COURSE AUDITS

Many of the renovation projects described in this newsletter have originated from course audits undertaken by DWGD, the overall aim of the audit being to produce a description of the course's condition, strategy, layout and playability.

Following discussion with the club and its officers, the audit can then be translated into a long-term plan.    Increasingly many forward thinking clubs are realising that the proper way forward to advance their course is to obtain service and advice from independent qualified experienced golf course architects and agronomists.

In the past, many clubs have been altered or "improved" by a succession of greens chairmen or even captains whose aim, during their period of office, appears to be to create a memento of that period in effecting changes to the layout.    Often these changes are then reversed by following officials, leading to a situation in many clubs where bunkers are created then filled in a few years later, paths moved and changed, and a multitude of course alterations undertaken without the benefit of a long-term goal.

Prior to undertaking any alterations, it is essential to have a long-term aim and whether a 5, 10 or even, on some courses, a 25 year programme of alterations and improvements, so that every alteration is part of that goal.

DWGD have been involved in many programmes, starting with initial course audits based on a detailed 'hole by hole' inspection of the existing layout.

Many clubs, lacking financial resources to undertake the work, either quickly or by outside contractors, have determined to undertake the work 'in house', often using greenkeeping staff during the quieter winter months, with the work being undertaken over a 3 or 5 year period.

Conversely, other clubs have decided to make the alterations during one winter, thereby reducing the time of disruption and bringing the changes into play quickly, although this approach does normally require the use of an experienced golf course contractor

DWGD have considerable expertise in putting together the necessary documentation to allow competitive tenders for such work to be obtained from contractors, including the provision of detailed working drawings, a full specification, and often a bill of quantities for the work.    In this way, members can be confident that the work will be undertaken to the standards required, to an agreed cost within budget and on programme.

FROM NORTH TO SOUTH ... AND EAST TO WEST

DWGD is well positioned to assist golf clubs throughout the country and, in recent months, as well as the clubs described in this newsletter, have provided audits at courses as far apart as Liberton GC (Edinburgh) and Reigate Hill GC in Surrey, as well as for Milford Haven GC on the south-west extremity of Wales, to Faversham GC (Kent) in the extreme south-east corner of England.