to help lawmakers and the of the golf industry and people, directly and revenues for communities general public understand the many contributions indirectly, and the size of throughout the country,” all of the good things that that the game makes to the U.S. golf industry is said Larsen. “ASGCA is the game and golf courses communities throughout $76 billion (2005 figures). pleased to support We Are do for our country’s the United States. Among “Beyond its sport and Golf because it is helping communities.”

World Forum of Golf Architects | Adam Lawrence Global golf challenges raised at World Forum More than 170 golf industry delegates the environment and design trends ASGCA, also a member of the USGA from around the globe attended the (chaired by SAGCA, EIGCA and ASGCA Executive Committee, and Dr Steve World Forum of Golf Architects at St respectively), delegates also found time Otto of the R&A, showed research Andrews in March. Organised by the to play golf at St Andrews. evidence indicating that distance gains European Institute of Golf Course Topics addressed by speakers included by top players were now very minor Architects (EIGCA) to celebrate its water resources and the costs associated at most. The impact of longer courses tenth anniversary, the five-day event with longer courses. Australian architect on time required to play a round of was planned in collaboration with George Diakogeorgiou said that golf golf also came under the spotlight at ASGCA and the Society of Australian courses should stop relying on piped the Forum, with the three organizing Golf Course Architects. Delegates town water supplies. “Golf architects bodies of the event agreeing to work included European, American need to encourage the use of treated together to seek a solution. and Australian designers and 11 effluent and stormwater and must A highlight for many was a short representatives of the Japanese design to harvest as much water for presentation by Rick Baril, ASGCA, Society of Golf Course Architects, reuse as possible,” he said. concerning his company’s new as well as participants from Mexico, Architect Phil Ryan said the trend Stensballegaard course in Denmark, China and South Africa. toward longer golf courses led to which has embraced a policy of no- In addition to attending various increased maintenance costs. But, in raking for bunkers, with the aim of sessions covering the economics of golf, a joint presentation, Steve Smyers, making them true hazards.

DIGEST

ASGCA | Toby Ingleton Carbon benefits Honors at Annual Meeting of turfgrass Following the publication he 64th ASGCA in the journal Geophysical Annual Meeting was Research Letters of a paper Theld in March in on carbon sequestration Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. and greenhouse gas At the meeting, Erik Larsen emissions in turf by the of Arnold Palmer Design Department of Earth System Company was elected Science at the University of president of ASGCA, taking California, scientists at the over the role from Doug Toro Company’s Center for Carrick of Carrick Design. Advanced Turf Technology A highlight of the event was (CATT) found an error that the presentation to PGA Tour led to turfgrass receiving a Commissioner Tim Finchem higher CO2 rating than is in of ASGCA’s highest honor, PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem with ASGCA execs fact the case. the Donald Ross Award, for Appropriate changes were significant contributions Committee), with Doug senior designer, Gary Player made to the paper. “Turfgrass to golf and communities. Carrick moderating. Golf Course Design, and is actually found to be a net The PGA Tour has provided Also at the meeting, John Bryce Swanson, senior positive sequester of carbon,” charitable support of $1 Harvey, of RBA Group, Jason designer, Rees Jones) were said Dana Lonn, managing billion since 1994. Straka of Hurdzan/Fry and also accepted into regular director of Toro’s CATT group. The meeting featured Brian Curley of Schmidt- membership of ASGCA. seminars on a wide range Curley were elected to the Carrick commented: “Golf Conservation on of topics central to ASGCA ASGCA Board of Governors. course architecture is a summit agenda members’ professional Four associate members highly specialized profession, At Rain Bird’s 11th Intelligent development. ASGCA (Tripp Davis, lead golf course so the tailored seminars Use Of Water Summit, held panelists included Jack architect with Tripp Davis and interaction with fellow at the Smithsonian Institution Nicklaus, Mark McCumber and Associates, Jon Garner, ASGCA members are in Washington, DC in and Steve Smyers (who also senior designer, Nicklaus critical for our continued April, environmental and sits on the USGA Executive Design, Jeff Lawrence, professional growth.” water management experts gathered to discuss outdoor water conservation. Central and Eastern Europe | Michele Witthaus With panelists including representatives of city and state municipalities and water Targeting CEE golf development agencies, the summit focused on water conservation policies The second Golf Investment and forecasts, recent investment projects, financing and legislation, programs, Development Conference in Eastern and methods and project implementation. initiatives and trends aimed at Central Europe will be held in Warsaw, Tourism, golf as a sport and real estate reducing outdoor water waste. Poland from 13-15 September. The choice development will also be discussed. of location reflects the growing popularity of The conference offers participants the Profile Products golf in Poland and the region, as evidenced opportunity to meet with investors, acquisition by a significant number of planned golf developers, leading architects, golf course Profile Products has acquired projects. ASGCA is an honorary patron of and resort designers, owners and managers, hydraulic mulch specialist the conference, along with the Polish Golf local authorities and representatives of HMI Worldwide. John Union, the PGA of Poland, the Club Managers organizations supporting golf development, Schoch, president and Association of Europe, and the Central financial institutions and companies CEO of Profile Products, European Countries Travel Association. supplying equipment and technology for said: “HMI Worldwide The theme of this year’s conference is the the industry. and Profile Products share potential for golf industry developments in a similar vision to expand Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). Sessions For more information, visit the conference Website the hydraulic mulch business will address current trends and development at www.golfpropertiesconference.com throughout the world.”

