Tony S. Ristola 
 Whether your project is new construction, renovation, remodeling or redesign, Tony S. Ristola offers critical insight on how to achieve excellence, economically. 
A Golf Architect 
 
Leadership Driven Architecture  
and
Eleven Significant Reasons 
Why I'm On Site Daily
 
 
Unlike most businesses, golf course architecture/construction has one Best Management Practice (BMP). It is called Leadership Driven Architecture. This Best Management Practice: 
  1. Is more than 100 years old. 
  2. Is more important today than ever before 
  3. Is based on tested and proven practices. 
  4. Sets the Benchmark the standard of excellence. 
  5. Is about Total Quality Control (TQC). 
  6. Is about constant knowledge sharing communication training. 
  7. Is about increasing quality, reliability, maintainability. 
  8. Is about lowering costs. 
  9. Eliminates complacency. 
  10. Leads to continuous improvements in the product. 
  11. Creates economy, efficiency effectiveness. 
  12. Makes sure the work is done correctly the first time eliminates waste 
  13. Is not completed when the project is completed, because the architect keeps life long interest in the project. 
  14. 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: 

  • is undeniable irrefutable. 
  • is common sense. 
  • has always been the golf design/construction industry's answer to excellence economically. 
It requires the architect to personally: 
  • Create the plans. 
  • Communicate the vision and details of the plans daily. 
  • Monitor the vision and detail of the plans daily. 
  • Seek improvements of the vision daily. 
  • Maintain the momentum and optimism of the workers the team. 
The questions I answer are: 
  • What is the optimum way to perform the golf course design and construction business process?
  • 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

 
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

 
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
 
 
To: Tony S. Ristola, Golf Architect Main Index
 
Contact:
Tony S. Ristola
Golf Architect
Website: http://www.agolfarchitect.com
email: http://www.agolfarchitect.com/contactus.htm

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