23 Oct 2023
Getting more from what we have...
Renovations can be difficult to define – they involve both large and small changes, encompassing projects with substantial budgets as well as those driven solely by the in-house staffs’ time and effort. What these course improvement projects often share is the intention to improve and generate greater whole value and productivity from the land – making it work harder.
Any facility considering a 'renovation' project is typically setting out to address a problem or improve upon a situation. Going back to 1764, when The Old Course in St Andrews transitioned from 22- to 18-holes, golf courses have been undergoing incremental improvements. These course adaptations have been carried out to keep pace with the evolving nature of the sport - adjusting to increasing swing speeds or changes to the ball's performance and its ability to cover ever greater distances.
Renovating the Old Course 1930 – Image courtesy of the University of St Andrews Library. Image GMC -11-8-2
Today, alongside a rapidly changing sport, other external forces are exerting influence on golf facilities worldwide. Growing time constraints on individuals, rising operating costs, pressures and regulations on natural resources, and an increasingly competitive market are collectively driving a fresh surge of investments and innovations in course improvements. These factors have led to more facilities investing in advancements, technologies, and upgrades, while also diversifying their golf offerings.
Mesa Country Club, AZ removed overseeding, reduced water demand, and changed turf type to cope with increasing water pressures. Image courtesy of Andy Staples ASGCA & Mesa Country Club
As part of the strategic planning for these investments, there is a need to bolster the facility's resilience against these new external pressures. Incorporating resilience against elements beyond a facility's control is now at the core of many investment choices. Global pandemics, increasingly frequent extreme weather events, and the strain of living costs are beyond individual control, but these risks can be mitigated by diversifying businesses, securing greater control over sustainable water and energy supplies, minimizing reliance on external supply chains where feasible, and enriching the local environments.
Golf It! in Glasgow, Scotland, owned by The R&A, changed the course from 18 to 9 holes and added more ways to play the game. Image courtesy of Scott Macpherson.
For us, it is exciting to be able to share the latest industry examples of renovation work in this new publication as inspiration, with guidance and support for facilities at the start of their project journey.
All contemporary course improvement projects should be fostering a stronger drive towards incorporating resilience and innovation into the golf course, for the future.
We are excited to be collaborating with courses all over the world that are embarking on a renovation project to improve their course and deliver associated benefits that improve efficiency, reduce operating costs, enhance their environments, minimise their impact and connect them to their community better.
Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, Abu Dhabi changed its water source to treated wastewater and transitioned its grass type in 2020. Image courtesy of Troon International
This increasing work we are seeing with course renovations is allowing the industry to shine a spotlight on the good work being done by architects, engineers, and construction companies towards building a more stable and sustainable future for courses across the globe.
Through transparency and our collaboration, there is an ability to proudly and credibly recognise and promote this work - and its long-term benefits. Providing the ownership, golfers, community, and wider stakeholders a view of the responsible, measured and professional decisions being taken by teams to deliver more for golfers, nature and society.
To find out more about the ways in which we can collaborate on your next renovation plans then get in touch hello@sustainable.golf or read more at https://sustainable.golf/developments/renovations