07 SUSTAINABILITY Built to Last

2015 US Open venue Chambers Bay near Seattle, Washington, a sustainable design by Robert Trent Jones Jr., ASGCA and Bruce Charlton, ASGCA © Aidan Bradley

08 | By Design Cover Story | Adam Lawrence

Sustainability has become a favored buzzword, in golf as in many other areas of life. Does it have real meaning and importance for the game, or has it just become a cliché that everyone must parrot? Adam Lawrence investigates

Sustainability is a word we hear all for example, is leading a coalition to allows for, even welcomes, a low the time, but few of us have grasped examine best practices as part of its Golf’s input maintenance regime. Elite clubs what it really means. It is in danger Drive Toward Sustainability program. such as the famous National Golf of becoming a cliché, a word that “It is important to understand that Links of America, have been able to everyone uses because it sounds sustainability includes more than just adopt greenkeeping practices that good, but without meaning. the environment,” says EIFG Board of maintain a healthy, fast and firm Defining sustainability is far from Trustees Chairman Bob Wood, vice playing surface, keep irrigation to a straightforward. In golf, the term president of Nike. “It is the way in minimum, but also largely preserve came into use primarily in relation to which you conduct your business by the green sheen that golfers seem to the environment, and is most often providing greater returns to the bottom prefer. But the key to this approach defined in ‘green’ terms, but in the line, providing a healthy sport for the is a substantial maintenance budget, wider community, sustainability covers communities in which golf operates, allowing extensive syringing of greens far more. A truly sustainable course and by properly managing the resources to cool grass; perfectly sustainable for must enhance its environment, be the earth provides.” NGLA, tricky for others. a viable economic proposition, and The Scottish-based Golf Environment In the US at least, even in the play a positive role in the social and Organization is currently working northern parts where it might grow, community life of its surrounding area. on guidelines for the sustainable fescue may always be a minority Yet sustainable golf, though development of golf facilities, and, like interest. But there are plenty of hard to define, is actually a pretty its American counterpart Audubon other ways in which American straightforward concept to grasp. International, it already has a program superintendents can make their Like Potter Stewart, we generally certifying the management of existing courses more sustainable. In transition know it when we see it. Harry Colt, courses. GEO identifies nine separate zones, for example, fewer courses will ninety years ago, put it best. “The real categories under which sustainability continue to fight the battle to preserve test of a course,” he wrote in his book should be considered: nature, landscape bentgrass greens, embracing warm Some Essays on Golf-course Architecture. and heritage, water, turf, pollution season grasses. And the practice of “Is it going to live?” prevention, waste, energy, education and winter overseeding is bound to come Making a golf course live means awareness, and social integration. under ever-closer scrutiny. thinking about how it is to last Let’s think about a few of these Bill Love, chairman of ASGCA’s long into the future. Like the great in a bit more detail. Turfgrass environmental committee believes landscape gardeners of the eighteenth management is central; without grass attitudes are a key factor. “As and nineteenth centuries and their we have no golf. There has been architects, we have to ask searching aristocratic clients, those who seek much debate in the industry about questions of our clients. What is to make a golf course live must how golf courses should balance the motivating their perception of a ‘top- think about how it will work and be desire for perfect conditioning—which end’ course as being highly manicured perceived long after their tenure. is a key marketing goal—with the and intensively resourced? If we can This article—indeed this magazine—is need to keep costs down and reduce educate not only developers, but golf not enough space to truly explore every inputs of chemicals and water. Some course staff and the local communities aspect of sustainability as it relates to courses, like Chambers Bay, designed about the positive impacts that golf golf course development, design and by ASGCA Past Presidents Robert can bring, the facility has a much management. The best we can hope to Trent Jones Jr. and Bruce Charlton, better chance of sitting comfortably do is to provide a few pointers. have addressed this challenge by and making a positive contribution Across golf, efforts are being made going for traditional British grass to its local environment for the long to assess and improve sustainability species, specifically fescues, and term. Golf has for a long time been of developments and operations. The there is no doubt that where it can at the forefront of the sustainability Environmental Institute for Golf (EIFG), be successfully maintained, fescue movement, even when we didn’t refer

