Golf Course Renovation 101

Parks & Recreation, June, 1999 by Hal Phillips

"The work in Cedar Rapids will be very similar to the work we did at Schaumburg," said Mike Benkusky, a senior architect with LGD and a native of Marion, Iowa. "The four Cedar Rapids courses do about 200,000 rounds each year -- all in a seven-month golf season. That's a lot of play, and they need a lot of work.

"Basically, we're going to improve these layouts by making them better able to accommodate that sort of traffic, in addition to adding aesthetics," Benkusky continued. "That means fixing the many drainage problems at all four courses. We'll be adding quite a few sand bunkers, too. At Twin Pines, for example, there isn't a single bunker. We'll rebuild most of the tees and greens on all 63 holes, and we'll be adding more hazards -- be they sand or water."

As was the case during the 60 renovation projects it has conducted since 1984, the Lohmann team will work closely with the presiding golf course superintendents in Cedar Rapids. All four -- K. Chauncey Barry at Ellis Park, Jeff Schmidt at Twin Pines, David Roe at Squaw Creek, and Victor Kies at Jones Park -- are members of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, a prerequisite for employment in the Cedar Rapids course system, said Lavrenz.

While he sees the trend toward increased play in Cedar Rapids, Lavrenz doesn't feel the city's decision to renovate has been prompted by any increased competition from new daily-fees -- at least not directly. "Although competition remains an underlying factor here, when you're doing 200,000 rounds annually, it's not our main concern," he explained. "I was more concerned that it was costing us more and more to maintain our courses. When we do that many rounds, our tee spaces just aren't adequate. We normally keep our greens at 5/32 inches or above just to withstand the amount of rounds we do.

"And golfers' demands are higher these days. They want smooth greens and better playing conditions." This, Lavrenz admits, is a function of the new courses being developed in and around Cedar Rapids. Indeed, the city saw fit to build new development options into its contract with Lohmann Golf Designs. As Cedar Rapids has already secured land adjacent to the nine-hole Jones Park facility, a new LGD-designed loop is likely there. As for the new 18-hole project, the city has already earmarked 126 acres of gently rolling farmland on the north side, and is looking to purchase an additional 25 acres.

"The new 18 is something that would be done several years down the road," Lohmann cautioned. "After we've revamped the other four courses, we'll assess the city's needs and determine what sort of facility might go in there."

"We're hoping the redesigns will better allocate demand so that perhaps we won't need a fifth golf course," said Lavrenz. "But if demand continues to grow at the current pace, we'll definitely need the fifth layout."

RELATED ARTICLE: Show Me the Green Fees

There is a third important dynamic associated with municipal renovation, one that has not yet taken hold in Cedar Rapids, as the first spade of dirt won't be turned until later this year. But when the first city layout has been renovated and reopened for play, Lavrenz and his staff will face a delicate decision that a growing number of city administrators are already facing nationwide: green fees.