By John Ashworth, John Ashworth Associates

We worked with Aecom on a Warranted Investment Appraisal of a proposed indoor golf arena in Holland. The design is in the shape of a golf club driver. A hotel, club facilities, retail and dining are located at the shaft end of the driver. The head is domed and covers 14,000 sq.m. of synthetic grass including practice pitching and chipping greens, bunkers and putting greens. 20 golf simulators and 28 indoor range bays also are included in the design.

Our task involved an assessment of the market for indoor golf, both locally and internationally, and quantification of visitor demand in terms of numbers and spend. We drew on examples within Holland and in the rest of Europe. Our findings fed into a model constructed by Aecom, through which the team were able to evaluate the level of capital investment which could be justified by estimated future streams of income and to propose changes to the concept where that would lead to improved income levels.

By Howard Swan, Swan Golf Designs

Swan Golf Designs has become a Greenkeeper Training Committee (GTC) Quality Assured Training Provider, building on a long term aim to comminicate the role that golf course design has in improving the game within the UK.

SGD, primarily through its Principal Architect Howard Swan, has for many years shared experience and knowledge through seminars, workshops and case studies on golf course design best principles and renovation work. These have included events for the English Golf Union (now England Golf), the Golf Club Managers’ Association, the FEGGA and BIGGA. Most recently, Howard Swan ran two oversubscribed golf course renovation seminars at BIGGA’s Harrogate Week, covering topics such as bunker reconstruction, golf course safety and how to communicate renovation projects to members.

The GTC and SGD are now preparing a series of seminars throughout the UK, beginning with a Spring Renovation Seminar using the renovation project at Ripon City Golf Club as an ongoing case study.

By Howard Swan, Swan Golf Designs

Strengthening existing relationships has always been as important to Swan Golf Designs as building new connections. Whilst new projects are always met with enthusiasm, we work hard to ensure this is not at the expense of our existing and valued clients. This is borne out by the fact we have renewed several long term projects over the previous twelve months, such as at Ely City Golf Club and Bentley Golf Club which have had links with Swan Golf Designs since the early 1970s.

2012 is set to begin in similar vein, with SGD returning to work with Stoke-by-Nayland, Saffron Walden and Brickendon Grange golf clubs on improving their courses and extending their facilities.

By Howard Swan, Swan Golf Designs

Five years on from Swan Golf Designs’ initial golf course audit Ripon City Golf Club has implemented the next phase in the improvement of their course.

The 2011 works have included the rebunkering of the 15th and 2nd holes, introducing new fairway and greenside hazards to improve the playing strategy, modification of moundwork to reduce maintenance costs, and the extension of the 2nd green to offer new pin positions on the two-tier green. The greenkeeping team, led by Richard Spensley, has carried out the works in-house over the past two months under the guidance of SGD’s William Swan.

This fourth phase of renovation builds upon previous improvements to the course and its landscape setting, which has now seen enhancements to seven holes alongside a comprehensive rolling programme of tree and grassland management

By Howard Swan, Swan Golf Designs

Forty years after it was laid out by Alex Swan, the course at Bentley Golf Club, Essex, is once again being worked on by the Swan family; Howard and William have recently undertaken and submitted an audit of the course. It looks at the redevelopment of the par-3 17th hole and will help the club formulate a ten year plan for the overall improvement of the course.

Building on his experience of designed and building coursing with Henry Cotton, Alex took on the challenging site at Bentley in the 1960s which was situated just a few miles from his home in Brentwood. Since its opening in 1972, the course has stood the test of time well and now thrives as a private members’ club in a tough market. However, advances in technique and technology now mean that the layout requires updating to remain a test for golfers of all ability.

The Existing 17th at Bentley

The Proposed 17th at Bentley

The work to the 17th has already begun and encompasses a raised green with new bunkering, drainage and irrigation. Howard Swan will oversee the implementation of his design supported by Bentley’s experienced Course Manager, Mark Stopps. John Greasley Ltd has been chosen to execute the construction, with the new hole due to return to play in Spring 2012.

Whilst the new 17th takes shape, SGD are working with the golf club to formulate a comprehensive renovation plan to be implemented over coming years. Much of the focus is on rejuvenating the bunkers, relocating some to take into account the effects of changes in playing equipment and improving their appearance throughout the course. In addition, anassessment of Bentley’s landscape setting has been made as, having benefitted from 40 years of maturation, a new approach is required to ensure the golf course and its natural environment continue to benefit each other.

William Swan adds:
“My father and I are particularly happy to be revisiting my grandfather’s work at Bentley to continue the Swan family’s connection with the Club and course. The quality of the original design has shown through over the four decades with few alterations to the layout and with the course ranking as one of the best in the country. We now have the chance to raise the bar to make it even better and to enhance the Club’s vision for the next decade.”

