From Concept to Opening :: Our Golf Course Construction Process
The construction of the course is an exciting and often challenging time. golfmarnoch will manage or support this process working with the very best in the industry to ensure the most accurate, efficient and expedient course construction. Once the master plan is agreed we would generally provide the following construction plans and services: Construction PLANSClearance and staking plan - To establish fairway centre lines, green centres and tees. We will provide a clear specification for clearance and protection of existing vegetation in order to control the works. Setting out of the course would be carried out by competent surveyors working to our 3D co-ordinates from the master plan. This will ensure that the course length will be as we envisaged. When on site we use hand held laser measuring devices to constantly check the measurements or minor alterations during the works. View sample plan Initial grading plan - Basic shaping of the golf course areas. Generally we would provide this on a severe site where significant earth movement is required with a 'muck shift' contactor is required prior to the golf course being fine shaped. Detailed grading plan - A more detailed plan with contours at 1m intervals showing exactly the placement of the materials for the formation of the golf course. This work must be carried out by a golf course contractor or experienced shapers. This plan would contain all fairway, practice area, mounding and water feature details. Green details - A contoured drawing would be provided for each green complex, including the bunkers on the surrounds and approaches. The green drawing would show pin positions and internal drains/connections to fairway systems. These plans are normally produced at 1:200 with contours at 0.25m intervals. Tee complex and bunker details These drawings can be produced at larger scale if not too complicated so they may be contained within the detailed grading plans at 1:500. Alternatively, they can be provided with greater detail at 1:200. Establishment/grassing plans - These would show the various grass types for the greens, tees, fairways and other zones. With the various grass varieties for turfing, sprigging, traditional seeding or overseeding even for the development of heather or wildflower areas. Drainage plan - The detailed golf course drainage system for all playing areas, linking greens, tees and bunkers within the mains/fairway system. We currently use MicroStation and Geopack to help us in the design of our drainage schemes and outside hydrologists if necessary. Our specialist software can tell us where the surface water will flow over our reshaped landform. When developing the drainage of the course we consider not just how to drain that water away, but also how best to use that water for the creation of ponds, ditches or lakes within the site. We have in the past resolved drainage problems by introducing water holding features to store water on site for ecological reasons which periodically flood and in doing so control the flow of water through and off site. Landscape concept plan and detailed planting plans as a qualified landscape architect golfmarnoch can provide the landscaping/planting strategy and planting plans. We can provide reports on the proposed landscaping of the site based upon the existing site information to ensure that the proposed course 'fits' within the existing landscape. The landscape strategy plan would contain basic zoning of planting around the course including the details around the clubhouse. The planting plan contains the exact numbers and types of species to be planted and how they would be planted and maintained. View sample plan Irrigation plan - We would liaise with the irrigation installers for all the necessary plans and specifications for the installation of this system. We would suggest that an independent irrigation specialist is employed to design the irrigation system but alternatively a design-build system can be detailed by an established irrigation company. Circulation and buggy tracks - Detailed drawings can be developed to show the vehicular access into and out of the site, buggy tracks, maintenance routes, pedestrian footpaths and bridges. We would discuss and provide details for the surfacing of these areas to ensure they are suitable for their use (perhaps non-slip surfaces) and the colour and style fits with the proposed concept. We recommend that these are constructed as part of the main construction programme and not afterwards. View sample plan Construction details - Drawings as required for bridges, walls, steps etc. Construction DOCUMENTATION & SERVICESSpecifications - Construction procedure requirements and bills of quantities for the construction and maintenance/growing-in of the golf course up to the opening day. Tender evaluation - We would assist our client in reviewing the bids received from contractors to ensure that the best or most competent (not necessarily the cheapest) contactor is chosen for the works. Construction period - Our role during the construction period will be as follows: Monitor construction progress with regular site visits - To regularly visit the site to meet with the contractor, inspect the progress and quality of work and to determine that the work is being performed in accordance with Contract Documents, meets the necessary specifications and follows the programme of works and timetable. golfmarnoch believes that as much time as possible should be allowed for regular time on site. We would make at least one visit every two to four weeks for two-three days per visit to continue throughout the construction period, together with a schedule of visits during the growing-in period and through to opening for play. Client Liaison - Consult with our Client with regard to the progress of the work - It is important that the relationship between client-architect-contractor is clear. Contract administration - Administer terms of the construction contract and provide information to other consultants for the preparation of financial reports. Authorise payments to the contractor and issue certificates for regular payments, release of any retention money and issue final completion certificates. Testing - As appropriate, instruct sample taking and carrying out of tests on materials, components, techniques and workmanship and examine the results of such tests, whether on or off site. Construction SPECIALISTS & CONSULTANTSConstruction COMPLETIONOn completion of the construction of a Golf Course Project we would recommend that as the course architects we be retained after the course opening for a period of time, usually five years. We would advise that during this time we make a least one, possibly two visits per year to ensure that the course matures and is managed in accordance with our original concepts to maintain the very highest standards and to ensure that we establish a golf course that will be longstanding, well maintained and thoroughly enjoyable to play. A successfully planned, designed and constructed project will create an easily manageable and hugely enjoyable course to play. |
