By Design - Winter 2017

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Social update
#Tbt The 54th ASGCA
Annual Meeting (New Castle,
Ireland) in May, 2000. 50+
members “crossed the
pond” to explore some of the
game’s roots.
asgca1946
This week’s CJ Cup marks the first time the PGA Tour has
visited South Korea for an officially sanctioned Tour
event. The Club at Nine Bridges designed by David Dale,
ASGCA, and GolfPlan. @asgca1946 #pgatour @pgatour
#Tbt The membership card
of ASGCA “Charter Member”
William F. Gordon from
ASGCA’s inaugural year, 1947.
Quite the collector’s item.
#tbt One of the Founding
Families of ASGCA: Robert
Trent Jones, Sr. (c); Robert
Trent Jones, Jr. (l); and Rees
Jones (r). @asgca1946
@rtj2golfdesignz
To stay up to date with the latest news and updates from ASGCA, via social media, visit:
Golf-Course-Architects/117859318239338
@ASGCA President John
Sanford visiting @GolfChannel
studios in Orlando, promoting the
great work members are doing
with @GCMorningDrive staff.
ASGCA Home Offices
@ASGCA
Shots of the day from Minnesota Valley. The finish line is
in sight! @DuininckGolf @Billy_Bunker
Bill Bergin, ASGCA
@bergingolf
Reduce annual maintenance cost at
your facility. Tips & Techniques from
ASGCA, GCSAA & GCBAA. Greens,
bunkers, turfgrass, cart paths and
more.
Searching old photos preparing for my
talk at @GIS_2018 and came across
these from 1983: me helping my Dad’s
construction company at @ElkRunGolfClub
(formerly the Jeff Elks Club) in Indiana for a
lake renovation. #TBT
ASGCA
ASGCA
asgca1946
asgca1946
ASGCA
The Cost Factor
TIPS & TECHNIQUES
for REDUCING Annual
MAINTENANCE COSTS
DESIGN
www.asgca.org
• Minimize irrigated turf
for less water,pumping,
fertilization & mowing
• Limit formal sand
bunkers,favoring less
costly landforms or
other natural features
• Utilize native landscape
plants and materials in
non-irrigated areas to
reduce water use
• Develop bunker sur-
rounds in native grass
to reduce labor time
• Create large tee decks
for reduced wear —
and less mowing time
with larger equipment
• Minimize trees in
turf areas to reduce
mowing obstacles
• Develop softer green
contours to facilitate
triplex mowers instead
of hand mowing
• Create capture ponds
to store rainwater
• Specify path materials
that reduce capital
repair & replacement
AmericanSociety of
GolfCourseArchitects
MAIN
www.
Alwaysconsiderchangesin
maintenanceprogramsafter
acarefulanalysisofshort-term
benefitvs.long-termimpact.
• Communicate the
relationship between
higher standards & cost
• Lessen bunker mainte-
nance standards;delay
replacement of sand
• Decrease mowing
frequency
• Lessen cart path
edging requirements
• Lessen top-dressing
applications
• Increase early morning/
night time maintenance
• Minimize fertilizer,pesti-
cide& other applications
• Reduce over-seeding
rates and areas
CONSTRUCTION
www.gcbaa.org
• Utilize products that
prevent washout during
grow-in
• Opt for less pine straw/
mulch during building
• Specify effective irriga-
tion control to reduce
long term water use
• Develop wider access
points to fairways for
reduced cart wear
• Build softer slopes at
tees,bunkers & greens
• Provide a path surface
& routing that will
encourage use
• Invest in drainage that
keeps the course open
Golf courses everywhere are seeking new ways to reduce operating expenses. In addition
to measures by maintenance staff, there are areas to reduce costs that involve design and con-
struction.The key is to lower operating expenses in a targeted way, preserving the positive asset
and — at the same time — keeping golfers happy.
Like all businesses, golf course owners and managers must balance short-term expenses
with longer-term expectations.While changes are often easy to justify in the short-term, the
long-term effect of change must be fully understood. Proposed changes need to be discussed
with players so they appreciate the relationship between cost and maintenance standards.
The ideas on this page are just ideas that will not apply to all facilities. Golf course decision-
makers are encouraged to explore these and other concepts with the members of the ASGCA,
GCBAA and GCSAA — golf course architects, builders and superintendents who can help you
understand trade-offs and set priorities.
For more information visit: www.asgca.org
©2010ASGCA | ImagebyRowlandHilderc.1935
GCBAA
Nathan Crace, ASGCA
@lipouts