Golf architect
A golf architect or golf course architect deals with the planning , design and construction supervision of golf courses . Michael J. Hurdzan defines the task of the golf architect as "theory and practice that are required in order to design an area in such a way that golf can be played on it."
Planning of golf courses
At the beginning of a golf course project there is a terrain analysis and feasibility study. The golf architect carries out the former himself, checking the terrain with regard to relevant properties such as the nature of the ground, strategic suitability and possible environmental restrictions. This information flows into the feasibility study, which provides an economic forecast for the construction phase and operation of the golf course. Usually the golf architect cooperates with companies or individuals who specialize in market analyzes.
This is followed by several site inspections, during which the golf architect creates an initial routing plan for the golf holes and also roughly localizes infrastructural facilities (clubhouse, parking lot). In this phase, the agronomic key data are determined more precisely in order to get an idea of the expected characteristics and costs of long-term site maintenance. In particular, the type and extent of irrigation and drainage are central issues.
At the end there is an extensive study, which can also contain several alternatives for systems of different quality and costs. In countries like the USA , different plots of land on the market are often evaluated against each other, in Central Europe, due to the denser population, it is extremely rare that more than one area is available.
Construction of golf courses
Once the decision to implement the project has been made, the golf architect prepares the construction documents. This includes detailed plans, the documents required to obtain the official approval notices and compliance with environmental requirements, as well as the final routing plan. The construction of the golf course can be put out to tender on the basis of these documents, provided the golf architect or investor does not work with a permanent construction company.
There is no fixed sequence of work for the actual construction phase, as this depends very much on the nature and structure of the site. As a rule, however, you start by marking out all the important elements of the golf course using pegs and flags. The next step is the clearing and cleaning of the site, followed by the removal of the topsoil. The drainage will then be laid and the digging and filling work to undulate the site will begin. The fine modeling of the terrain is done with an accuracy of up to ± 15 cm. After that, the removed topsoil is reapplied over a large area and the construction of tees, greens , bunkers and other manually erected elements of the golf course begins . By far the most complex is the construction of the greens, for which there are a number of different methods. The next step is to install an irrigation system and a pumping station; however, it is sometimes omitted for cost reasons, especially in areas with abundant rainfall. Finally, the greening takes place with turf and fertilizer, as well as the initial maintenance. This phase of several months is the least labor-intensive, but nonetheless the most critical of the entire project, as the golf course is then extremely vulnerable to environmental influences.
Training as golf architect
There is no international standard by which golf architects are trained. Since the professional title of architect is protected in Germany , those who practice this profession without being entered on an architect list usually refer to themselves as golf course designers. However, landscape architects in particular often specialize in the construction of golf courses. In addition, there are also autodidacts who have earned a certain reputation as professional golfers , for example , and use this to acquire golf course projects. The economically most successful representative in this area is Jack Nicklaus , in Germany Bernhard Langer should be mentioned. The job of greenkeeper also imparts relevant knowledge and in some cases serves as the basis for a career in golf architecture.
Despite the lack of an official training path, there are still a large number of institutions and programs that give young professionals a solid qualification. In Europe, the three largest associations of golf architects came together in 2000 to form the European Institute of Golf Course Architects . This organization subsequently developed a two-year training program, and a master’s degree is being planned. In the USA there is also a strong association, the American Society of Golf Course Architects , which represents around 80% of all golf architects and wants to guarantee quality through strict acceptance criteria. The Society of Australian Golf Course Architects has published the internationally renowned specialist magazine Golf Architecture since 1997 and recommends training as a landscape architect with subsequent specialization courses from private institutes for young professionals.
Reward
Renowned offices such as those of Arnold Palmer or Pete Dye must be viewed as medium-sized companies. They charge around 1.5 million euros for the design of a golf course ( design fees , i.e. without construction costs). Less known golf architects are usually between 200,000 and 300,000 euros.
Individual evidence
- ^ Michael J. Hurdzan: Golf course architecture. E. Albrecht Verlags-KG, 1999, ISBN 3-87014-090-9 .
- ^ From North Cape to Cape Town . KPMG Advisory Ltd., Hungary 2008.