Golf course master planning with Simon Olver, course manager at Ganton Golf Club
You may have read about projects being delivered as part of your club’s master plan – but what does this document cover, who puts it together, and why is it necessary?
Master planning is an important process in the management of every golf course – from small courses with limited budgets to large clubs hosting national tournaments. At Ganton, we’re in the latter group but, while our planning must factor in big events and high expectations, the way in which the plan is created, developed and delivered is much the same in every golf club.
A golf course master plan is an overview – a wide-ranging document which details the history of the club, the work of the golf course’s architect, and plans for development. At Ganton, the aim of our five-year master plan is to return elements of the original architecture while adding a modern twist. The course has been shaped by some of golf’s greatest architects and it’s incredibly important to cherish that history while ensuring we continue to deliver a high-level tournament golf course.
Our plan has been created in consultation with our attached architect, Martin Ebert from Mackenzie & Ebert. The 200-page document includes a hole-by-hole analysis of each hole and its development over time using aerial photographs, and details on how each will be adjusted to deliver our aims.
Using these detailed drawings, a list of priorities is drawn up by the club with an annual plan to deliver major works each winter. At Ganton, this work has included creating new championship tees on the fourth and 10th holes; adding a new general play tee on the 17th to shorten the hole for club golfers; and tightening bunkering on our par fives.
From here, it’s the greenkeeping team’s task, working with contractors where necessary, to deliver the changes. We’ll prioritise work based on several factors including budgets, conditions, man hours required, and the position of the work within the overall scheme. For example, we look to host our biggest tournaments on a two-year rotation, so we minimise disruptive work in the preceding winter months and deliver large projects in the winter following a big event.
Master plans cover large periods of time, up to 10 or 20 years, and these plans should be reviewed and updated regularly.
The master plan, while incredibly detailed, does not cover the delivery of playing conditions. A separate golf course policy plan and set of standard operating procedures covers all our internal needs and serves as the go-to document for day-to-day greenkeeping.
When creating master plans and delivering on-course improvements, communication is key. Boards and committees must be able to effectively communicate to members while also facilitating communication between the greenkeeping team, consultants, and external contractors.
While the greatest plans can be written down, their delivery hinges on working together to deliver a better golf course.
