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at the top. Programs such as this
work when clubs are demanding it,
not when they are being told it is
something they need to do.
Is there not a concern that adopting
the system may be expensive and
disruptive?
Muirhead:
Although the cost of
adding new tees and properly
implementing the system is subject
to a variety of site-specific variables,
including the desired construction
methodology, I think in most cases,
the answer is ‘no’. Many courses,
especially those built during the
past 20 years, already have multiple
teeing grounds that can easily
accommodate the majority of
recommended tee marker locations.
Sometimes, simply extending the
front or rear of an existing tee is all
that’s required. Where additional
forward tees are necessary, they
can often be easily sculpted into
existing fairways and roughs at a
very low cost. Sometimes those
tees can even be added on existing
grades, with no actual ‘construction’
required. Compared to other
course improvements, the cost
and inconvenience associated with
adding tees is minimal, while the
potential benefits and ‘bang for the
buck’ are significant.
Johnston:
Building new tees is one
of the least expensive construction
items on golf courses, but this system
may work on some courses without
any new tees. It all depends on the
topography of the golf course and
the imagination of the person laying
out the tees. The most forward tees
are often a flat part of the fairway
and defined with a plaque mounted
flush with the ground for ease of
maintenance. If new tees are added,
they are generally smaller in scope
and perhaps slightly off to one side
of the golf hole. Every golf course
will be different in terms of where
and how new tee areas are created
or located. An ASGCA member can
layout the tee system, provide a cost
estimate and even get competitive
prices for the work.
Why use an ASGCA member to do
this type of work?
Muirhead:
One of the reasons Dan
Van Horn and his team at the U.S.
Kids Golf Foundation reached
out to the ASGCA Foundation
to partner on this initiative was
because they realized ASGCA
members have the skill set and
experience required to properly
evaluate each site and determine
the most beneficial tee locations,
both in terms of playability and
cost effective construction, to best
adapt and implement the system to
a given property. Achieving that is
paramount to creating the desired
golfer experience and the overall
success of the program and facility.
Our members are also best equipped
to introduce the Longleaf Tee
System and educate decision-makers
regarding its scope and benefits, as
well as helping to develop associated
construction costs and schedules. I
believe the participation of ASGCA
members is critical to the success of
the program.
LaFoy:
ASGCA members are engaged
in the design of golf courses on a
full-time basis and, as professional
designers, they have been fully vetted
by their peers. The ASGCA has gone
to great lengths to explain and educate
our members about the Longleaf
Tee System. We share information
not only about this, but all phases of
golf course design, as we understand
that the more our members know,
the better we can serve the golfing
community. Continuing education is
and always has been a major facet of
the ASGCA.
•
We asked Greg Muirhead, ASGCA, how the Longleaf Tee Initiative has been
received in discussions with clients.
The response has been very positive. Similar to the experience of our ASGCA
Foundation Board, when we visited Longleaf for a first-hand tour and program
presentation by ASGCA member Bill Bergin, people are typically surprised
by the simplicity of the system. After a short presentation, it’s easy for most to
understand the considerable research and data that supported the development
of the system and appreciate the potential benefits.
As with any proposed course improvement, many of the questions relate to
cost. I always emphasize the methods available to manage costs, while still
implementing the program. I also stress the need for each facility to consider
how implementing the program can help increase participation and positively
impact a facility’s bottom line. There’s certainly a return on investment, not only
with revenue from the increased rounds played, but also with increased cart
rentals, food and beverage sales, merchandise sales and lessons.
Positive reception
Photo: Istockphoto/ImagineGolf