“…as (ESGA-EIGCA architect) explained. “The entire reconstruction had to be completed by retaining as many features as possible and allowing continuous play…A budget of (1.9 million Euros) was calculated and any increase in costs for reconstruction was completely unacceptable.”
“The need for reconstruction of (the recently) reconstructed course puts (ESGA-EIGCA architect) in a pensive mood. “Today as one contemplates the outcome of the reconstruction and extension one realizes once again how difficult it is, or even impossible, to build the optimal golf course. Too many details force the architect to reach several compromises that could lead to a reconstruction at a later date." ESGA-EIGCA Golf Course Architect, Golf Course News International, 1999
How would you like to be the president of this golf club and read your recently renovated project might require more renovation in the future? How do you explain this to the members?... With great difficulty.The problem wasn't and never is "too many details", it was too little time on-site by the architect during the most costly and permanent design-phase... Construction.
The architect was given a budget, "and any increase in costs for reconstruction was completely unacceptable." What is "future reconstruction "if not a future increase in cost?
What these "Confessions" illustrate is nobody is exempt from having things go poorly when the architect hands plans to the builder and makes infrequent "site-visits". Not past presidents, architect association members, signature designers... Nobody.
Excellence requires more than a set of plans and a "walk through" every blue moon. It requires commitment, communication, long hours... just like anything of excellence.
Tony Ristola
agolfarchitect.com
agolfarchitect@yahoo.com
+49 (0)173 450 4552
+1(909) 581 0080