09 SUSTAINABILITY

Making a golf course live means thinking about how that course is to last long into the future

National Golf Links of America has endured for over a century due to the sustainable nature of its design, greenkeeping and membership. But even elite clubs like this face challenges

to sustainable practices as such. By may well be the easy bit. Good SUSTAINABILITY CRITERIA circumstance, architects have always superintendents and architects have been leaders of the movement. Now always thought this way, and the Social we have the opportunity to be even education programs the profession • Socially desirable more proactive in design, construction has put in place are spreading the • Culturally acceptable • Psychologically nurturing and management, to set the bar even gospel. Social sustainability, by higher and solidify the foundation contrast, probably requires more of a Financial for sustainability.: people, planet and mindset transformation. • Economically sustainable profit,” he says. For most of its history in most of • Technologically feasible Golf’s use of chemicals and water the world, golf has been an exclusive • Operationally viable has been an area of controversy game. It can and probably will remain for many years. Around the world, exclusive in the sense of being Environmental courses have made great strides aspirational and played, on average, • Environmentally robust towards reducing their reliance on by the better off in society. • Generationally sensitive • Capable of continuous learning potable water and moving towards ASGCA member architect Scot irrigating with treated effluent or Sherman is working on a project Future editions of By Design will explore the other forms of brackish water. that exemplifies how sustainable issues surrounding each of the three ‘pillars’ Programs such as integrated pest golf can be, environmentally, socially of sustainability in more detail. management (IPM) and nutrient and, hopefully, financially too. Near management, are also key. the Austrian ski resort of Kitzbühel, The truth, though, is that the Sherman and his client, a local hotel environmental aspect of sustainability owner, are planning a new eighteen

10 | By Design SUSTAINABILITY TIPS Environmental • Maintenance facilities are the greatest potential source of pollution, for both surface and ground water • Waste management: construction produces high levels of waste • Turfgrass management must aim to maximize playability while minimizing inputs

Social • Better access: loss of access to land is among the biggest causes of tensions between golf and communities • Employment: are you creating jobs for local people and thus an economic multiplier effect? • Community: are local people taken ASGCA publication An Environmental into account in your operations? Approach to Golf Course Development profiles real-life projects that address Economic environmental issues and is available • Energy efficient is probably a quicker via www.asgca.org. win for your P&L than attempts to increase revenue • Water is only going to become more expensive, so reducing use has obvious financial implications Making a golf course live means thinking • Resource-efficient businesses are about how that course is to last long into the future more likely to be profitable Source: Golf Environment Organization. www.golfenvironment.org/knowledge © Larry Lambrecht

