club, contributing to what golf has so
successfully provided in the past but is
struggling to sustain at present.
A more radical approach to space
limitations would be to eliminate some
of the golf course altogether, likely
nine holes, and finding a financially
successful means to keep the
eliminated area as green space and/or
to add real estate. If the previous facility
was just 18 holes, this would leave a
nine-hole course, which may be a more
viable golf model for that facility. There
is an abundance of successful nine-hole
courses throughout the country. From
a business perspective this approach
can reduce expenses, lower taxes and
increase revenue.
Most golf course superintendents
agree that reducing the course from
27 holes to 18 or 18 to nine reduces
maintenance costs almost equivalent
to the scale of the reduction. The
typical $500,000-$1,000,000 per year
maintenance for 18 holes of golf is a
significant cost. Typically, savings of
at least one third of the golf course
maintenance budget can be achieved
by closing half of the course. And
closing half of the course allows
perhaps 75 acres of an 18-hole course
to be used for something else.
Environmental regulation provides
financial benefits by showing respect
for the land. Placing the unused golf
area into a conservation easement
can provide tax benefits based on
the difference in value of the area
developed into its ‘highest and best
use’ versus leaving it undeveloped.
Wetland mitigation banking and the
recently developed daily nutrient load
runoff regulation allow the owner to
sell credits of their created wetlands
and runoff catchment basins to other
developers for land they have impacted.
Municipalities make revenue by renting
ball fields to soccer, softball, baseball
and lacrosse leagues throughout their
community. Huge potential exists by
farming golf holes. A recent article by Ed
McMullen of the Urban Land Institute
describes how agricultural plots within
developments increase property values.
Plus, revenue is possible from land
leases to local farmers or home owners
providing the intriguing prospect of
locally grown vegetables. Fruit trees,
timber and nurseries may also work.
Talk about coming full circle, in many
cases the land was a farm before it was a
golf course.
Many golf courses need help for
survival. Providing new real estate,
allowing non-golf use and/or reducing
the amount of golf by converting to
alternative uses hopefully provides
solutions for the sustainability of the
facility. Conversions are practical,
because the complete infrastructure
system is in place with power,
water, irrigation, sewer, circulation,
clubhouse, parking and maintenance
equipment. Also, the facility is already
entitled, has identity, marketing and
some degree of interest.
Each situation is different, and the
identification of alternative uses
should be based on the needs of the
local community. But the fact that
variety creates interest is universal.
Alternative uses provide variety. It
is proven over the years that people
love golf and golf courses, but at its
core, the golf course is a green space
capable of many uses. The alternatives
are worthy of consideration.
•
Erik Larsen
Erik Larsen, ASGCA is principal of
LarsenGolf and a past president of the
ASGCA. He formerly ran Arnold Palmer’s
golf design business and has 30 years’
experience in the golf development
industry having personally designed
almost 100 golf courses in communities
in 23 states and 24 countries. He is a
nationally certified Landscape Architect
(CLARB) and a member of the American
Society of Landscape Architects.
Erik can be contacted by emailing
.
17
Cart paths could be used by skaters, walkers
and joggers during low golf play times
