DEVELOPERS GUIDE
Attributes OF TOP BUILDERS BY HENRY DELOZIER
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GLOBAL GOLF ADVISORS
hat are the attributes of top builders? In a word, passion. The top builders are people who love golf and employ people who love golf. The best products begin constructed are shaped and built by people who understand the game of golf and take pains to make each hole beautiful, playable and intriguing,” says Ron Whitten, the architecture editor at Golf Digest. Whitten continued, “I've met many a construction superintendent and shaper over the years that have all the tools to be architects themselves but lack the opportunities. That they remain in the construction end of the business is a blessing.” Tommy Sasser, past GCBAA president, who is now consulting as Recreational Community Consultants, says, “What defines a “top builder”? One that has: (a) professional management and senior staff; (b) financial and technical resources to perform the work; and (c) a history of being professional and able to complete similar work that they perform. A ‘top builder’ is not defined as one who can take on any project. A “top builder” is one that has the above abilities performing the work that they do. This means “top builders’ can be small renovation contractors,
irrigation contractors who do small projects, or companies that can perform up to the largest projects.” John Strawn, now at GGA and formerly CEO at Robert Trent Jones II and Hills & Forrest, observes, “Every top builder is adaptable and creative, and that flexibility derives from experience. They can help clients find the most cost-effective ways to complete their projects. Most architects have preferred builders, but it’s a very competitive market and price is still the most important factor for most clients. Builders are not only competing with other builders, they’re competing with in-house staffs as well, especially on standard renovation work, such as building tees and rebuilding bunkers.” Contractors are essential in building within a budget. Mistakes are better made on paper than in the field. Most developers can't fund a course that takes two years to build. Most projects must stick to realistic deadlines. Such valuable attributes as passion, expertise, and experience are considered by many clients to be “table stakes”. The quality standards of GCBAA have elevated the overall capability and expectations of golf course builders.
Developers and many golf course owners or operators keep a short list of primary attributes that make a builder valuable: • Dependability – Do you do what you promised to do? Are schedules and budgets reliable? Are your financial and schedule projections presented in conformity with corporate standards; do they look professional? • Cost-Efficiency – Can you demonstrate that your company will operate efficiently and manage the project flow effectively? Do you have a history of change orders? • Resource Allocation – Is your company adequately staffed and is the on-site team properly equipped? Is it clear to your customers that the on-site team is well-organized and properly supported to complete the assignment on time and on budget? Technical expertise, experience, and dedication are vitally important attributes. So, too, are the customerfacing values that convert a contract into a valued relationship.
Henry DeLozier is a principal at Global Golf Advisors, the largest international consulting firm that specializes in golf-related businesses. Henry is a friend to GCBAA members and the Chairman of the Board of Directors for Audubon International. Contact Henry at hdelozier@globalgolfadvisors.com.
12 GCBAA Earth Shaping News | Spring Edition