hole course that will serve as an construction crew and maintenance a view that what matters is the way addition to the basic nine holer the staff without the burden of debt. the course or a club is perceived and owner built some years ago. But the “The routing allows for 14 holes to be presented today and tomorrow to one project has been planned from the constructed by building tees, greens in which the longer-term future is the start to be as low-key as possible “The and bunkers—no earth moving at all. key goal. Superintendents and club owner has said from the beginning The owner also has demonstrated managers alike are well used to taking that he will not spend or borrow a that the existing pasture grass can be decisions in this way—for example, lot of money for the project,” says ‘trained’ to a lower mowing height. every super knows when to favor his Sherman. “Because they have lived in So, I believe we will only irrigate turf and when he can stress it—but this area for many years, surrounded minimally, and build bunkers with the mindset must be spread to golfers by farms, they know the land and fine fescue faces left alone to seed as a whole. When club members and their neighbors. The owner found the head. Finally, the owner will renovate green fee players can look beyond the best golf land close to his hotel by an existing barn to be the clubhouse golf course they see on any given day, simply walking several pastures. He and maintenance facility. The staff will then we will truly be able to say that then approached each farmer with a also come from the family farms right golf has focused on sustainability. proposal to lease their property—not there in the village.” Not every new • buy it—for the course. Furthermore, project will be like this, but Sherman’s Environmental Institute for Golf: he proposed they become involved in example is a fascinating case study for www.eifg.org construction and also stay on to be the how golf could be built. Golf Environment Organization: maintenance crew. So, after amazingly The mindset change required in golf www.golfenvironment.org short discussions with a hand full of can be summarized simply. In short, Audubon International: neighbors, the project had its land, the industry needs to move away from www.auduboninternational.org/ge.html

11 CZECH REPUBLIC

Growing the Game | Michele Witthaus Attracting the masses

hen golf is introduced to a in the early 1990s. Libor Jirásek, who communist government. Designed by new country, too often it founded probably the country’s first Canadian ASGCA member Les Furber W takes one of two tacks. Either golf design practice in 1992, says that and his countryman Jim Eremko, developers look to build golf courses as at that time, there were six golf courses Karlstejn’s initial membership fee, at an amenity for housing developments and around 1,500 active golfers in the US$4,800, was at the time twice the aimed at the country’s wealthy elite, or Czech Republic. From that modest average annual Czech salary. the game is seen as a means of boosting beginning, though, the game has grown Furber recollects the challenge of tourism from overseas. steadily, with the number of players being a pioneer. “The first challenge There’s nothing wrong with either officially registered with the Czech Golf was to assemble the land as there were real estate or tourist golf. But on their Federation now amounting to more 66 different titles to these lands,” he own, neither will create a sustainable than 60,000 (with a large number of says. “The communist approach to golf industry in a country. Tourist golf unregistered golfers also playing the problems and solutions was embedded is at the mercy of the international game on a regular basis) and more than in attitudes and it was difficult to get travel market, and the success of a 100 golf facilities, not all of which are people to think creatively. For many golf tourism destination is always full-scale 18 hole courses. For several years the authorities wouldn’t allow the threatened by the development of years, around 6,000 Czechs have taken owners to build a clubhouse on the top new resorts in new markets; while up golf annually, and that growth looks of the hill, as it could be seen from the development golf, designed first and set to continue. There is strong interest castle.” Karlstejn has been followed by foremost to help sell houses, is hardly in the game in the Czech media–a many more golf courses, with a number the most likely place to attract a mass recent golf day at the Casa Serena course of other international designers having of new participants to the game. near the historic city of Kutná Hora to worked in the country. Golf is not, technically, a new promote the annual tournament on Czech golf is not always cheap. Jeremy introduction to the Czech Republic; the European Senior Tour attracted Ford says that, at his recently opened indeed, the game has a long history in many local journalists. And British golf Prague City course, green fees average the Central European country. The first architect Jeremy Ford, who has worked between €85-€90 (US$100-US$108), Czech courses, in the Bohemian spa in the country for some years, initially and the course is running at around 80 towns of Karlovy Vary and Marianske as part of Austrian designer Hans-Georg per cent of capacity. But KPMG’s most Lazne, date from the early years of Erhardt’s practice, and now under his recent report on the Czech golf industry the twentieth century, and a number own name, says that the federation has points out that the cost of playing the of other golf centres sprung up in the just launched an aggressive marketing game in the country varies dramatically country during the inter-war period. campaign aimed at ramping up the pace according to location, with courses Both Karlovy Vary and Marianske of player growth. “They have targeted a around Prague and in the tourist areas Lazne survived through the period of figure of over 100,000 registered golfers of western Bohemia being especially communist rule, preserved by a small by 2013,” he says. expensive, averaging an annual number of local enthusiasts, but those Opened in 1993, the Karlstejn golf membership subscription of €1,000, venues aside, golf largely ceased to exist resort south-west of Prague was the first while elsewhere in the country, costs in the country. large-scale golf project to be developed are significantly lower. KPMG found The Czech golf renaissance started in the Czech Republic after the fall of the an average weekday green fee of €24,

