Unlike most businesses, golf course architecture/construction
has one Best Management Practice (BMP). It is called Leadership Driven
Architecture. This Best Management Practice:
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Is more than 100 years old.
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Is more important today than ever before
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Is based on tested and proven practices.
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Sets the Benchmark the standard of excellence.
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Is about Total Quality Control (TQC).
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Is about constant knowledge sharing communication training.
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Is about increasing quality, reliability, maintainability.
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Is about lowering costs.
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Eliminates complacency.
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Leads to continuous improvements in the product.
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Creates economy, efficiency effectiveness.
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Makes sure the work is done correctly the first time eliminates waste
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Is not completed when the project is completed, because the architect keeps
life long interest in the project.
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All this is about customer focus. Creating excellence economically about
providing a unique product Unique Selling Points (USPs)
Amazingly, it is almost never used!
Why?
Because it is the least profitable for the architect and It requires
extreme dedication. $acrifice.
This Best Management Practice:
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is undeniable irrefutable.
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is common sense.
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has always been the golf design/construction industry's answer to excellence
economically.
It requires the architect to personally:
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Create the plans.
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Communicate the vision and details of the plans daily.
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Monitor the vision and detail of the plans daily.
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Seek improvements of the vision daily.
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Maintain the momentum and optimism of the workers the team.
The questions I answer are:
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What is the optimum way to perform the golf course design and construction
business process?
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How does this serve you? Your customers? The contractor?
Eleven Significant Reasons
Why I'm On Site Daily
Yes the architect on-site, all through construction. And a lifetime
of follow-up.
| In the best interest of the
investors.
Each and every day the architect is there to communicate his vision
directly to the constructors.
This is a Best Management Practice (BMP) with a 100-year history. It
is also my personal commitment to the investors and what they rightfully
deserve.
| "No conscientious architect should accept more commissions during
any season than he can give his personal attention to."
William S. Flynn
Historic Golf Course Architect |
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| Most economical method of construction.
The contractor benefits too.
Workers are most efficient when the architect communicates design details.
A guided team effort' where the answer is only seconds or minutes away...
not days, weeks or months.
Contractors prefer Leadership Driven Architecture no waiting for the
architects ‘site-visits' no, reworking areas built according to plan.'
That efficiency helps lower contractor bids.
Remember the exercise of whispering in someone's ear and passing it
down the line, only to hear the last person say something far different
from the original message. It happens frequently when building a golf course.
Paper plans are the first whisper. Workers interpret that whisper when
the architect is not there. This often results in a product the architect
did not intend.
Leadership Driven Architecture ensures the message is clear eliminating
communication error. Saving time and money.
| "Even when a concept is understood a constructor interpreting a masters
drawings when left alone without supervision will inevitably vary
from the designers dream."
Peter Thompson
5 time Open Champion & Golf Course Architect |
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| Details are achieved which are
unattainable from an office.
The great courses are the product of a more dynamic process than merely
hammering grading stakes from paper plans or CAD. These "paint-by-number"
kits are a guideline. Excellence requires more.
Distinctive greens, bunkers and fairways are products of evolution,
emerging in accord with the land, bringing character and individuality
from the architect's vision. All elements strategy, playability, maintainability,
flow and aesthetics are elevated by the all-day, everyday attention. |
| Unforeseen opportunities to
better the project are implemented.
Walking the property daily, the architect captures elements he could
not possibly have foreseen from aerial photos, topographic maps or infrequent
site visits.
Ideas for improvements are born from an intimate connection with the
land. Soil finds, trees, vegetation, wind strengths or simply the way material
has been "piled" can create opportunities. This minute by minute direction
ensures the details are built correctly the first time. |
| Eliminates the necessity to
hire costly golf course construction companies!
I've proven this but it's only possible if the architect is on-site
everyday. Endless communication and monitoring is critical. Nothing less
will suffice. |
| A clear message to the construction
team,
Perfection is the goal... 'good enough,' isn't
A Best Management Practice focusing on one project at a time, communicating
the design intent, and monitoring the construction of every bunker, green,
tee and fairway daily. This effort by the architect to control quality
and direction of the project is relentless ...it must be, to compel the
construction team to take the project to heart. Otherwise, your project
becomes just another.
Daily participation minimizes speculation, guessing and anxiety of the
construction team. It injects the process with energy, excitement and awareness.
It fosters a strong feeling of professionalism, due to a clear picture
of what must be accomplished. If any task is unclear, the answer is only
minutes away not weeks or months. They labor armed with knowledge and peace
of mind.
This passion, dedication, commitment and control is the driving force
behind the creation of every great work of art, and every leading business
venture! |
| Ensures the intended concept
is built.
Only the architect can know exactly what alterations fit the intended
plan during construction. Plans for a golf course are merely the starting
point. They predict the work to be done, and are used to acquire bids.
Modern construction methods affect features many look similar' due to
the construction equipment and individuals involved. When left unsupervised,
an experienced' constructor may destroy the design intent by gravitating
to a pet style.' Constant supervision keeps the design intent "on track"
by attending to the smallest details while making sure all workers, experienced'
and inexperienced' clearly understand each process.
Being on-site all-day, everyday, leading the construction effort is
10 to 42 times greater than the average architect who makes infrequent
‘site-visits.' This commitment ensures the intended concept is achieved. |
| Leadership Driven Architecture
creates unique opportunities.
You will most certainly have a Unique Selling Point. Your course is
an icon among mass produced "McSignature" projects. Simply, it's the difference
between an original work of art and one signed' by the artist, but performed
by someone else. |
| Produces long term quality...
something to preserve.
Quality is not dependent on massive construction budgets, but attention
to detail by the architect and a conscientious, motivated construction
team.
History is clear... history is made by the architect being there. |
| Fewer projects allow the architect
to follow his previous works.
Courses are ecological systems in a state of flux. If an architect only
visits your course infrequently during construction, what are the chances
he will follow the course years and decades after completion? The architect
pursuing history and with fewer projects can ensure each course will mature
along intended lines.
Most committees budget for "beautification programs." The architect
should advise where the funds are spent. He can ensure the design is not
compromised by unschooled, well intentioned individuals. |
| Low overhead means design fees
are affordable.
You only pay for what you need, not a bloated staff, many of which you
may not require. |
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If you have any questions about Leadership Driven Architecture, a Best
Management Practice, please Contact
Us.
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