Build it right: Part 2

Renovations, restorations, “reimaginings” or whatever we’re calling them these days … superintendents at well-funded facilities must be prepared for big-project action at almost any moment. Last month, we explored factors to consider before a project begins. This month, we’re providing final pre-project reminders, then getting you ready for construction and post-construction.

Speak up or … Ask questions if you see something that doesn’t look right or make sense. Speak up now or regret it later. Some final keys:

• What type of turf will be used? A new breed or something you’ve maintained in the past? Is it right not only for the environment but for the conditions the architect wants to create?
• What types of putting green profiles will you need to maintain? Again, are they best for the terrain and your region?
• Is the design appropriate for the golfers who play your course?

Write things down, and keep in constant communication with your management and board. Despite what they might think, you’re the expert. For example, make sure everyone understands that post-construction maintenance budgets will be higher than they’re used to since it will cost more to establish the turf and protect the investment.

During: Be vigilant about watching that the architect’s goals don’t exceed the club’s grasp. Don’t get conned into accepting something you can’t maintain and your golfers can’t (and won’t like to) play. Communicate, communicate, communicate!

Things to watch for, based on the experience of others:

• Try to be part of the turf selection decision. Don’t assume the architect knows about different turfs, or how they’ll respond in your region and seasons.
• Watch out for last-minute decisions on green sizes or fairway grading that result in changes to sand depths or fairway capping material not meeting depth specifications. More material means cost overruns.
• Watch for fairway mounding added after finish grade is done, resulting in inconsistent capping depth.
• Designing bunker noses/edges that are not accessible by ride-on mowers and require hand maintenance with push or fly mowers. Slight aesthetic adjustments (and communication) can eliminate a lot of handwork, time and cost. Intricate noses and edges also make it difficult to rake and push up sand when needed.
• Beware of high-flashed bunkers. They make it almost impossible to maintain proper sand depth and mean extra maintenance time.
• Inconsistent grassing lines. At what height the rough will be mowed to establish a minimum grass line width? You want to prevent the need for push mowing and trimming random areas of rough.
• Designing adequate space for carts to enter and exit in relation to mounding, native or desert areas and trees, or placing bunkers in walk-on/walk-off areas around greens. Review and discuss impact of heavy traffic impacting turf.
• Are par 3 teeing areas large enough to accommodate the volume of play?
• Teeing areas on the first and 10th holes need to be large enough to accommodate walking around as players make bets, take photos and wait.
• Watch out for undersized driving ranges, range tees, small practice putting greens and/or building drastic slopes that force traffic into small areas of green and tees.
• The late architect Arthur Hills said, “Nothing is more important in golf course design than drainage, drainage, drainage.” Not installing or poor planning of proper drainage in fairways and roughs can ruin the project. And make sure there are adequate catch basis in the line of play.

After: Don’t open too early if the course isn’t ready. You run the risk of losing turf and having to shut down — again. Don’t bow to pressure from the architect, owner or members to open if the course won’t be at its absolute best. You only get one chance at a first impression.

Make sure everyone knows that the course is not done just because the reopening has been scheduled. Immature turf, course infrastructure, internal features, bunker sand, sod-seam healing and irrigation programming require time.

Speaking of time, returning any course to quality turf and conditions is never immediate. Green speeds and firmness, sand firmness, fairway turf density, tee firmness — all take time.

Doing any job right is expensive. But it will cost twice as much if you have to do it over.