Issue 4 | Fall 2010 BY DESIGN Excellence in Design from the American Society of Architects

Delivering Value How a Golf Course Architect can Help your Club to Succeed

Also: Short Courses • Golf in • Stormwater Management • Pace of Play

FOREWORD

his fourth issue represents the end of By Design’s fi rst year. One of CONTENTS our purposes in launching the magazine was to draw attention to the T wide range of great work that golf architects are doing around the world. We know that golf businesses everywhere are having to work extra Digest 5 hard to cope with current market conditions, but is the glass half full, half Our regular round up of recent golf empty, or is it actually twice as big as it needs to be? I refer to the article in architecture news this issue on why, in this market, less can often be more. With that in mind, this issue has a number of great examples of how the golf Delivering Value 8 industry in general, and ASGCA member architects in particular, are retooling We examine the ways in which a golf to adjust to new market conditions. Our cover story shows that architects course architect can help a club to can add to their core areas of expertise, and are real trusted partners for golf prosper in diffi cult times developers and clubs as they look to enhance their facilities and make them more sustainable. And our piece on stormwater management shows the value Golf and the Economy 12 that golf facilities have beyond their status as places to play our great game. The PGA of America’s Joe Steranka We’re grateful to get the insight of Joe Steranka of The PGA of America explores the wider contribution of golf on the value of golf to the economy and Bill Yates on pace of play. ASGCA President Erik Larsen also shares his thoughts on the value of a golf course. Flood Management 14 As we enter our second year of publication, we’d like to thank you for your We assess the role of golf courses in support and the widespread enthusiastic reception for By Design. We look stormwater control forward to bringing you insight into and perspectives on golf design for many more years to come and as always we welcome your comments and feedback. Pace of Play 16 Bill Yates explains how good design can help operations Yours sincerely, Golf Course Value 18 ASGCA president Erik Larsen highlights environmental, social and fi nancial value

Bob Cupp, ASGCA Treasurer American Society of Golf Course Architects

COVER

Editor: Adam Lawrence; News: Michele Witthaus; Design: Paul Robinson; Bruce Graham; Publisher: Toby Ingleton; Editorial contributors: Erik Larsen, Joe Steranka, Bill Yates; ASGCA Staff: Chad Ritterbusch; Therese Johnston; Mike Shefky; Aileen Smith; Marc Whitney Photography: Istockphoto.com, Schmidt-Curley, Toro, Verdura Golf Resort Subscribe to By Design at www.tudor-rose.co.uk/bydesign

© 2010 American Society of Golf Course Architects. All rights reserved. www.asgca.org

By Design is sponsored by: Golf at Rocco Forte’s Verdura resort in Sicily, Italy, designed by Kyle Phillips, ASGCA

03

DIGEST

Golf Course Length Less is more; the rise of shorter courses olf developers may believe they need G 7,200 yard courses to attract good players, but back are rarely used and just add to the cost of construction and maintenance. Old Course in Such was the conclusion shape with Toro of a recent panel discussion The St Andrews involving members of the greenkeeping team paid American Society of Golf tribute to the Toro turf Course Architects (ASGCA), maintenance fleet that helped and led by ASGCA president it keep the Old Course in Erik Larsen. “A golf course the financial concerns by Vicki Martz, ASGCA. “A championship condition for owner told me in ten years of players and course 10-15 per cent reduction in the 150th annual Open there were no more than 50 managers, and increasing the acreage to be maintained Championship. “Our Toro rounds of golf played from demands on players’ time, at a course can often be fleet certainly helped us to get the longest tees,” said Jeff a greater emphasis is being found rather easily,” Martz the job done and achieve the Brauer, ASGCA, at the panel placed on the design and said. “And it doesn’t have to results we were looking for,” discussion, which was held construction of nine-hole be an area where ‘you just said Gordon Moir, director as part of the recent Golf courses, a throwback to let the weeds grow’. Land of greenkeeping. “We’ve Course Builders Association the popular plans of the planning and working with been using Toro machinery of America annual meeting. 1950s and 1960s. “It is natural landscape can make for a considerable number “Extreme length and obviously less expensive to for a beautiful course and of years and have found it to larger course sizes can build and maintain nine- surrounding area with less be reliable, plus it produces be a financial burden on hole courses,” Clark said. maintenance.” a high quality of cut. The Old everyone,” said Tom Clark, “And this also provides the Course is very demanding ASGCA. “Courses measuring benefit of perhaps adding Anyone looking to develop on machinery and staff alike, 7,500 yards or more for on another nine holes in or renovate a golf course and we feel that Toro helps 18 holes are played to that the future as needed.” will benefit from reviewing us produce a high standard length by about one per cent During the panel the series of Question and of finish.” of golfers. Something closer discussion, Larsen Answer brochures created to 6,800 yards from the tips noted that architects are by ASGCA, including pieces New rotor eases and 4,800-6,200 yards from increasingly involved in on Master Planning, Golf water management other tees is good for 95 per land planning, including Course Development and A new rotor from Rain Bird cent of all golfers.” walking paths and trails Golf Course Remodeling, all allows for adjustment between Taking into account near courses; a view echoed available at www.asgca.org. full- and part-circle arcs at the twist of a screw, allowing Rio de Janeiro 2016 superintendents to quickly and easily adjust watering on the course as required. The new Olympic decision imminent rotors also offer backward compatibility, meaning, as he executive director of the the next couple of months we’ll have the Lloyd von Scheliha, product International Golf Federation, location of the venue identified, and then manager for Rain Bird’s T Antony Scanlon, says that a decision we’ll move forward with what modifications rotors explained: “In many on selecting a venue for golf’s return to or designs are required.” When questioned instances, superintendents the Olympics at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on the possible designers of the venue, can simply drop the new Rain will be made “as soon as possible”. In an Scanlon admitted: “I’m not aware of any Bird 751 internal assembly interview published on the Golf360 website that have been given to us. They may have into their existing rotor cases, in September, he stated: “I assume within been given to the organizing committee.” saving both time and money.”

