La Gorce Country Club Golf Course Restoration Description A u g u s t 2 7 t h , 2 015
Mission Statement: “La Gorce Country Club is committed to being continually recognized as the private golf and country club of choice in South Florida, building on our long-standing tradition of excellence. We shall always strive to deliver a world class golf course, facilities and services to our members, their families and their guests. We shall encourage camaraderie among our members and respect for our staff. We are committed to operating our club in a professional, transparent and fiscally responsible manner.”
Vision Statement: “To be one of the top golf and country clubs in the U.S. offering our members golf on a challenging and extremely well-maintained course with equally matching facilities and services.”
Golf Course Restoration
2016 La Gorce Country Club Miami Beach, FL
Green Committee
Board of Governors
KemperSports
Barry Brodsky, Co-Chairman
Barry Brodsky, President
Douglas Hellman, Senior Vice President
F.J. Pollak, Co-Chairman
Courtney Lord, 1st Vice President
Daniel Cunningham, VP Development and Construction
Jeff Block
Richard Jackson, 2nd Vice President
David Kupstas, Regional Operations Executive
Brad Hopkins
F.J. Pollak, Secretary
Jon Kaull, Director of Accounting
Tom Jermoluk
Craig Rickert, Treasurer
Richard Martino, General Manager
Colin O'Reilly
Scott Copeland
Jim Brown, Golf Course Superintendent
Ron Stone
Al Hanley
Ernie Ruiz, PGA Director of Golf
Jeff Weinstein
Brad Meltzer
Kathleen Thanas, New Business Development Associate
Lance Raiffe
Design Team
Jack Nicklaus, Nicklaus Design Golf Course Architect
Mike Pignato, The Pignato Group Golf Course Irrigation
Tom Lucido, Lucido and Associates Landscape Architect
Glen Miller, Miller Engineering Consulting Engineer
Daniel Cunningham, KemperSports Construction Manager
Fellow Members, This is a very exciting and important time for the future of our great Club. The Board has been quite busy over the past eight months working with the Club Management team and KemperSports on the details of the golf course restoration project in order to prepare for the upcoming presentation. As you can imagine there are numerous components to a project of this magnitude and I wanted to begin this message by saying Thank Y ou. I want to thank all of our fellow Members who serve on our volunteer committees and have helped shape the direction of the project. I also wanted to thank my fellow Board Members who, like the committee Members, have helped guide this project and given countless hours of their time inside and outside of the boardroom to bring the project to this point. Most of all, I would like to say Thank You to all of you, the Members of La Gorce Country Club. Whenever this type of project is embarked upon, success often hinges on a number of foundational elements bestowed to the planning team; Trust, Honesty, Communication and Patience all come to mind. Throughout this process I believe we have been afforded those essentials and I also believe that as a collective group, the Board, Committees, Club Management and KemperSports have truly worked in the best interest of the Membership in developing this comprehensive plan. With that being said, I know how much our Club means to all of us and that there are a myriad of perspectives regarding Club operations, amenities, costs, etc. I would encourage you to stay constructive through this process. Each of us have an equal say with this upcoming vote, including the Board Members, and I urge you to make sure your voice is represented through that vote. Let’s set our goal on getting over 300 members to vote! I want this to be a decision representative of the Membership! In preparation for the presentation we took the liberty of developing this communication piece in an effort to disseminate some of the pertinent information of the project in one consolidated form. As part of the creation of this booklet, Club Management also assembled a frequently asked questions section with the goal of addressing as many of your questions as possible. You will find this collection of questions and answers at the end of this booklet. I encourage you to review that section in advance of the presentation as it will likely answer many of your pending questions and make our presentation even more productive. As you know the golf course restoration project was initiated over two years ago in an effort to address many of the failing infrastructure components of our 20+ year old course. The irrigation system, greens and bunkers were/are all failing and in need of replacement and updating. This is significantly contributing to substandard course conditions especially in the cooler, drier winter months. The infrastructure issues have been investigated and well documented by third party industry experts over the past two years and have provided their recommendations for the long term solutions to these problems. That independent analysis and validation, as well as KemperSports’ evaluation, have led us to the conclusion that the golf course restoration is necessary. Jack Nicklaus stated that after 21 years it is time to restore the Signature Design and to refresh and revitalize the golf course. The new turf will enhance playability and maintenance capabilities; and updating will keep La Gorce Country Club in a place of prominence within its competitive set. We are extremely proud to once again have “The Golden Bear” leading the design of the project and continuing to be a part of the next chapter of La Gorce Golf History. The Finance Committee, the KemperSports financial team and the Board all have worked tirelessly to develop a recommended funding option that we feel is both fair and fiscally prudent for both the course restoration project and the future financial needs of the Club. Through the development of the funding option, the Board also made a point of researching all of our past debt as well as the sources and uses of funds. We are recommending a one-time assessment of $5,500 per Golf Member, which may be financed over seven years. The Board feels very strongly that we should remain fiscally conservative in our approach and urge each Member to make the one-time payment as requested. In closing, on behalf of myself and the Board, Thank Y ou for your continued support and we look forward to a terrific presentation on August 27th. Sincerely, Barry Brodsky President La Gorce Country Club
