Distressed Golf Course Evaluations

 Golf construction communications, Uncategorized  No Responses »
Sep 232011
 

Savvy investors are purchasing many distressed golf course properties. The trade saying “only the third one in makes money in golf” holds true just like it did back in the early 1990s.

Golf operations consultants identify best practices to improve cash flow but they don’t have the skills to identify current golf course structure. Potential golf course buyers should contact an experienced golf construction consultant to perform an asset analysis to identify inherent golf course construction deficiencies.

Drainage is a prime consideration. Continue reading »

Print Friendly
 Posted by Ray Richard at 11:58 am

Putting course accolades

 Golf construction communications  No Responses »
Sep 032011
 

While wedding guests sampled caviar and champagne, I couldn’t keep my eyes off the bordering putting course. Newcastle Golf Club overlooks Seattle and Puget sound. Two public 18-hole golf courses surround the stunning mountaintop clubhouse. August weddings in the rainy Seattle area are popular, and this day was perfect.

While friends pointed out distant Olympic Mountains and the Space Needle, I looked down on the putting course. Continue reading »

Print Friendly
 Posted by Ray Richard at 6:34 am

Why Personalize Golf Design?

 Golf construction communications  No Responses »
Jun 152011
 

As U.S. Open week begins at Congressional the Rees Jones renovations seem to generate personal attacks based on his design product. Golf course architectural buffs take their subject seriously and when they don’t like the aesthetics they blame the golf architect’s DNA and personality.

Rees doesn’t adhere to the Doak, Hanse, Shackelford bushy bunker philosophy. Continue reading »

Print Friendly
 Posted by Ray Richard at 12:13 pm

Golf Construction Winter Proposals

 Golf construction communications  No Responses »
Feb 202011
 

Abstract: Cold winter days with limited TV sports are fine times to consider upcoming golf course construction projects. Golf renovation projects begin with a concept and individual effort.

In late February, Northern golfers sit in their easy chairs reading golf magazines while dreaming of humidity and the click made by a well-struck balata golf ball. Why not skip the seed catalog and develop a course renovation summary for the upcoming season? Continue reading »

Print Friendly
 Posted by Ray Richard at 9:16 am

Golf course construction staffing

 Golf construction communications  No Responses »
Feb 112011
 

Abstract: Use the NOAS method to identify good candidates for golf course work

Finding good golf course help involves networking and analysis. Face it, golf course work is dirty and you may not make an easy million doing it (Unless your name is Trump). Golf course workers must like fresh air and more fresh air. An affinity for grubby clothes and worn work boats also helps. In fact, this sounds like me many years ago.

I entered the golf course industry because I didn’t want to work in an office and I wanted to play golf often. Well, after 300 golf course projects I spend too much time in an office with no time playing the game.

When looking for golf course construction staff I use the NOAS method: Continue reading »

Print Friendly
 Posted by Ray Richard at 3:52 pm

Golf Project Closeouts

 Golf construction communications  No Responses »
Dec 232010
 

Abstract: Many know how to start a golf construction project, but few know how to complete it. Avoid project completion arguments by communicating with the contractor during construction.

Many golf construction projects start smoothly and finish poorly. On many occasions, I’ve seen the first work day smile evolve into unpleasant project completions. Continue reading »

Print Friendly
 Posted by Ray Richard at 11:32 am

Golf Construction Contract Management

 Golf construction communications, Golf construction specifications  No Responses »
Nov 072010
 

Abstract: Skilled golf course construction managers know what is in each contract. Use this information to mange construction scope and contractor payments.

Contract management is an important part of efficient golf construction. Construction managers should take an active role in preconstruction contract language. When the owner and contractor sign the contract, the construction manager will live by the contract documents.

Golf course contracts come in many formats. I’ve used the following: Continue reading »

Print Friendly
 Posted by Ray Richard at 8:53 am  Tagged with: ,

Golf Blog Links

 Golf construction communications  No Responses »
Oct 012010
 

Abstract: Several golf blogs link to Richardgolf.com. Users will find succinct golf business information by clicking a link.

Linking, or connecting, opens doors to deep golf course blogging.  Blogrolls, or lists, contain connections to other websites that contain relevant information. You will see a blogroll on the Richardgolf.com cover page, on the lower right side, below the fold. Continue reading »

Print Friendly
 Posted by Ray Richard at 5:48 am  Tagged with:

Golf Course Work Limits-Irrigation

 Golf bunker construction, Golf construction communications, Golf construction specifications, Golf fairway construction, Golf tee construction  No Responses »
Sep 112010
 

Abstract: Before starting a golf course renovation project, identify irrigation system impacts. Contractors need mainline locations and elevations before starting work.

Golf course renovation planning begins by identifying all irrigation components within the proposed work limits. Superintendents know their system best, so they should manage this process. Some like to send this task to the contractor but this may result in irrigation disasters because they may not know all the specifics of your system. Identify mainline and lateral lines with hand digging or a wire tracker, available for rent from established irrigation suppliers. Continue reading »

Print Friendly
 Posted by Ray Richard at 6:58 am  Tagged with: , , , ,

Golf Course Material Testing

 Golf bunker construction, Golf construction communications, Golf construction specifications  No Responses »
Aug 222010
 

Abstract: When in doubt, always test golf course construction materials before purchase. When not in doubt, test anyway to confirm salesman’s rhetoric.

Soil testing provides cheap insurance. I remember a big bunker renovation at a private club. The project involved rebuilding 40 bunkers. The owner decided to purchase (and assume the responsibility for quality control) all bunker sand. We installed many feet of bunker drainage on the bunker floor, and we made sure our slope laser worked. The bunker forms looked great and we installed the sand at a uniform six-inch depth. A few months later, seven bunkers had poor drainage and it wasn’t our fault. Continue reading »

Print Friendly
 Posted by Ray Richard at 7:05 am  Tagged with: , ,
 Older Entries
© 2011 Richardgolf.com Suffusion theme by Sayontan Sinha