12 | By Design Casa Serena (left) and the recently-opened Prague City course increasing to €33 at weekends. has its first successful home-grown golf projects will have a pool of readily What makes Czech golf interesting, architect, with others in training in the available golfers aspiring to better things and a valuable case study from which firm, there are many well-respected from which to draw their membership. the rest of the world can learn, is that the Czech course superintendents with Investors interested in bringing golf Czech golf boom has been generated a growing national association for tourists to the country–and IAGTO from the bottom up. The country has greenkeepers, and it has an active golf voted it ‘Undiscovered Golf Destination largely created its own golf industry– course owners association. of the Year’ in 2007–can take on projects Ford says that domestic Czech investors In Sweden, another country that grew knowing that they have a domestic are responsible for most of the active golf from the bottom up, twenty-plus market to fall back on when the next projects of which he is aware–and years of growth in the game, supported golf destination emerges, as it always golf participation has grown rapidly, by the availability of low-cost, relatively will. In short, the Czech golf industry, albeit from a low base. Since the fall of simple golf facilities, created a demand though still relatively small, has a solid communism, the country has experienced for higher quality golf courses. There foundation on which to grow. It is a rapid and sustained economic growth, are signs this same process is starting model that more countries would do well with GDP per capita reaching US$26,800 to occur in the Czech Republic, with to emulate. in 2008, around 82 per cent of the EU a number of large-scale developments • average. The Czech crown has been largely currently in planning. Overseas stable since it become convertible in 1995, investors, from countries as widely and the country’s public debt is among dispersed as the UK and Korea, are the lowest in Europe. showing an interest in developing golf It is well known that golf flourishes in resorts and residential estates in the countries that are economically strong. country. Courses such as Casa Serena, So the success of the Czech economy owned by Taiwanese electronics giant has created the conditions in which golf Foxconn, and Beroun, a private club can grow, and the willingness of Czech opened in 2008, and also designed by investors to put money into golf projects, Les Furber, show there are developers and make them available at affordable willing to put money behind Czech prices, has encouraged many people to golf. Furber says he thinks there is an take up the game. appetite for more, and that the country The result of this is that the Czech may also look to the golf and real estate Republic has, from the bottom up, model so popular elsewhere. developed its own unique golf culture. It Crucially, though, these big-money has done so without the emergence of a developments are being approached on ASGCA Past President Dr Michael Hurdzan authored this groundbreaking major Czech golfing star, often a feature the back of an already successful national book making the case for alternative in the growth of the game in other golf industry. Czechs have embraced golf facilities and including case studies markets–think of the effect Bernhard golf, and are continuing to do so, in illustrating how communities and Langer had on German golf as the most increasing numbers. The result is that individuals made golf work within their obvious example. In Libor Jirásek, it forthcoming large-scale development budgets and available space.

13 EXPERT VIEW

Subject | Ian Tittershill The science of bunker drainage

ver noticed how vehemently cases, helped keep sand on slopes two golfers can disagree on and eradicated an element of E what makes for a good course? contamination between the bunker But then, golf design is subjective and sand and indigenous soils. However, what is ‘great’ to one person may not the fundamental drainage principles be so for another. The fundamental within bunkers need to be challenged rules of golf course construction if superintendents are to be provided are, however, rather less subjective. with a product that can be efficiently The first lesson I learned in golf maintained. construction–which is just as true Water moves through sand under today–is that drainage is key. This gravity. As rain (or irrigation water) is never more important than in the saturates the sand, the water seeks design and construction of bunkers. to migrate from the slopes or faces The lack of good drainage in downwards to the base of the bunker. bunkers on some of the most famous This water movement causes washout golf courses in the world remains a or sand movement from the slopes. As mystery to me. The use of bunkers the sand is moved, the water erodes as catch basins is not uncommon: the faces and causes contamination. the look in the superintendent’s eyes When the greens staff return the when I explain that the bunker and sand to the faces, they actually place surrounding area was designed this a mix of sand and indigenous soils. way is something I never get used to! This creates further problems of sand I recently visited a prestigious golf quality and reduced drainage capacity course in Brazil, Fazenda da Grama. next time it rains. The water has now It is one of the most beautiful courses moved to the base of the bunker– I have seen and is maintained in a so, ironically, the area which is the detailed and sympathetic manner. preferred place for playing bunker However, the greatest challenge shots is the wettest part! the greenkeeper has is bunker As noted earlier, standard drainage maintenance. In the rainy season, in a bunker usually consists of a pipe the course will be hit with rain every overlaid with drainage. The problem day–between two and four inches with this is that the moisture will each day for over two months. Every only transfer from the sand (small single rain event will washout and voids) to the gravel (large voids) contaminate all 90 bunkers. under gravity. A slow dripping Simple drainage schemes have long process ensues and the bunker will been used in bunker construction. eventually become drier. Clearly we A drain consisting of perforated need to look at the physics of water Ian Tittershill pipe with gravel overlaid has been movement and develop a strategy to Ian Tittershill is managing director considered adequate (or just the enhance the evacuation of water from of Sportcrete, which provides bunker only solution). The additional the sand in a more efficient manner lining systems to golf clubs worldwide. use of bunker liners has, in some than simple gravity. The traditional

