Hi Brow - Low Brow: How 'low' does GCA go?

[Adam_F_Collins]

There are 'big name' designers', there are local schmoes.

How 'low' can one go on the GCA totem pole? In terms of full, 18 hole designs, what is a 'small' job for a professional architect?

What is the average win/lose per 10 proposals or bids made? I imagine that, at a certain level there's not so much competition, but that's the exception. What's the rule?

[Jeff_Brauer]

Adam,

I think the lowest someone could go is to hire an internet junkie/buff/afficiando to design their course.

Most mid range professional gca's take on all kinds of jobs.  The year is anchored by a few big jobs - either new or total renovation and much of the time is devoted to smaller fee jobs including consulting, master plans, single/multiple hole designs.  There are also the occaisional nine hole, par three and other alternative courses.  

Some even take on landscaping, park planning, land planning, etc.  Plus, there are always the routings or site feasibility studies for developers that actually get built maybe 10% of the time.

As to the formal interview process, I think the industry average might be one actual job for 7 to 15 proposals submitted and ten might be a good average.

[Lloyd_Cole]

Adam,

I think the lowest someone could go is to hire an internet junkie/buff/afficiando to design their course.

Jeff
You mean like a modern day Robert Hunter?

[Bill_McBride]

There are also the occaisional nine hole, par three and other alternative courses.

Jeff, how much of this kind of work is going around these days?

I've been thinking lately that it would be cool to be a member of a really good nine hole course.   Is the Dunes Club the only private nine holer in the country?  I know of Headwaters in Cashiers NC that's a private par 3 course.

[Adam Clayman]

I know of one designer (with pedigree) who only designed a driving range last year.