05

DIGEST

Golf in China Guidelines for hiring ASGCA architects help China boom available now Those interested in hiring SGCA architects a golf course architect for are making a huge a golf course development A contribution to the or remodeling project can current golf development benefit from a free, easy- boom in China, which was to-use form offered by the focus of a recent article the ASGCA. Request for in Golf Course Architecture Proposal for Golf Course magazine. Architectural Services is a “Every third booth at the comprehensive document recent China golf show designed to help decision in Beijing seemed to be a makers–developers, golf course architect,” said owners, superintendents American designer Dana or managers–address Fry, ASGCA, who, like key elements of a project, many of his colleagues, is including general notice, currently spending a high scope of services, owner’s proportion of his time in responsibilities, submittal the country. requirements and the Brian Curley, ASGCA, of selection process. Schmidt-Curley Designs Six courses are already open at Mission Hills ASGCA can also assist is leading a project at the those preparing the request world’s current hotspot I kept saying to David Chu, And Costello said plenty for proposal on creating the for golfing development, the chairman, that we should of Chinese people get what most comprehensive and Hainan Island. With a do something down here.” golf is really about. “We efficient distribution list to tropical climate–and thus “When the chairman have a client for whom make sure recipients are the the potential for year-round decided to go with Hainan, we’re doing our third most knowledgeable and golf tourism–Hainan, we took a big tour round project,” he said. “We took well-prepared to bid on the long a sleepy agricultural the island–I think I’ve seen him over to Scotland to proposed project. backwater, has been every piece of property play golf, and we were designated as a special there is round here,” concerned about how The complete document, tourist development Curley added: “Architects he would react, but he which provides a thorough location. Golf is playing a are always beefing about retooled his swing to give list of areas to be reviewed massive part in this process, not being involved in site a lower ball flight, and he in detail by golf course and, indeed, the government selection, but we were loved it. They’re travelling owners/managers to help has officially lifted the totally involved in this one.” and experiencing great solicit competitive bids for golf course construction Chinese golf has been golf courses, and bringing the benefit of the project and moratorium on the island. almost entirely about that knowledge back, and the public, is available for With six courses already land speculation, with the realising that what they free download at either open or just about golf courses themselves have here doesn’t match www.asgca.org. ready to open, Mission Hills generally regarded as an that. There are wonderful Hainan may yet end up amenity more than a central sites becoming available, being even larger than its part of the business plan. and it’s a pleasure and a progenitor in on But Brian Costello, ASGCA, privilege to be able to build the mainland. “When we of JMP Golf Design reckons golf on them.” were doing Mission Hills the Chinese golf industry Shenzhen, we hired a shaper is maturing pretty rapidly. Content extracted from who showed up to shape “There’s a desire for golf the article ‘China, golf’s with five surfboards–and for golf’s sake, and I’m wild east’ which appeared every chance he had he’d go sure it will happen,” he in the July 2010 edition of down to Hainan, and he’d said. “Are there golfers who Golf Course Architecture come back telling me how would be interested in that? magazine. For more, visit great it was,” said Curley. “So Absolutely.” www.golfcoursearchitecture.net.