14 | By Design Bunker construction and lining is extremely important in both construction and maintenance. Bunkers account for less than two per cent of the playing area on a typical golf course yet account for over 25 per cent of maintenance costs.

drain effectively creates a perched water table in the base of the bunker, and while this is what we want on the green to develop root growth, in a bunker it causes a soggy mess. Imagine having bunkers that are consistent throughout. No matter how much rain falls, the faces are the same as the base, and the sand remains on the faces. When discussing bunker construction with Stephen Byrne, course manager at the Wisley club in England, he indicated that consistency was his priority. Bunker construction and lining is extremely important in both construction and maintenance. Bunkers account for less than two per cent of the playing area on a typical golf course yet account for over 25 per cent of maintenance costs. It would be fair to say that more money is spent on bunker maintenance than green maintenance on a modern golf course. The challenge is to have bunkers designed, constructed and lined to enable maintenance and work with natural conditions and environment. It is impossible to keep sand on 90 degree slopes, so bunkers should be designed with maintenance in mind. Our Sportcrete lining system is one product available which has been Sherwood CC in California has Sportcrete bunkers specifically developed to enhance the drainage of bunkers. Sportcrete is a Design in 2009, director of agronomy Systems like Sportcrete may add to system that works with the natural Sean Dyer reckons he is saving 175 upfront costs, but long-term savings movement of water within sand and man hours of labour–and around 30- can be significant. We all look for encourages the movement rather 40 tons of fresh bunker sand–every bunkers that are maintainable and than fights it. At Sherwood Country time there is a storm. “As long as the in the truest sense of the most used Club in California, for example, where piped drainage works, there seems word in the industry these days, our system was installed as part of a to be no limit to how much rain the sustainable. Now, there’s a thought: bunker renovation led by Nicklaus bunkers can take,” Sean told me. sustainable bunkers. • 15 EXPERT VIEW

Renovation | ASGCA Remodeling More information is available in the ASGCA publication The Golf Course Remodeling Process, available via the golf course www.asgca.org.

olf clubs are under constant pressure to attract new players, Gand remodeling can improve a course’s prospects. A remodeling program can address maintenance problems, design or aesthetics, and even restore historic value. Remodeling provides the opportunity to rebuild greens, correct poor turf and drainage conditions, or upgrade bunkers. Other activities to consider during renovations are irrigation system replacement, adjustments to the level of difficulty of the course, changes to tees to make the course longer or shorter, or adaptations to suit a particular golfer type. The remodeled course may even attract regional or national tournaments. Goal-setting for any remodeling project should be a joint process, involving the golf course management, owner, superintendent and club members. A professional ASGCA architect can offer reliable advice on considerations such as existing conditions, safety matters and the scope of work. The architect can also advise on budgeting, funding sources, planning and scheduling. • 16 | By Design ASGCA Major Partners and Patrons program Supporting Education in the Golf Course Industry ASGCA would like to thank the following companies — Major Partners in golf course renovation, water management and environmental educational programming:

ASGCA Patrons support ASGCA members in their efforts to create golf courses — both new and renovated — that are aesthetically pleasing, technically sound, environmentally sensitive and economically viable. Whether a manufacturer or distributor of golf course products, a golf course builder or provider of a service to support the development and construction process, ASGCA Patrons provide a broad set of solutions useful in many golf course projects. Visit the Resource Directory at www.asgca.org to learn more about how these companies can support your project.

