GIS: Affordable construction

Though there’s no shortage of golf courses being built in today’s market for $10 million or more, breaking the bank isn’t a prerequisite for construction.

When building an affordabe golf course, bunkers should be placed to make an impact, not just for aesthetics.

Golf course designer Richard Phelps conducted the “Designing for Affordable Golf – New Construction and Remodeling” seminar at the Golf Industry Show and stressed that quality courses can be built for $2.5 million or less.

An automatic irrigation system ($1.1 million); earthwork – 200,000 cubic yards of rough dirt plus soil ($410,000); and putting green construction – based on modified USGA recommendations ($360,000) are the three most costly portions of a budget, according to Phelps. The irrigation cost is based on a 900-head system. Phelps says parts of the Midwest, where rain is more prevalent, can get away with less ($600,000), but building in a location such as Phoenix can cost more ($1.5 million).

Finish grading, rock picking and seedbed preparation ($180,000), and seeding/sodding and fertilization ($110,000) are also big-ticket items, even on a less expensive course. Sand bunkers ($80,000) are items that can trip up a budget, according to Phelps. He suggests using few, but designing them to be an appropriate size so they can make and impact.

“You don’t want to waste a bunker,” he says. “Don’t stick it out there just because it looks good.”

Cart paths ($70,000) are the most difficult items for Phelps to deal with as an architect. He doesn’t see the need for wall-to-wall cart paths and suggests using gravel paths where applicable. The key is choosing the right material that will stay in place and not spread.

Architect fees are a hidden cost in construction. Phelps says they shouldn’t exceed 15 percent of the overall construction cost … unless paying for a signature course.

Costs can either increase or decrease depending on the site. Soil conditions, environmental constraints, topography, vegetation (heavily wooded areas can add $300,000 to $400,000 to a project) and irrigation/water quality must be taken into consideration when plotting the course.

Using a minimalistic approach to designing a course can save money when routing. By limiting the grading and clearing, an architect works with what the land has provided and saves a lot of time, effort and money by not reworking the land. For example, instead of removing or burying boulders, many architects route the course around them, adding to the aesthetics of a course.

As the golf industry continues to fight for consumers’ dollars, architects and builders are looking for ways to keep costs down while providing a quality golfing experience.