07 DELIVERING VALUE Golf Architects Spread their Wings Delivering Value | Adam Lawrence Around the world, golf course architects are finding that the key to success is being a trusted advisor to clients on more than just where to place bunkers

n one level, golf architecture is of attributes, some of which, at first are, in reality, small companies by the a very specialized profession. glance, might not seem to fit together standards of the economy as a whole, OIt might seem that the golf too well. The sales skills required to and a substantial proportion of the architect, whose job is focused on persuade clients to hire you in the first industry consists of sole practitioners one task—getting the best and most place don’t always go with the kind of or two/three person firms. Combine efficient design for a particular client creative, artistic personality type that this with the very large scale of most on a particular piece of property into would be led to design as a career, and golf developments, and it’s easy to the ground—would be ill-placed to those artistic skills aren’t an obvious fit see why golf course architects have take on other roles. But in fact, the with the kind of engineering abilities— had to become masters of more than sheer variety of skills needed by golf understanding irrigation and drainage one trade to survive. It is common for architects means they are often the design, for example—that modern golf architects to bring to the party best people to resolve problems of architects need. education and training in disciplines many kinds on a job—as many are But the nature of the golf as diverse as engineering, landscape proving in an environment where new development industry is that the design and environmental design. course construction is slow in some people who have been successful A classic example is in the case of parts of the world. over time have had little choice but to site masterplanning. Land planning To be a success as a golf course acquire and develop those skills. Even of developments is a big business, architect requires a broad palette the largest golf architecture practices and goes back at least a century. But

08 | By Design At Lookout Mountain in Arizona, Forrest Richardon, ASGCA, is engaged in a project that will help save the operation ten million gallons of water a year on projects where golf and housing of the waterfront property for golf looking for a traditional environment. are being developed together, a holes. This made Verdura’s two golf A rather different example of a golf common complaint is that the course courses significantly more dramatic architect taking on a wider role can is compromised to benefit the real and memorable—a vital consideration be found at the Tapiola estate. On one level, this is only for a project that is aiming to attract project in Espoo, Finland. A relatively natural—the developer is expecting to golf tourists to a destination that has low-budget project, Tapiola, which earn his return from the homes rather no golfing heritage. But it didn’t come has been in planning for more than than the golf, but sometimes a more at a cost to the appeal of the resort’s ten years, is being built on a landfill flexible mindset is beneficial to all luxury hotel, as Phillips realized the site not far from the Finnish capital, concerned. Take the new Verdura golf tilt of the land meant every room in Helsinki. It is designed by American resort in Sicily, developed by British the hotel could be provided with a sea architect Tim Nugent, ASGCA—but firm The Rocco Forte Collection. At view in any case. The resort’s planned Nugent’s job is extending way beyond Verdura, golf course architect Kyle villas have been located in a plot of placing bunkers and providing plans Phillips, ASGCA, was responsible land to the side of the golf courses, to a contractor from an office on the for the overall site masterplan and, close to the clubhouse facilities, which other side of the ocean. by pushing the hotel buildings back should result in an appealing village Instead, Nugent has relocated to a short distance away from the feel—again, a bonus, as customers Finland for several months and coastline, was able to use the whole buying property in Italy are surely is shaping the course’s greens

09 DELIVERING VALUE

At Stensballegaard in Denmark, Rick Baril, ASGCA, advised on rustic bunkering to reduce the maintenance requirement and at Verdura in Sicily (right), Kyle Phillips, ASGCA, created a masterplan that made best use of the land available

personally, saving the client’s money large bunkers are to be left essentially WHAT ARE GOLF ARCHITECTS on additional fees and potential as raw hazards. At Baril’s suggestion, DOING FOR CLIENTS? rework charges that could arise the owners of the course have should a different shaper misinterpret embraced a very old-fashioned style Improving or expanding his design intentions. At 135 acres, of bunker maintenance—they will be 97% practice facilities the golf course is compact, and was raked by the greens staff, but no rakes Adding new tees for juniors, made even more so when a falcon’s will be provided on the course for 93% seniors etc. nest was discovered behind the site players to use. “Bunkers are hazards,” Discussing irrigation of the planned twelfth green. “I hope the club’s policy document states. 93% upgrades Tapiola will be a good example of Turf reduction is a hot topic around the direction new courses should the golf industry. Especially in the Discussing turfgrass be headed—fun and playable for kind of hot, dry climates that attract 93% reduction everyone, but with just enough to so many tourists to play golf, every Making recommendations for keep good golfers interested,” he says. acre of maintained turf is a big 86% cost savings Because of their place at the center addition to the cost of running a Developing long-range of a project team, golf architects are course. In Arizona, as is well-known, 83% masterplans well-placed to act as the client’s eyes a hard limit has been imposed by Discussing turfgrass selection and ears, spotting potential problems regulators on the amount of turfgrass 83% and overseeing regrassing and opportunities as they arise. Given courses are allowed to maintain, the pressure the golf industry is under but in many other areas, developers Changing courses to improve in many parts of the world at the and operators are addressing pace of play 69% moment, course audits by architects turfgrass reduction programs for Seeking out specialists to are proving crucial in helping owners hard economic reasons. At the recent 62% advise on water conservation understand how they can reduce ‘Golf in the Middle East: The Next Assessing future costs by cutting down on water usage, Generation’ seminar organized by 55% infrastructure needs altering the presentation of hazards Golf Course Architecture, Toro and and other aspects of the course Thomson, Perrett & Lobb, keynote Conducting land planning 55% assessments design, and even reducing the amount speaker Rob Shuttle of Abu Dhabi of turfgrass that a course needs to developer TDIC told the audience: Source: ASGCA member survey maintain. For example, at the new “Golf course development cannot Stensballegaard course in Denmark, continue on the premise that designed by Rick Baril, ASGCA, the bigger, greener and longer is better.”