American Society of Irrigation Consultants Golf Property Analysts Rain Bird — Golf Division Aqua Turf International Green Golf Consulting, LLC Reef Industries, Inc. Billy Casper Golf Hall & Company SeaIsle 1 Growers Association Bryant Taylor Gordon Golf Harvey Mills Design SeaIsle 2000 Growers Association Bridge Builders Hendrix & Dail, Inc. Seed Research of Oregon Clive Barber Photography Heritage Links Signature Bridge, Inc. Dakota Analytical, Inc. Hydroseeding Technologies, LLC Smith Turf & Irrigation Dakota Blenders, Inc. Imperial Headwear SMR Farms Dakota Peat & Equipment JacklinGolf South Florida Grassing Inc. Dale Winchester & Associates John Deere Sportcrete Duininck Golf Lambrecht Photography Team UGA Environmental & Turf Services, Inc. Land Design Consultants, Inc. Tee-2-Green Ewing Irrigation Products, Inc. Landirr, Inc. TifEagle Growers Association Fiber Bond Corporation Masuen Consulting, LLC TifSport Growers Association Firestone Specialty Products Mid America Golf & Landscape, Inc. The Toro Company — Commercial Division Forward Management Group Old Castle Precast Enclosure Solutions The Toro Company — Irrigation Division Golf Course Arbor Tree Service Profile Products CLOSING THOUGHTS

It is in the mass market–the clubs, daily fee and resort courses that everyday golfers frequent–where improvements in design and construction will have the greatest effect

Subject | Adam Lawrence

Adam Lawrence Adam Lawrence is editor of Golf The new Course Architecture and a contributor to Golf Monthly and Golf World in the UK. Educated at Oxford University, he has been a journalist throughout his golden age? professional life.

alking about a new golden age convinced that there has been a courses to be constructed on land of golf design, when the golf real change in the quality of work initially highly unsuitable for golf, T development industry, in some being done by golf architects and but it has also led to sites being parts of the world, is mired in the builders at every level. Gone, mostly, over-worked, and money spent that deepest depression in living memory, are the boring holes flanked with perhaps need not have been. The might seem a little eccentric. But I am shallow, saucer-shaped bunkers and economic realities of today’s golf convinced that the overall standard greens with little or no interest. The industry, though, are unlikely to of work being done by golf architects realization that average golfers can permit many more paens to excess. around the globe at the moment is deal with contour and short grass One key legacy of the golf and real higher than it has been, at least since far better than they with sand, rough estate model is a tacit acceptance that the original ‘Golden Age’ of the 1920s. or water has begun to penetrate, golf alone cannot be a commercial It’s tempting to demonstrate this by and even designers who previously proposition, other than in exceptional pointing to some of the truly great preferred to build relatively flat circumstances. This is a destructive golf courses constructed recently. But greens are starting to add slope. position for golf, relegated, even in the very best courses are outliers with In emerging markets where the the eyes of many in the industry, only a tangential impact on the way first courses were built ten or twenty to the position of an amenity. New the overwhelming majority of golfers years ago, I have seen new venues of business models are required, models come to love and pursue the game. a much higher standard. The result that put golf back at the center of The revival of interest in classic styles is capitalism in the raw: competition developments, rather than a use for of design that Pete Dye instigated in forces older courses to upgrade their the poorest land on a property and a the sixties and seventies, and which facilities. Good news for golfers, who stormwater detention capacity. How has come to fruition in the last decade get better, more interesting courses, this is to be done, I cannot say (it will and a half has made a big difference to and good news for the industry at a surely involve a dramatic reduction in the Top 100 rankings but most golfers time when work is hard to come by. the kind of budgets people expect): experience such courses rarely if ever. The architects of the Golden Age but I’m convinced it’s the golf design It is in the mass market–the clubs, had many advantages over today’s, profession’s big task. daily fee and resort courses that especially better land. Not everything There are, still, poor courses being everyday golfers frequent–where was in their favor, though: where built, and poor renovation work being improvements in design and construction was needed, they had undertaken. But if I’m right about the construction will have the greatest only basic tools. Their work has the general standard we can surmise that effect. At this level, creating courses patina of time; shaping that was raw competition will see the poor crowded that are more fun to play will have a and angular has softened. out by the good, and the quality of the real impact on the game’s prospects. Today, we live in a world where average golf course trending upwards From my (fairly extensive) travels anything is possible if the budget over time–great news for everyone around the golfing world, I am allows. That has enabled some great who loves golf. • 18 | By Design SPONSORS

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