Course Development

[Ryan Hillenbrand]

Hoping to tap into the knowledge base of our contributors.

If one were to remodel an existing 18 hole course, without significantly changing the routing, minimal irrigation, just good basic golf - what would something like that cost? Obviously the choice of the architect would vary the price. But lets assume it was done by the type of designers we favor on this site.

Furthermore - what would the maintenance budget be, assuming not maintaining a course to perfect green and lush conditions?

The course would cover 6500 yards, 100 acres.

Thanks for your input.

[Tom_Doak]

Ryan:

Your question is just a bit too vague.  A lot depends on the soils. 

If you're not changing the routing, what ARE you assuming the remodel will do? 
Build 18 new greens to USGA specs, or leave the old ones?  [That's a $1 million question right there.] 
Clear trees?  [Five or six figures depending on scope.] 
Rebuild / modify all the bunkering?  [Depends on how many and how big, but figure $6k to $10k per bunker.]   

And can you really do all of this work without fixing a lot of irrigation that gets torn up in the process?

[Ryan Hillenbrand]

Thanks Tom - all good questions I wouldn't know to ask.

The course is in Missouri, where zoysia is the prevalent turf.

While the routing is good the course is in bad shape - typical  parkland public course with a $25 green fee. I envision a walking only course with a minimalist design and natural looking features - a Dismal River/Sand Hills approach albeit not with sandy soil.

Would you need USGA spec greens if you weren't concerned with hosting tournaments?

[Adrian_Stiff]

somewhere between $0.01 and £10000000. I suggest you go for the lower figure.

Seriously its very difficult to employ an architect and not suggest change. Its 99% lilkely he will see a better routing and ways to make things better. The equation is always dependent on what your budget is and the assessment of how much for how much dollar can the architect make the improvement.

I think the best way is to say how much (in total you have to spend).

[Tyler Kearns]

Would you need USGA spec greens if you weren't concerned with hosting tournaments?

Ryan,

Rebuilding the greens shouldn't have anything to do with hosting tournaments.  Are they interesting & fun to play?  Are they in bad shape due to poor draining soils (assuming they are built with native soils)?  If so, they rebuilding to USGA spec. or California method would help alleviate such problems in the future.  If the contours are good, but the drainage is bad, then rebuilding in place using the above methods is cheaper than rebuilding from scratch which alters the green surrounds (add shaping, topsoil, sod costs).

TK