Updates

I will be updating the blog - www.brandenwilburn.com with several new project updates and a more indepth look at John's original article over the next few days. Come check it out and post your thoughts!

Well, It has been a crazy few weeks! I am just now getting back into the groove at the office. Projects have been all over the place, a few new things have come up and a few things have slowed down. I will post some project updates later tonight and tomorrow, but I want to post an interesting piece from my business partner, John Ribes.

John has some ideas about how golf course and landscape design intertwine. He has put together this small bit of “discussion” article from a longer article that he had published in Golf Course Management several years ago (you will see from the first paragraph!). I will try to get links to the full article posted later tonight so you can see where he was going with it.
I am interested what others believe of this topic. I have been involved in many discussions with architects, players, and developers regarding the need for the “forgotten element”.

GOLF COURSE LANDSCAPE

‘The Forgotten Element’

A Cost Effective Landscape ProgramFor Golf Course Landscape

“The development of a long range landscape program consistent with the reputation, imagery, and environment of a golf course is vital to the preservation and management of an established course”

John Ribes, FASLA Golf Design Studio llc - Naples, Florida Office

‘A Golf Course Has Two Landscapes.’

The first is the existing site and all of its natural and man-created features. The second is the man applied landscape planting which is often not planned, and may not be related to the golf course design. Because this landscape planting is secondary in priority, it often grows arbitrarily, becomes an overwhelming maintenance task and ultimately a detriment to the course.

It is the applied landscape planting on existing courses that we direct our services. It is the landscape planting, inappropriately selected and placed, and often allowed to grow beyond control, that impacts the golf course playability and its’ management. This landscape can be easily managed and adjusted to work with the natural and man-created features of the golf environment. A successful implementation of this service will reduce the maintenance cost of the course, reinforce the intended golf course design, compliment the environment and preserve the course, itself.

‘Our process serves as an important tool for the golf course management team.’

It provides a way to integrate the two landscapes with the golf course design. The result is a long range plan for protecting and preserving the integrity of the course. The following are considerations and issues which are addressed in the process.

Enhance and accentuate the golf course playability.

Reinforce the golf course design.

Develop and maintain consistency in the landscape of the golf course.

Respect and restore, where feasible, the original golf course architectural design characteristics.

Respond to existing conditions and environmental concerns.

Retain and utilize the beauty of the existing vegetation.

Retain maintenance as a top criteria in all design decisions.

Commitment to the design element of scale appropriate for a golf course.

Outline three distinct levels (zones) of planting. (priority, supplemental, and beautification)

Define, secure and protect the golf environment from peripheral impacts and influences.

Provide potentials for reduction in turf grass maintenance.

Create and objective functional and indigenous planting palette by utilizing a matrix rating system.

Establish peak landscape cycles relating to landscape dynamics and maturity.

Develop a long range budgetary program incorporating efficient cost effective criteria.

Provide continuity through greens’ committee evolutions.

Aid programming and interaction with various golf course planning committees.

Give a set of guidelines which will provide a clear direction and understanding of the landscape aspects of the golf course management.

‘A Golf Course Is a Valuable Asset.’

The existing site, all of its natural and man-created features and the applied landscape planting is an integral part of the make up of a golf course. It is critical to the reputation, imagery and management of the golf venue. To maintain and sustain a desired reputation over time, the golf course must address a multitude of changes and influences through technological advancements.

‘The applied landscape has been the forgotten element,’

Often left to grow arbitrarily. In assessing established courses one can easily identify the forgotten landscape as an element that detrimentally impacts playability and management of the course. The landscape architectural service of a master landscape program offers a professional solution which will assist in the restoration, preservation, and management of the course. A good landscape program will protect the asset and enhance the quality of golf both in playability and visually over the life of the course.Often left to grow arbitrarily. In assessing established courses one can easily identify the forgotten landscape as an element that detrimentally impacts playability and management of the course. The landscape architectural service of a master landscape program offers a professional solution which will assist in the restoration, preservation, and management of the course. A good landscape program will protect the asset and enhance the quality of golf both in playability and visually over the life of the course.