Renovation classes will be in session

remodel university comes to mvRemodeling University comes to Mesa Verde Country Club to show golf course decision-makers how to properly undertake a redesign.Like an old house in need of renovation, or a car that needs some work done, so too do golf courses need a little work.

But at what point does a course need to be remodeled? When does a bunker need to be moved further back on the fairway? How often do the tee boxes need to be refurbished?

And most importantly, how much does it all cost?

Southern California golf course superintendents, professionals, managers, club leaders and course owners -- basically anyone involved with the operation of a golf course -- will have the opportunity to learn more about golf course renovation when the Remodeling University comes to Mesa Verde Country Club in Costa Mesa on Wednesday.

Presented by the American Society of Golf Course Architects and the Southern California Golf Assn., the seminar will cover all of the above topics in a six-hour session.

“And in the last 10 years, the change in clubs and balls -- where even average players are hitting further off the tee -- that impacts where hazards are.”

Scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to about 2:30 p.m., the Remodeling University will cover specific topics directly related to the Southern California region, said Chad Ritterbusch, the society’s executive secretary.

“Obviously, water is such an issue in Southern California that often times an irrigation system needs to be replaced to make it more effective,” Ritterbusch said.

The idea behind the program is to educate golf course decision-makers into how to properly undertake a course remodel, Ritterbusch said.

And with so many renovations being done in Southern California, Ritterbusch said the architect’s society noticed many projects were being done by those who lacked specific expertise or background in golf course remodeling. The decisions were being made by business people, he said.

“We tell people they won’t be able to walk out with all the answers, but they will be better able to ask good questions,” Ritterbusch said.

So, just when does a course need to be remodeled anyway?

“Somewhere in the window of 15-25 years after the course has opened,” said Damian Pascuzzo, a former president of the society. “A couple [of] things happen. Some of the underground systems, like the irrigation and drainage, start to wear out. Also, the equipment technology changes or needs to be upgraded or replaced.

Pascuzzo, who will moderate the Remodeling University seminar, said a major golf course remodel can cost anywhere from $800,000 to $3 million. But it is a necessity, he said.

With the technological advances in golf clubs and balls that enable players to hit longer, some of the courses that were built 20 to 30 years ago or earlier have become less challenging. Sand bunkers or water hazards might not be far enough away, or trees might be in the wrong location.

There can be minor renovations that focus on little things, such as cart paths. There are also major remodels where irrigation systems are rebuilt, new grass is planted, trees are removed or repositioned, and legs are added.

In the case of Pelican Hill Golf Club, locally speaking, all of the above is done, plus a hotel is added.

Although Pelican Hill’s remodel appears to be on track, a lot of course owners or operators make major mistakes when planning a remodel, Pascuzzo said.

“The mistakes are usually at the front end when they don’t do careful, impartial analysis,” he said. “Really, one of the most important things to do is bring in an architect because he can give an objective assessment of what’s wrong with the course. I’ve seen several courses spinning their wheels because they didn’t have proper guidance or vision.”

The cost of the seminar is $99 in advance or $129 at the door. For more information, visit www.remodelinguniversity.org.20051020i9grxmkfPHOTO COURTESY OF DESIGN ADVOCATE (LA)Pelican Hill Golf Club, its 16th hole pictured here, is one local course about to go through some renovations. A seminar Wednesday at Mesa Verde Golf Course will assist other courses looking to make changes in their looks.