10 | By Design GOLF ARCHITECTS WEAR MANY HATS

Helping clients select other consultants for projects, such as buildings architects, civil engineers, irrigation designers, mechanical engineers, environmental consultants, landscape architects, and even interior designers.

Long-term master planning: clubs know they need to improve their facilities, but don’t always have the cash or the ability to do it in one fell swoop. Hiring a golf architect can help them create a document that will guide course improvement activities over the long term, perhaps even up to twenty years, prioritizing high-impact work.

Interviewing and selecting At Stensballegaard in Denmark, Rick Baril, ASGCA, advised on rustic bunkering to reduce the maintenance requirement contractors: golf architects often and at Verdura in Sicily (right), Kyle Phillips, ASGCA, created a masterplan that made best use of the land available know fi rms that perform special services such as building rock walls, water features, bridges and Shuttle added that TDIC’s future golf project encounters no diffi culties, but outbuildings, and can connect development plans would seek to it’s when things are different that a clients with these fi rms. This can minimize irrigated turfgrass.” golf course architect can provide a well be especially helpful for facilities Phoenix-based architect Forrest thought out technical solution for the that are upgrading their aesthetics Richardson, ASGCA, is at present vision. In addition, current events show and trying to gain ground in a competitive market. engaged in a project at the Lookout what happens when oversight of big Mountain course in Scottsdale, fi nancial deals goes without adequate Assisting with design and replacing a number of ponds on the supervision. The same is necessary renovation of clubhouses and other golf course with complexes in golf construction, and it has never amenities, such as maintenance consisting of bunkers and native desert really gone away. There’s an old saying: buildings. Being immersed in areas. The alteration is expected to help ‘You don’t get what you expect, you get the business of golf, architects the operators save over ten million what you inspect’.” have a unique, all-encompassing gallons of water each year, making With the sustainability of golf so perspective, and have an intimate the course more sustainable both in high on the priority list of everyone knowledge of what does and does not work functionally and often a environmental and economic terms. within the industry, the wide-ranging knowledge of local building codes “Our value has always been skillset of golf architects in this regard and regulations. something in addition to design; it’s can be of great help. “I have assisted our full service in bringing the project clients with assembling integrated pest Project management: leading an together,” says ASGCA Past President management programs, certifi cations entire development, renovation, etc. Jeff Brauer. “This is evidenced by the such as Audubon Cooperative from beginning to end if necessary. fact that we get about ten percent of Sanctuary, energy audits, and lake our fee for concept design and the and pond management services,” Assisting with graphic rest for construction documents and says Scot Sherman, ASGCA. “On one communications such as logos and imagery: architects are oversight. Owners have always paid project I recently hired and managed often connected to artists and for the ability to (with apologies to a certifi ed arborist to inventory and professionals who can assist a client Larry the Cable Guy) ‘Get ‘er done.’ evaluate 900 trees. The goal is to with printed logos, artwork and Someone has to translate grand extend the life of these ‘geriatric’ trees, course furniture. visions to percentage of slope, width so a plan for each one was needed of clearing, quantities of work, and along with a budget and schedule for Media relations: architects are often so on. It can be done on the fl y by implementation. My connections were well connected with golf media. a contractor, or by using generic key to providing this service to sustain quantities, which is OK as long as the these important trees.”• 11 EXPERT VIEW

The 2005 Golf Economy Report valued golf’s direct economic contribution to the U.S. economy at $76 billion

