Shaping the golf course
Modern day equipment used to produce detailed shaping of features on golf courses. Here pictured at Carnoustie 18th
Prev: Layouts
Feasibility studies, drawings and specifications are produced to high degrees of
accuracy and topographical detail. The Hawtree’s involvement in and understanding
of these related subjects ensures proper coordination. With the building up of an
extensive design and turfgrass science library, and with the expansion in the resource
base of the practice, the Hawtree’s have with great determination gone down the
path of identifying and creating a professional, technical and artistic discipline
of golf course architecture.
Projects are undertaken in clearly defined stages:
FEASIBILITY STUDY
This will depend upon the difficulty of the site and can range from a preliminary
layout plan with costings to a much more elaborate study of the site, including
an analysis of the landscape, geology, soils and drainage, the constraints upon
design and construction, methods of building, a full estimate of cost, and a programme
of work.
PROJECT
A full set of working drawings is produced, for site clearance, earthmovement, drainage,
preparation and seeding, and tree planting as well as detailed contoured drawings
of each green, tee, and bunker. Specifications and Bills of Quantities are concise,
with contract documents prepared according to ICE or FIDIC conditions of contract.
SUPERVISION
This can be geared to the location of the site and the resources and requirements
of the client. The range is comprehensive from full-time project manager at one
end, to periodic visits, with the client organizing day to day administration,
at the other end. The practice nevertheless emphasizes the need for good supervision
and will rarely undertake a design-only service. Plans are prepared in considerable
detail, but the finishing work, the contouring of the greens for example, will invariably
be overseen on site.
MAINTENANCE
The first years of maintenance are critical to the future of the golf course. An
agronomist’s support document will be issued to the client but the practice sees
the need for much greater involvement in this stage with regular visits from consultant
greenkeepers and agronomists for a period of up to five years.
