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where do i fit in?
understanding what a person on the golf course redesign committee does
Course Design Philosophy. The Big Picture: Knowing the committee’s philosophy on course design can give insights into how they plan on balancing playability with challenges, their approach to course aesthetics, and how they integrate the course with the surrounding community and environment. And eventually ‘they’ will become ‘us’.
Maintenance and Upkeep Plans: How the committee plans for the regular maintenance and long-term upkeep of the golf course is vital. This includes turf management, water usage, and handling of natural elements like trees and water bodies. Yes we all want more trees, complete golf cart accessibility and perfect greens year round but are we willing to pay for it?
Below is an example of part of the process at a recent renovation at Pawleys Plantation.
Community Involvement and Feedback: This is where people like me come in. I am part of a large panel of golfers and non-golfers who care about the future of our golf courses. We all put heavier emphasis on different aspects of the golf course. For example a low handicap golfer may want holes to become more challenging while a high handicapper may want to see distances from tee to green get shorter. A non-golfer may be most concerned with keeping the aesthetics as beautiful as possible.
who picks up the tab?
Financial Management: Since maintaining and upgrading a golf course can be costly, understanding how the committee manages its finances, including budgeting, fees, and any special assessments for homeowners, is important. Robson Ranch is a resort course a.k.a semi-private, a.k.a. public with memberships, a.k.a. non-equity club. The point is that the tab is being picked up by our HOA Reserve (in this case).
Other clubs like ours may not, necessarily do it this way.
Impact on Property Values: Understanding how the golf course and its management affect property values in the community can be important for your investment as a homeowner, obviously. I personally don’t just want a golf course; I want a good, challenging golf course with variety and beauty.
Pictured left is Wildhorse GC North 9…all 3 courses at Wildhorse have a GREAT finishing hole!
what makes a golf course memorable?
Other than having your best round or a hole in one, what do we remember about a place we’ve played golf? For me…
- Overall Feel. From the time I enter the facility, I am taking in how it makes me feel. I LOVE a club that welcomes me with a smile, lets me know where things are and makes sure I know they are happy I am there. We are, after all giving them our hard-earned money!
- Price. This is really relative! Playing in East Texas at Links at Lands End for $75 (or $39 with a member) far outdid playing in Puerto Vallarta for $225 https://www.golflakefork.com/
- Course Condition. Sometimes you get what you pay for and sometimes courses just rest on their name or reputation. I love a course that still earns your money and gives a hoot about their tees, greens and fairways. Having the bathrooms tended to regularly and a place to literally grab a hot dog or candy bar are all really important.
- Scenery, wildlife, fresh air. You know it!!
- Coooooold Beer or a good glass of wine when I’m done!