Golf and the Economy | Joe Steranka Golf: more than just a game

he golf industry has a Act pointed out to golf’s national profound, positive impact associations that we could no longer Ton America’s economic, solely focus on the promotion of the environmental and social agendas. sport of golf, but instead needed to With one million jobs directly put some of our resources toward connected to golf, our sport has promoting the industry of golf. So, a substantial impact beyond the we worked with Golf 20/20 (which is competitive and recreational benefits run by the World Golf Foundation) of participation. Job creation, tax to design a comprehensive analysis generation and tourism activation of golf’s contributions to the U.S. are all impacted by your local golf economy that would show how golf course. Yet many people are unaware benefits society. of golf’s major contributions to the In conjunction with research American economy. partner SRI International, Golf 20/20 In 2005, the Gulf Opportunity Zone released the 2005 Golf Economy Act was passed. This Act allocated Report, which was unveiled in tax benefits and relief for businesses 2008. The report valued golf’s direct that had been affected by Hurricane economic contribution to the U.S. Katrina. However, the bill specified economy at $76 billion, its benefits that tax benefits would not apply including the provision of two million to golf courses or country clubs, jobs and a wage income of $61 grouping those facilities in with billion. That is larger than newspaper Joe Steranka massage parlors, hot tub facilities, publishing, performing arts and Now in his fifth year as The PGA of tanning salons, liquor stores and spectator sports, and the motion America’s chief executive officer, Joe gambling establishments as businesses picture and video industries. Steranka’s dedication and service that would receive no benefits. Golf Additionally, 22 state golf economic to the Association’s 28,000 PGA courses that were in the disaster zone studies have been completed by SRI Professionals as well as the global were denied access to tax breaks that to date, with additional state studies golf industry includes his role as Chair of the World Golf Foundation included accelerated depreciation, currently being conducted. The and member of the leadership teams deduction of demolition and clean-up tremendous impact golf has on the for the World PGA Alliance and costs, operating loss carryback and economy has been consistent across the International Golf Federation’s employee retention tax credit. every economic study that has been Olympic golf bid. The Gulf Opportunity Zone completed. The economic reports being

12 | By Design Major employer Golf is responsible for two million jobs in the United States

2.0m 2m

1.5m 1.07m 1m .90m

0.5m .33m .38m

0 Broadcasting Movies, Publishing Telco Golf Sound

Source: www.wearegolf.org

Major employer Economic boost Golf is responsible for two million jobs in the United States Golf contributed more to the US economy than the movie industry

2.0m $75.9 2m 8 $73.9 $64.7 1.5m 6 $50.1 1.07m 1m .90m 4

0.5m .33m .38m 2

0 0 Broadcasting Movies, Publishing Telco Golf Newspapers Perf. Arts, Movies Golf Sound Spectator

Source: www.wearegolf.org Source: www.wearegolf.org used at the local, state and national Gov. Jim Doyle in announcing that Golf must have a seat at the table as levels are eye-openers for elected officials, golf generated a total economic impact those policies—tax, environment, media and business leaders alike. When of $2.4 billion, supporting more than workplace, trade, trademark, health FloridaEconomic Governor boost Charlie Crist attended 38,400 jobs with $771.5 million of care—are being developed and the 2010 PGA Merchandise Show, he wage income in 2008. That makes golf implemented, because the industry marveledGolf contributed at the more fact thatto the one US ineconomy 85 than thecomparable movie industry to revenues generated by has something valuable to add to the Floridians over the age of 18 have jobs other key industries in the state, such dialogue and can benefit from, and $75.9 that8 are connected with golf. $73.9 as medical device manufacturing ($2.4 avoid harm by, engaging in the debate. Is the state of Florida any$64.7 different billion), corn production ($1.7 billion), The coalition’s Web site, than6 Wisconsin,$50.1 New York or and even breweries ($851.3 million)! www.wearegolf.org, plays an integral Connecticut? Not according to Golf In each of these states, and in every role in information and advocacy 4 20/20 state economic impact reports other state surveyed thus far, golf is efforts and features the true ‘faces that2 we have released this year. a key industry contributing to the of golf,’ the men and women whose For example, the Connecticut Golf vitality of the state’s economy and livelihood depends on golf. This is Economy0 Report showed the state’s golf it is important that this is seen by about the PGA professionals, wait industry Newspapersgenerated a total Perf. economicArts, Movies the country’s Golf elected officials. To staff, golf course clubhouse staff, impact of $1.1 billion, Spectatorsupporting accomplish this, the golf industry has maintenance workers, golf course nearlySource: www.wearegolf.org 11,570 jobs with wage income of come together in an unprecedented architects, superintendents, and $336.6 million in 2008. way to form the We Are Golf coalition equipment company employees—it The numbers also were impressive in to educate policy-makers on golf’s runs the gamut of the business of golf. the New York Golf Economy Report, contributions to communities across With the two million total U.S. jobs showing the size of the Empire the country when they are developing generated by the multi-billion-dollar State’s direct golf economy to be $2.9 and advancing important legislation— industry, the nearly 16,000 golf billion, generating $5.3 billion of just as all small businesses want. facilities and more than 28 million direct, indirect and induced economic We Are Golf also is working to share people who play the game, We Are Golf output. The sport accounted for nearly information within the golf industry so hopes to utilize golf’s vast grassroots 56,600 jobs and $1.6 billion in wage that the members of the coalition are network in communities nationwide income in the state, and the economic better informed on issues of concern. to improve the understanding of golf’s activity supported by golf was on We are in a time of unprecedented multifaceted benefits to the economy, with the architectural services government involvement in the business environment and our personal health. industry ($2.7 billion). sector, with a seemingly endless amount That spreads the positive message of At the 92nd PGA Championship in of legislation and regulation impacting We Are Golf and the vital impact of the August, we were joined by Wisconsin the golf industry and small businesses. golf industry.• 13 EXPERT VIEW