By Howard Swan, Swan Golf Designs

Swan Golf Designs is pleased to announce a new partnership in China. As of 1st July 2011 SGD will be represented in China and East Asia by Andrews Times Golf Management (ATGM), based in Shenzhen.

Raymond Tang, Managing Director of ATGM, will act as SGD’s representative in China, assisting with the promotion, marketing, project sourcing and client liaison. Swan Golf Designs will use the ATGM offices in Shenzhen as a Chinese base from which it can carry out their project design and management duties.

Since first working in China in 2004, providing designs and consultancy for courses in Zhengzhou, Shanghai and Guangzhou, SGD has been able to broaden its reach throughout Asia. Now, with the support of ATGM, the team at SGD is looking towards a larger presence in the fast moving East Asian market. Already projects in Hainan, in Chongqing, in Hefei await the collaboration.

SGD will offer a turnkey professional service for both new projects and the renovation and upgrading of existing courses. This will include, through FIRSTGOLFChina, the design and development of small and compact facilities which will act as learning centres, both for teaching and practising the game and vocational training of golf industry skills.

We are looking forward to seeing our business relationship with Raymond Tang and his group flourish as we return to one of the most dynamic markets in golf development. The opportunities for golf in China are yet to be fully understood, and SGD intends to be at the forefront of their realisation.

By Howard Swan, Swan Golf Designs Ltd

Kingswood Golf & Country Club, Surrey, has become more difficult following the construction of new tees to extend the par-5 14th hole . With the James Braid layout due to host qualifying for the British Seniors Open in July, Kingswood is set to provide a stiff test of skill for those wishing to play in the main event at nearby Walton Heath.

Additional land was purchased to make the hole extension possible, with SGD designing the new tees and gaining planning permission earlier this year. Golf course construction specialists Speedcut Contractors were employed to put SGD’s design on the ground and, with time of the essence, the entire process took less than two weeks from breaking ground to the completion of turfing.

Previously the shortest par-5 on the course at less than 500 yards, the 14th marks the start of a three-hole stretch known by the members as ‘Murder Mile’. All three holes play slightly uphill into the prevailing wind, with each providing a different but exacting challenge. Now, with the 14th becoming tougher still, the journey home will become all the more testing.

Swan Golf Designs has been working at Kingswood since 2008, having already completed a bunker renovation programme as well as modifications to the 16th green complex. Now, with the new tee in place, the golf course measures just short of 7000 yards.

By Brian Pierson, Pierson Golf

GCA Member Brian D Pierson has recently completed the construction of a new reservoir for Royal Ashdown Forest Golf Club working with the design and specification of Irrigation consultants 2iC.

This is the third reservoir Brian has completed and recognises not only the importance but the potential need for water harvesting and conservation if golf courses are to maintain high standards of presentation during drought conditions.

By Howard Swan, Swan Golf Designs Ltd

Kingswood Golf & Country Club, Surrey, has become more difficult following the construction of new tees to extend the par-5 14th hole . With the James Braid layout due to host qualifying for the British Seniors Open in July, Kingswood is set to provide a stiff test of skill for those wishing to play in the main event at nearby Walton Heath.

Additional land was purchased to make the hole extension possible, with SGD designing the new tees and gaining planning permission earlier this year. Golf course construction specialists Speedcut Contractors were employed to put SGD’s design on the ground and, with time of the essence, the entire process took less than two weeks from breaking ground to the completion of turfing.

Previously the shortest par-5 on the course at less than 500 yards, the 14th marks the start of a three-hole stretch known by the members as ‘Murder Mile’. All three holes play slightly uphill into the prevailing wind, with each providing a different but exacting challenge. Now, with the
14th becoming tougher still, the journey home will become all the more testing.

Swan Golf Designs has been working at Kingswood since 2008, having already completed a bunker renovation programme as well as modifications to the 16th green complex. Now, with the new tee in place, the golf course measures just short of 7000 yards.

The Golf Consultants’ Association, with some 10 members specialising in a wide range of expertise in the golf industry – from architecture, to leisure and operation consultancy, from project management to market research and financial advice – has elected ROHAN BARNETT of GRN Consulting as its new Chairman. He will be supported in an Executive by John Ashworth and Howard Swan.

GCA’s objective in the next twelve months is to expand its member base to specialist consultants in other fields of the golf industry not yet represented in the Association…irrigation, greenkeeping, the professional game and the like…and to organise educational initiatives with other administrative bodies such as the Owners’ Association, the R and A and the Golf Unions, as well as national and local governments.

The new Chairman adds

“I am delighted to have been charged with the responsibility in leading the Association for the next year and shall strive to advance the objectives we have in making, individually and collectively, a greater contribution to our industry. It may be difficult times presently but I am sure that in our varied yet coordinated fields we can engineer value and excellent returns for our clients.”

GCA intends to cooperate with OGRO / GRN and UKGCOA to host a Conference next spring.