SPECIAL FEATUREGrow The Game!ISSUE 175 APRIL 2015How do you know if yourgolf course needs renovation?You first have to lookat the game of golf as itis played today and thepeople playing it.The game of golf is changing, and hasbeen for some time. Recent trends in golfcourse architecture have had a tremendousimpact on the playability and maintainabilityof golf courses. Technological advances in turfgrass, irrigation systems, maintenance equipment,chemicals, and maintenance practicesare all changing the face of the game. All ofthese things are inter-related and affect eachother as they are applied to the golf course.Against this backdrop, Asian Golf satdown with one of the biggest names inthe business of golf course design in theworld, Schmidt Curley Design. This companyhas received numerous accolades for itsaward winning golf course developmentsincluding the Asian Golf Award for Best GolfCourse Architect in the Asia Pacific for thepast three years.We spoke to Brian Curley, the cofounderand principal of the company andwe now present excerpts of the interviewwhere he shares his thoughts on the processof renovation:ASIAN GOLF: Let’s look at the rich anddiverse legacy that golf has createdin the region over the last 30 years.In this period of time, the populationof golf courses in Southeast Asia inparticular has ballooned to over 800courses. Many of these courses arenow fairly advanced in age and duefor renovation. Do you think that thisis a fair assumption?BRIAN CURLEY: There is no questionthese courses often need some help. Eventhe best construction efforts need help overtime. Many of these were built with less thanproper construction techniques to begin withso the need is much greater. In addition, thebusiness often sees trends and attitudes indesign change and the marketplace can bevery fickle. Good owners and operators willunderstand the value of improvements ona long term basis. There has been a monumentalmovement in what is considered aproper course with less emphasis on perfectlymanicured courses but more rustic andnatural. This has been a very difficult sell inAsia especially but times have changed andthe pendulum is shifting this way. Ultimately,owners will see that adjustments to thecourse will result in sometimes substantialreductions in operation cost and all the whilepleasing the golfers with better visuals and,perhaps, better conditions and playability.Good owners and operators will understand the value of improvementson a long term basis. There has been a monumentalmovement in what is considered a proper course with less emphasis onperfectly manicured courses but more rustic and natural.”There is a strong argument for arenovation that takes time, evena few years. There is no need to rush toa new product when the budget mayprevent it. Better to take your time anddo it right over a longer period as longas the course is somewhat proper.”AG: As one of the most highly regardedgolf course design companiesin the world, give us a sense of howyou view renovation. Age alone is notthe only criterion to proceed with arenovation project. Correct?BC: Correct. We have a couple of renovationdeals that are very young but poorlydesigned courses that golfers hate and willnot return to. Quite often this has been in thequest for difficulty over playability. Golfers willaccept (and support) difficult courses whereyou can find your ball. But, as I have oftensaid, losing your ball is tough and is no fun,even for the best players. Many courses thataverage players see as overly intimidating areseen in much the same manner by professionals.Many players (and owners) think acourse must be tough to be considered greatbut this attitude is changing and the playersthat matter (the ones who do not play forfree but are paying the bills) should have alouder voice. I believe you will see a drasticshift on an annual basis in the top rankings ofcourses in Asia over the years until the dustsettles and the focus is on many factors muchgreater than difficulty.AG: Many owners that we have spokento feel that renovation is like addinga new room or toilet to an existinghome. How can this overly simplisticmindset be changed and why is it importantto view a renovation projectfrom a holistic perspective?BC: Many of these owners have never hada qualified person give them a real analysisof their course and what the potential maybe. I have opened the eyes of many ownerswho are now looking to ways to stay on topof a market and remain the best possibleproduct for their users. I think many ownersfeel that the money spent will not be seen.This could be the case but there can also begreat strides in the proper direction on marginalbudgets if the right person is giving asolution or suggestion.AG: Another owner that we talked tomaintained that he was only interestedin renovating his greens and was notinterested in doing something aboutthe fairways which, by our estimationhad compacted over the years andwas rock solid. Your advice?BC: Many factors and questions here. Is itwalking only? Do carts add to the problem?Is there a proper path system? A lot of problemsare the result of another related issue.AG: Likewise, there is anotherwho wants his bunkers only to bedeepened because he feels that theexisting traps are too shallow. Again,your thoughts?BC: They must be really shallow! We havedone many deep bunkers over the yearsbut only if there was commensurate fairwaywidth. The combination of deep bunkersand narrow fairways is a lethal recipe. I preferless depth nowadays and, perhaps, morerandom placement.AG: renovation advisable?BC: Sure. There is a strong argument for arenovation that takes time, even a few years.There is no need to rush to a new productwhen the budget may prevent it. Better totake your time and do it right over a longerperiod as long as the course is somewhatproper.AG: Oftentimes, irrigation systemsare totally out of commission. Giventhe fact that a golf course needs towould it not make sense to investirrigation system?BC: Absolutely, and this is quite often thefirst step in the process to look at more worksuch as bunkers or turf changes. Many, many,remodels are the result of irrigation change.52 53 ASIAN GOLF
SPECIAL FEATUREGrow The Game!AG: In a complete course renovation,would it make sense to minimizegrassed areas along fairways to reducedmaintenance cost?BC: Only if there is a well thought out substitutefor the reduction of turf. Many Asianclimates would be difficult to introducea sandy waste area as is often the case inmany other climates. The amount of rainfalloften dictates that you must keep a verymaintainable surface. This is why so manycourses just opt to plant out wall to wall turfrather than fight weeds and snake habitat.AG: In a renovation project would youconsider the utilization of native grassspecies on fairways – after all, theseare rugged and robust species that willbe naturally resistant to pest attacks,less demanding on water and totallycapable of growing and remaininghealthy without the use of growthenhancing chemicals and fertilizers?54 55 ASIAN GOLFBC: It sounds great in concept but oftenhits a snag with the marketplace thatdemands good conditioning. I am hopefulthat this will become more accepted asthe concerns for the cost of playing driveplayers away from the game. If you studyold footage of major championship golf, thecourses were often less than mint in condition.I am hopeful this can change in time.AG: One of the biggest challengesconfronting the world today is thegrowing scarcity of fresh water.Against this doomsday scenario,wouldn’t it make sense to factor thisimportant consideration into anyrenovation project?BC: Of course. Reducing turf from thebeginning needs to be a given. The difficultydown the road is what to plant whilemaintaining playability and a good look.The reality is that dry, hardpan areas can bevery playable, maybe not what the ownersthinks players want but the Western marketshave been very accepting of the look.AG: Would you subscribe to thethinking that a renovation projectwould be an ideal opportunity forfriendlier and easier to play on whichin turn would help grow the gameand generate more operating revenuefor the club?BC: Certainly. This should be at the top ofthe list in any renovation. How do we drivemore players as well as just a concern forrates increasing revenue? Many coursesexist with small profit margins and a slightincrease would be a huge impact to thebottom line. Again, the long term look maydrive the acceptance of spending “now”money in search of long term revenues.AG: Renovation would also be a greatway to correct the mistakes made onAgree?BC: No doubt. Asia has no shortage ofcourses that were poorly thought out,designed, and constructed. Too often thenovice believes this is what a golf courseshould look and play like. I have long seenthis as one of the barriers to the growth ofthe game. Players go from the range to acourse that is poorly designed and unplayableresulting in a frustrated player thatgives up. Too often these players go straightto the back tees of a difficult course ratherthan build up a skill level. Starting withproper experience could help immensely ingrowing the game.
Change language