Flood Management | Adam Lawrence Weathering the storm

he days when a golf course was Dasher, ASGCA, in 2007. The problem: sustained heavy rains and associated simply a place to play golf are the growth of housing in the area fl ooding during the monsoon season: Tlong gone. Today’s golf courses and the forthcoming widening of the golf courses can help detain and fi lter must pass muster on many other nearby interstate highway created a this water. different levels; rehabilitating former signifi cant stormwater problem, so the Around the world, governments industrial sites, providing pretty views city hired Dasher to retro-fi t a storm have imposed stringent controls on and separation for surrounding real drainage solution. Storm water running the movement of water into natural estate, and being an oasis of green into nearby Little Lake Fairway is courses. It’s common, for example, open space among often crowded and now fi ltered through a series of ponds for golf courses to be told that no polluted cities. But one of the most on the golf course, which helps to water applied to the course should be important ‘additional’ functions of golf purify the run-off, as well as achieve allowed to enter a natural waterway lies in the potential of courses to act a controlled discharge of fl ood. This until it has been fi ltered, so that any as reservoirs for fl oodwater in times of is despite the fact that Dubsdread sits residue of pesticides or fertilizer extreme weather. on a tiny plot by modern standards— applied to the course is kept out of Storm drainage is a vital part of Dasher built a lake that also serves as streams and rivers. In Korea, though, town planning. Understanding where the practice range (using fl oating balls), the situation is even more severe. water will go in the event of heavy to cleverly kill two birds with one stone. There, no rainwater at all is allowed rain is a complex process, and urban Elsewhere in the US, there are other to escape the golf course site without environments old and new need to examples of ASGCA architects fi nding fi ltration—all water that enters the fi nd ways of keeping or getting water solutions that provide effi cient storm course must be captured and detained. away from housing and commercial drainage and good golf alike. Deerpath Naturally, regulations of this kind put property. Put simply, if a golf course Golf Course in Lake Forest, Illinois, great pressure on the course designer fl oods, it’s bad news for golfers–but if was routinely fl ooded by runoff from to come up with creative solutions for a town centre fl oods, it’s bad news for a nearby hospital campus until former water management. all inhabitants! ASGCA President Bob Lohmann and At Bigwin Island Golf Club in Canada, The sheer size of golf courses makes his fi rm Lohmann Golf Designs (LGD) ASGCA Past President Doug Carrick them powerful tools in the armory renovated the course. LGD constructed faced an especially severe challenge; of urban planners: a 150-acre golf a one-acre retention pond and several how to build a golf course on a 500 course can potentially detain a lot of acres of man-made wetlands to serve as acre island surrounded by a pristine water, enabling the controlled release an attractive, effective overfl ow network. of fl oodwater into normal drainage Ducks, heron and egrets have since channels when it is safe to do so. And, found a home at Deerpath, and the around the world, golf architects are wetland system is working effectively to coming up with innovative schemes fi lter the polluted off-site water before it to help towns and cities protect re-enters the nearby Skokie River. themselves against fl ooding, while also The stormwater issue is even more providing great places to play golf. pressing in some other parts of the Take the Dubsdread municipal world. In India, where open drains are course in Orlando. Once the site of the commonplace, fl ooding brings with it Orlando Open, and closely connected major problems of pollution as ‘black with the careers of Ben Hogan, Sam water’ (sewage) contaminates other Snead and Claude Harmon, Dubsdread watercourses, an issue made more was extensively redesigned by Mike intense by the Indian climate, with

