Sand Valley Golf; Design and Construction Blog: Into the last 20%

Short Project History; The Good and Bad

This blog reveals a snippet of the daily challenge of building a special golf course. The only value in something like this for future investors and golf architecture aficionados is to tell the truth; warts and all.

Before arriving at Sand Valley the project was being constructed according to the "detailed plans" of another golf architect using a "golf course construction company" that had built a number of courses. They broke ground in June 2006. After 10-months the builder had proceeded to rape 14-holes and was fired.

I have been brought in to fix the problem, using locals to build the course. In the process all plans except the general routing scheme have been abandoned. The current course is being designed in the field, seizing every opportunity to improve the course as we go. That's the value of time. You can see the project from all angles, in all conditions, you have time to think about the problems and come up with the best solutions, and then refine them with the guys doing the building... in real-time. This is how many of the great courses were constructed. It only makes sense. More time, more input, more communication produces the best possible result.

That's why Sand Valley, though it had a rough start (using the "Typical Method") should have a fantastic finish.

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Into the last 20%

The following was posted yesterday for the crew.

"So often the bulk of the construction project is performed in good order, but the "finishing off" phase is poor. Therefore, the overall perception of the project becomes tainted. Almost every contractor can get 80% of the job completed; however, it is the exceptional companies that finish the last 20% with the same dedication applied earlier on. In many cases, the contractor is anxious to get to the next job and simply does not have the staying power to finish the job properly. This really separates the top-notch building contractors from the rest of the pack... Remember, any work the contractor fails to finish properly will have to be completed by the existing maintenance staff. These added tasks take unnecessary time and money out of the budget."

Couldn't be more true... so guys... let's get it done once and get it done right.

Somewhere along the way I picked up the quote above, but can't find the source. Apologies to whoever it's lifted from... but it's 100% a bullseye.

Tony Ristola
agolfarchitect.com
+1 (909) 581 0080

Tony Ristola

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Short Project History; The Good and Bad

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Into the last 20%