THINGS WEAR OUT—That’s just the way it is. Whether it is the roof, the swimming pool or the golf course irrigation system, club assets have a limited life span.
In today’s competitive environment, forward-thinking clubs Recognizing that every course is unique and that repair and are planning for future capital improvements and replacement.
In today’s competitive environment, forward-thinking clubs are planning for future capital improvements and replacement. In its recent 2018 Golf Industry Report, the National Golf Foundation estimated that renovation, not new construction, is the largest source of U.S. golf course development activity, with approximately 1,100 course renovations over the past decade representing a total estimated investment of at least $3.25 billion. And that doesn’t even factor in “minor” rehabilitation and replacement projects being done every year at virtually every club.
This evolving trend of budgeting and implementing club improvements has been aided and abetted by a now long-running and thriving post-recession economy which has given clubs the resources and confidence to make capital improvements. In many cases those projects had been deferred—either because of lack of funding or fear of what the future held for private clubs . . . and golf in general. Astute, strategic-thinking club boards are increasingly aware that continuing to delay necessary capital replacement and enhancements can only exacerbate the inevitable downward spiral that inevitably happens when a club fails to reinvest in itself.
While it is fairly evident that repairs need to be made when the paint peels, the HVAC system fails or the roof leaks, it is not so easy for club members to understand that the golf course itself faces similar ageing and decay. When the greens run true, the fairways are green and the playing experience is enjoyable, course upgrades don’t always take the highest priority. The reality, however, is that the components of the golf course, many of which are underground, do wear out or become obsolete over time.
The American Society of Golf Course Architects has done considerable research to determine the “useful life” of the various golf course components. They assert that delaying replacement of key items can lead to greater expense in the future, as well as a drop in conditioning and player enjoyment. To assist club owners and boards, the Society has published guidelines as to the expected life cycle of course components, ranging from greens and bunkers all the way to irrigation systems, cart paths and drainage systems.
Recognizing that every course is unique and that repair and maintenance practices weigh into the ultimate useful life, every club should be planning for future capital repairs and replacement. The best clubs are commissioning replacement reserve studies to map out future capital replacement costs so they can segregate and save funds for future capital needs. It is inevitably a case of electing to “pay me now or pay me later.”
Not to be overlooked is the other driving reason for investing in the club, whether it be the clubhouse, the social amenities or the golf course itself. Today’s current and aspiring club members are measuring your product against the competition. If a club isn’t continually striving to improve, both facilities and programming, it will be left behind in a hurry. The golf course is the centerpiece of most clubs. The best clubs don’t just replace golf course assets, they strive to make their courses better.
Landscapes Unlimited is engaged by many clubs to plan and implement course renovation projects, some of which are replacement related and some are “enhancements.” Following are some prevalent trends in golf renovation:
■ Bunker Modifications—Bunkers are among the costliest golf course features in terms of routine maintenance. New technology in bunker liners, drainage systems and sand types not only make bunkers easier to maintain, but also improve their look and playability.
■ Irrigation System Upgrades—New technology now available in irrigation components allows the golf course superintendent to not only conserve water, but to irrigate much more efficiently resulting in improved course conditions and aesthetics.
■ Regrassing—New hybrid strains of grasses can be more disease resistant along with more tolerant of drought conditions. In many cases, changing out the grass type improves playability and can facilitate a reduction in the use of chemicals, herbicides and pesticides.
■ Turf Reduction—Reducing the acreage of maintained turf on a golf course can be accomplished by returning “out of play” areas to a native vegetation look or by utilizing other types of ground cover such as decomposed granite, wood chips or mulch. This type of modification can result in lower maintenance cost and potentially a whole new look to the course.
■ Greens Modifications—Improving the look and playability of a putting green can range the gamut from a “core-out” where the drainage system and subsoil are replaced to a complete greens complex re-design. There is a wide range of renovation options depending on whether the club and the golf course architect are just trying to improve green drainage or whether they are after a whole new look.
Clubs renovate for a variety of reasons and the appetite for renovation will vary from club to club, but every club needs to budget and plan for asset reinvestment. It’s just the way it is.
Michael Jenkins is president of Landscapes Golf Group, a division of Landscapes Unlimited, a club owner, operator and renovation specialist. He can be reached at [email protected] or visit landscapesunlimited.com.