14 | By Design The sheer size of golf courses makes them powerful tools in the armory of urban planners: a 150-acre golf course can potentially detain a lot of water

lake—protecting the lake shoreline from the Saigon River north of our island, created so that when the river rises erosion during construction—while then transported by boat and pumped to its highest point, water will be ensuring that runoff water from the onto the site in a watery slurry, which is accepted onto the course site and into course was thoroughly fi ltered before it spread around the property by a network this network of wetlands. It’s a very was discharged into the lake. Yet from of giant piping,” Dale explained. “It’s a attractive, totally golf-centric form of a golfi ng point of view, the lake shore pretty impressive process. There were stormwater retention capability. What’s obviously offered some of the most some 20 cubic meters of fi ll per boatload. more, our lakes are set higher than the compelling land. Do the math. When you do, you can wetlands. When the lakes overfl ow, they In Vietnam, very close to the centre understand why it’s taken two years to release into the wetland network.” of Ho Chi Minh City, a new golf course complete the reclamation.” • project is taking shape. Jeong San Vina Spreading the fi ll around this site, Golf Club is located on an island in in the context of golf construction the Saigon River, directly between the and shaping, is nearly as complicated city’s expatriate district and its new as getting it there. According to Dale, international airport. because of the very high water table, Course designer David Dale, ASGCA, no more than four meters of fi ll are is building Jeong San Vina along a allowed anywhere on the site, lest man-made waterfront with a 50-metre that spot recede. “This is not the sort natural buffer and overarching tropical of project that can be improvised in garden landscape. the fi eld,” Dale says. “The grades of Jeong San Vina’s progress—the our architectural drawings must be course should open in 2011—has extraordinarily precise, and each green ASGCA been additionally complicated by the site will be supported by pilings to extraordinary engineering efforts the support and reinforce elevations that ASGCA’s booklet An Environmental Approach to Golf Course Development site requires. According to Dale, more will exceed the four-meter limit.” includes a detailed case study on than 1.5 million cubic meters of fi ll were “The golf holes must work in the Bigwin Island, and several more required to build up the site and create context of practical environmental examples of golf’s important role in the waterfront landscape. matters,” says Dale. “The wetlands stormwater management. To download “All of this sand was dredged from at Jeong San Vina, for example, were it, visit www.asgca.org.

15 EXPERT VIEW

The flow of courses is aboutrhythm, balance and sequence. A routing plan must give careful attention to each

Pace of Play | Bill Yates Manage by design

ow can a spectacularly time it should take to play can be how wrong many of these beliefs are.” designed course with calculated. Obviously every course “A course that has long walks Himpeccable conditioning will have its own unique time, or Pace might feel quicker than a contiguous produce an indifferent or even a bad Rating (created by the USGA). course because of waits,” he adds. playing experience? But the tension is this. From “So what architects need to do is ‘It took forever to play; we had to opening day, the course management to design a course that has a good wait on every shot,’ players grumble team’s daily practices are what will natural flow, and where waits are as they hurry from the eighteenth determine how long it actually does minimized.” In Richardson’s book green to the parking lot and then to take to play the course. However, Routing the Golf Course he writes: the exit gate, checking their watches. those practices need to be tailored to “The flow of courses is about Will these players ever return? Maybe. the unique demands of the design. rhythm, balance and sequence.” But an opportunity to gain loyal Then, careful day-to-day hands-on “A routing plan must give careful customers has certainly been missed. management is required to achieve attention to each,” he adds. “Without There’s a natural tension that the optimal Pace Rating. these qualities, the golf course might exists in the relationship between Forrest Richardson, ASGCA, thinks as well be an ordinary maze and the golf course architecture and golf designers and managers have little golfer a rat looking for cheese.” course management. The origin of clue as to the real issues. “Many of Bobby Weed, ASGCA, has plenty that tension is the fact that the golf the beliefs of golf designers and of experience of designing courses course architect determines how long managers with regard to slow pace that must cope with slow play, it should take to play a course, while are pure bunk,” he says. “We have having spent several years as chief the golf course management team grown up believing that an opening architect for the PGA Tour. “The grapples with how long it does take hole par three is bad, that too many single most important aspect of golf to play the course. Somehow these par threes are bad, that it is the golfer course design may be the time spent two times are never the same. who is mostly at fault. We even routing,” he says. “Many projects Based on the playing length, believe that the rude marshal who today are dependent on real estate location and difficulty of obstacles, travels about the course glaring at to finance the golf course and thus and travel distances from greens to players is somehow the answer. In incorporate road crossings and tees (all elements of the routing and reality, when you view the problem sprawling, linear layouts to create design), an objective measure of the from a scientific viewpoint, you find development frontage. The core

