Gary Linn, ASGCA

Alister Mackenzie once said, “The value of a golf course is measured by the mental labor put into it, and not by the manual labor and materials.” This idea is especially true in regards to the construction portion of a course remodel. Indeed, much thought is required as the planning, undertaking, and reviewing of construction occur in a course remodel.

When considering course construction, some may wish to do the work “in-house.” This option can certainly save money, but you should consider that all superintendents and crews will be involved in the process, regardless of whether the work is done in-house or not. The challenge, at the start, is to determine the degree to which the superintendent and crew are engaged in the project. Alternately, hiring a contractor provides a level of insulation and accountability, and relieves pressure from the course superintendent.

When selecting a contractor, the type you choose is relative to the scope of work and the level of golf course architectural services required. I recommend finding a contractor that has worked locally, is familiar with area suppliers, and has a background in renovation work. When deciding on an option, the contractor with the lowest price should not necessarily be your choice; there are other factors to consider, including past experience, reputation, ability to work within a budget, and ability to complete projects on schedule.

Construction costs are impacted by a number of issues, including the scope of the project; the cost and availability of preferred construction materials; contractor availability; prevailing wage requirements or unions; and permit requirements. With so many factors influencing costs, you should always have a contingency fund of 10 to 15 percent, and you should be prepared to use it!

Foxtail Golf Club, North Course, Hole 1 - Rohnert Park, California

It is best to conduct a meeting with your contractor prior to construction to establish a mutual plan on topics like construction phasing, staging areas, and equipment access routes. It is also important to have the right mindset during the construction process. Construction is a dynamic process that requires an open mind and good decision-making.

Additionally, I advise mitigating any disturbances that can be anticipated. This may include making arrangements for play to continue through the renovation or clearly identifying construction areas on the course. You will also want to keep everybody informed regarding the project’s progress, ensuring golfers know what to expect both during and upon construction completion.

In regards to the construction schedule, conducting renovations during good weather eliminates many variables in the process. It also makes grow-in a more manageable procedure and allows for a faster maturation process. Your schedule will ultimately be based on factors like your budget and cash flow, your contractor’s capacity (personnel and equipment), needed permits and approvals, and your desire to minimize play disruption.

When construction is complete, your focus should then shift to maintaining the changes, as the money spent during construction will mean nothing if the renovations are not properly maintained. To bring newly renovated areas up to top playing conditions, be prepared for increased fertilization and watering; have extra materials such as seed, erosion fabric, and topdressing materials on hand; and anticipate needing extra labor to perform grow-in tasks. Remember that some changes may not be seen as ideal at first, but allow the renovations time to settle, and the tone of the golfers will adjust accordingly.

ASGCA has a number of resources to help course decision-makers learn about planning and remodeling. The “Q & A” series of brochures, available here, tackles the subjects of master planning, remodeling, golf course development, and selecting a golf course architect.

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