Key principles of restoration work on golf courses - by Rainer Preissmann

Results of restoration work at GC Gutach Gütermann (Founded 1827)

The number of golf players has constantly been rising in the last 15 years.
During this time competition to the traditional clubs of the pre and post-war generation in the form of courses of the highest modern design and building specifications have been developed.This has led to an increased demand for quality improvement from their own
members.

Also the up till now, loyal band of green-fee players are drifting off if the clubs can no longer offer the required standards. The consequences were reconstruction and,where possible, extensions in order to remain competitive through the qualitative adjustment to building standards,material development and design demands.

The qualitative improvements in building standards have been easily met as a result of guidelines from the USGA and FLL (Germany).

Regarding the question of design,it was felt some planners had a rather clumsy relationship with the existing course paired with a lack of respect for the work of the original architect, and this often as a result of ignorance of the traditional morphological language and strategic playing considerations. The reaction to the new competition and the noticeable increase in attractivity for members and green-fee guests is, of course,not the only motivation for reconstruction measures on the course,nor for extensions. Many older golf complexes often do not pay attention to the location situation and have been built without knowledge of the physical soil coherence in the superstructure of the grass carrying stratum together with the drainage layer and the subsoil.

Basically, the elements of the existing course have to be analysed and checked to see if and how the basic concept can be adapted.

The holes in many of the older complexes were squeezed onto a building plot without taking into consideration the topography. The playability of the golf courses was a matter of the talent of the green-keeper. They could be maintained in such a state as long as the playing frequency was tolerable and the weather conditions in tournaments played along. Fast member growth, increase in green-fee players,and the generation change in the clubs, as well as an enthusiastic user base brought the problems to the fore. At the same time,the demand for an effective usefulness was discussed and the possibility of lengthening the season through weather-proof greens,tees and fairways. Often an adaptation of the existing holes took place in accordance with the most modern design as well as from strategic necessity.

After all,the dimensions for a course and the positioning of the playing elements are not normed as in other sports, especially the obstacles. With the developments in material for golf-clubs and balls, the distances began to shrink. Bunkers which were originally only accessible to scratch golfers were suddenly irritating the weaker players and causing unnecessary delays in playing speeds. The result was that the club committee or management began to consider regeneration, renovation or even reconstruction. At the meetings with the architects, it is important to be
in agreement about the goal which is to be reached.

Clear task delegation is essential otherwise the expectations cannot usually be met. Discontentment and resultingconflicts are pre- programmed. The first step in planning, before processing problem-solving strategies, is the analytical dissection of the current situation. Included in this is research into the cause as well as distinguishing what kind of course should be reconstructed or extended and evaluating the spatial possibilities, restrictions and equally what prospects there could be.

With the alteration of the playing elements there are sources of problems in addition to the neglected location factors when originally built, the lack of knowledge about growth and the growing characteristics of trees and bushes. Too compact plantations and their unbridled development are common reasons for the poor condition of many playing elements which when in the shade suffer from too little wind movement as well as being
partly rooting through greens, tees and bunkers.

Often the only solution here is,in addition to reconstructing the playing elements, a strong hold on a power-saw to improve the conditions, as long as legal requirements do not hamper this. In the ideal case,the original artistic impression of the architect who originally planned the complex also belongs to the research.It is a big help if this architect has also formulated his thoughts. If not, a subtle nose for the original finesse is necessary in order to find an answer for the existing course.

The discussion when developing a suitable morphological language will be determined by the strategies 'adjustment'or 'fresh start'. Basically,the elements of the existing course have to be analysed and checked to see if and how the basic concept can be adapted. Alternatively can be checked if a suitable morphological language can be developed, which takes into account the new trends in golf-course construction, without creating unnecessary costs for the club.

If there is, therefore, no clear goal and no clear necessity for change, an architect has only one alternative

That one or another project has to be completely reconstructed is clear.This should, however,be the result of a carefully thought out ,objective, understandable development process and the results have to be so convincing that even the lovers of the old course see the result as an improvement. A quarrel about the pros and cons of a renovation cannot be weathered by any committee without some damage especially when the benefits are not recognisable. If there is, therefore, no cleargoal and no clear necessity for change, an architect has only one alternative - say no!