16 | By Design If golfers have to endure excessively long waits, an opportunity to gain loyalty may be missed golf course is somewhat rare today. the optimal design choices and Certainly, where possible, minimizing management practices to deploy. For the green to distance is the favored example, in a re-routing it is possible design fundamental. To achieve to forecast pace and ‘see’ how a par this, it is preferred to route the golf three or par five hole at a particular course first or in conjunction with the point on a given routing option will overall land use plan. Given today’s affect the flow of play. With computer golf market, it is absolutely essential simulations able to assist in selecting to route courses that efficiently use the appropriate starting interval for a the land, thereby allowing players to particular design and help in fine- use their time efficiently. Developers tuning hole length options, this is who insist on the tired old formula powerful information. And it can all of lining courses on all sides with be accomplished before any work development are quickly killing gets done to make physical changes. the game by making it too time Ultimately, having the right consuming and costly. No matter starting interval and having accurate where in the world it is built, a golf monitoring tools at the outset will course should always enhance a enable the management team to reduce development’s bottom line while also on-course waiting, optimize round maintaining its own.” times, and maximize the revenue- Today, the natural tension between generating utilization of that design. golf course design and management So along with a breathtaking course can be eliminated. During the design, architects can deliver a design phase, technology can be recommended set of best operational used to predetermine the impact of practices and management tools Bill Yates alternate design options on future that can be used from opening day. Bill Yates is the founder and developer management practices. Play can be Then players will come off the course of Pace Manager Systems®, based in simulated on new or remodeling saying: ‘What a great course and what Pebble Beach, California. plans to determine and document a great experience; I’ll be back!’• www.pacemanager.com 17 CLOSING THOUGHTS

My work and what I see from other architects has shown time and again the incredible value a golf course has

Golf Course Value | Erik Larsen

Erik Larsen Erik Larsen is president of the ASGCA Value of the and executive vice president and senior golf course architect of the Design Company. He has been involved in the design of over 100 completed golf golf course courses worldwide.

uring my year as ASGCA Some say a golf course is an skiing or as concert space. The driving President I am proud to be infringement on green space. And range at a golf course is a great place Dworking with our members while it has been pointed out in the to bring in a portable movie screen. and other partners in promoting past how a course can enhance green Invite area residents to the course for the ‘value of the golf course,’ an space rather than inhibit it, the public an evening’s entertainment under the effort to demonstrate the benefits needs to begin thinking of a golf stars, perhaps they will return for a to individuals and communities course as green space. lesson or a round of golf. provided by the course. The three At Chambers Bay in Washington Financial: Each course has its own pillars of this value–environmental, (host to the 2010 U.S. Amateur and value that includes jobs, taxes, social and financial–cannot be the 2015 U.S. Open), Robert Trent charitable fundraising, home values, emphasised enough. Jones Jr., ASGCA and Bruce Charlton, hospitality/tourism and more. What My work and what I see from other ASGCA have designed a walking-only would be the negative economic architects has shown time and again course on county grounds. The course impact on all areas of a community if the incredible value a golf course complements Puget Sound and works that course were not there? has for everything it touches: people, with the natural landscape, allowing for ASGCA is working with our industry environment, wildlife, the community, hiking trails and continued access to partners in We Are Golf to share our the local economy and more. However, county grounds by non-golfers. message with politicians and other there remains an audience which The finest example of a golf course decision makers. We Are Golf has also views the design and construction of interacting with players and non- produced materials to help owners and a golf course as an intrusion that takes players may be St Andrews, Scotland. course managers calculate the financial more from the community than it It is not unusual to see people walking benefits produced for their community gives–which is why architects need to across the famed course on their way by a golf course. be educators. to the beach. As an association that loves golf and Environment: The storm water Social: Social and health benefits works to create sustainable layouts for retention benefits afforded by a golf afforded by a golf course can easily be others who love the game, ASGCA has course dramatically illustrate the lost if they are not stated and repeated. seen firsthand how golf courses truly environmental value to surrounding Walking a golf course leads to better benefit their communities. It’s important areas. Heavy rains this past summer in health. Anyone looking for a moderately to share this message with those who parts of the U.S. led to record flooding. paced, cardiovascular workout would aren’t familiar with the positive benefits However, in areas where a golf course be hard-pressed to find something of golf courses. was designed to handle storm water, better than walking the nine or 18 Our next issue of By Design will feature homes avoided damage. In Brookfield holes designed to work with the natural more on the value of the golf course. We Hills in Wisconsin, seven inches of rain undulations of the land. hope that it encourages you to continue in 24 hours left the course unplayable A course can also be used for other thinking of ways in which you can for several days, but the basements in activities that benefit the community, promote the value of the golf course in neighboring homes remained dry. like trails for jogging and cross-country your community.• 18 | By Design SPONSORS

By Design would not be possible without the support of its sponsors who have played a key role in the publication of this magazine.

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