The Oulu golf course was opened in 1992 with 27 holes.
The nine hole extension was opened in 2005 thus making
the course the northernmost 36 holes in the world.
As the course ages and the modern equipment change the game
the renovation of any course is only a matter of time.
This is why Oulu Golf Club greenkeeping committee started a project to
identify all problems that need to be fixed.
After a while it was clear that the committee did not have the
professional skills and time that was needed to make a
comprehensive plan to fulfill all needs. The committee made a
decision to hire a golf course design professional for the job.
Jari Rasinkangas, golf architect from GolfArk, made a proposal to start
a Master Plan project that would include e.g. needs analysis,
site inspection, current state analysis and the drawings
with cost estimates.
Jari Rasinkangas describes,
"Having the needs analysis ready the project continued
with site inspection when all playing strategy, playability
and course maintenance issues were written down, photographed
and marked in the map.
For each hole I made a detailed description that described
the needed repairs and proposed changes. The current state
analysis was attached with drawings and Before - After
pictures to visualize the written report."
Hole 11, par 5, view from the tees
Current situation: The players that try to reach the green
in two, play their drives over the small trees on the left.
For the long hitters the trees are not any threat,
they just block the view causing safety issues, slow play
and occasional lost balls.
Proposed ideas: The trees will be removed and new fairway
bunker will be added for strategy to create more risk for
longer hitters.
Benefits
Even though the board and committee members will often change
the Master Plan will provide continuity and consistency
for the long term planning.
Without a comprehensive plan the repairs and
changes on the course will remain just as occasional
fixes.
By stepping back and taking a look at the bigger picture,
the Master Plan process allows the club to avoid
costly mistakes and to save money by phasing projects in
a more logical sequence.
According to greenkeeping committee chairman Raimo Toivanen,
"The current state analysis describes clearly all
playability issues and maintenance problems.
The committee got also a tool that helps to plan the
investments and financing in the long run. With drawings
and Before - After pictures we can visualize the plans for
the board and members."
When asked about how the work continues,
Toivanen describes,
"The task list of the Master Plan will be updated each year.
Fixed issues will be removed and new ones added.
This helps to control the use of resources and plan the work
carefully before implementing the ideas too quickly on the course.
Of course you cannot be prepared for every new surprise that
happens occasionally but even then the Master Plan helps
you to act more quickly and efficiently."
The renovation project started by fixing the tasks on the
10th hole that enhanced the playability and speed of play.
Jari Rasinkangas describes,
"The hole is a short dogleg par 4 that is quite easy hole
for the good players.
The first shot is usually a mid iron and the approach a
wedge to the green that is on top of a small hill.
For the short hitters the hole was too difficult because they
usually had to hit their second shot over the tall, dense
and rocky woods, that was in the inside of the sharp
dogleg. Especially women and beginners were in trouble
losing balls and having penalty shots in the woods.
Too often the frustrated players picked up their balls
without completing the hole.
Most of the trees were removed and the rocky terrain was
replaced by grassed rough. We also
removed the three fairway bunkers that could not be seen
from the tees and added new bigger one that was lifted
higher to get it visible.
The visual image of the hole was quite poor from the tees
because the mounds on the right side of the fairway blocked
the view to the fairway and bunkers. This problem was fixed
by moving the tees to a new position."
View from the old tees.
View from the new tees. Now you can see the fairway and
bunker on the right clearly. The hole looks also much better from this
new line of play.
Read what every golf course owner should know about long
term planning and renovation of the golf course.
The guide will give you practical advice about how to
plan and run the renovation project.
Download the guide here:
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Master Plan, Oulun Golf, GolfArk Oy
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