August 13th, 2015 Dear La Gorce Membership and Members of the Board: I am pleased to hear that the La Gorce membership is approaching a vote on the proposed restoration of your golf course. I also applaud the club for organizing a ''town hall" meeting later this month to inform and educate members about the proposed restoration plans, and to give them a forum in which to ask questions and provide feedback . The decision to restore is obviously an important one, and we fully understand that there is an inherent responsibility with the club's management team and the membership to make a determination on what is in the best interest of the Club’s future, as well as the best timing for such work. Our role at Nicklaus Design is to assist the club in making the most informed decision by providing you all the necessary information, guidance and support. One of the many reasons to renovate is, to put it simply, the age of the golf course. All golf course infrastructure deteriorates over time, causing deficiencies in the functional elements, such as drainage, irrigation, turf quality and cart paths. Over time, specific maintenance practices have to be adopted and programs developed that are catered to different areas of the course to accommodate varying levels of deficiencies throughout the layout. This creates challenges for even the most experienced and accomplished superintendent. Uniformity is a key factor in achieving consistent playing conditions of your fairways, tees, bunkers and greens, and to allow for efficient and consistent agronomic and maintenance practices and standards.
I understand the irrigation system at La Gorce is more than twenty years old and in dire need of being replaced. The irrigation system is the lifeline of any golf course. Updating or, in some cases, replacing the irrigation has many benefits, including being more efficient at managing and conserving your water. We are a global design firm and we can say with conviction that water is the most important issue worldwide in the game of golf, and it will become an even greater issue. So clubs and courses willing to reinvest in state-of -the-art, efficient irrigation will conserve water and realize savings over time. We recognize, however, that addressing irrigation needs is a disruptive process for the club and requires shutting the course down for installation. Once a club makes such a commitment, most are quick to address and update other aspects of the golf course during a shutdown to maximize the time the facility is under construction. This allows a club to avoid other extended periods of future inactivity, and, most important, does not disrupt and inconvenience the membership further. That is why it is typically best that a renovation is done with a strategic, comprehensive approach, rather than in individual pieces. Another important need the club needs to evaluate is the rebuilding of the putting greens. Results from tests administered in the last year have concluded that the original gravel layer in your USGA greens-which were built in 1994-has decomposed to a point that failure is only a matter of time. I have heard that the conditions of the greens seem very good at the moment, which reflects that your management and maintenance staff are doing a good job at pacifying the greens during the hot summer months. I can assure you, however, that the change in weather will likely bring about a negative change in green conditions, as the root zone becomes further starved for oxygen. This could lead to root rot, salt buildup and black layer all of which you have already experienced during past winters. Again, my role and that of my staff is to inform the management and membership of the logistics involved in the restoration process. This would include the selection of grasses; renovation or removal of turf and/or existing bunkers; adjustments to the course's routing to provide for a better tee-to-green relationship; and an overall beautification of the course. The vast majority of the restoration focuses on maintenance needs, playability, and improving aesthetics-aspects of the golf experience all members should appreciate. Often, the decision to reinvest into that golf experience and to renovate or restore an aging golf course is done to keep a club competitive in the marketplace. With La Gorce enjoying a thriving membership, the motivation to restore your golf course becomes a more personal one. Your golf course is arguably the most important amenity at La Gorce, and with it, should come a hoped-for level of pride in sustaining the high quality of your golf experience. That is why, in the end, this is an important decision to be made collectively by the membership and the club management team. We pledge to assist you whenever and however needed, so please do not hesitate to reach out to me personally or to our staff. Sincerely,
Why Golf Course Restoration? In 1994, La Gorce Country Club was re-designed as a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course in a traditional Florida parkland to dunes to beach type layout designed for an urban setting. Over the past 20 years, the natural aging and evolution of the golf course and infrastructure make it play differently. Also, much has changed in the golf industry during the past 20 years. New irrigation systems operate more efficiently and turf grass varieties have improved. All of these factors influence the need to upgrade and enhance La Gorce Country Club but the primary reasons we started this design restoration process are:
Greens have decreased in size by an average of 20-30%, losing valuable pin locations. Serious drainage problems within the soil profile of every green (confirmed by two independent laboratories)
Greens surface contours have softened from years of topdressing
Tees are too small to accommodate seasonal traffic loads
Bunkers around greens are not in relation to the putting surfaces and are heavily contaminated with shell and stones and the bunker liners have deteriorated
Fairway turf is less than optimal (to be replaced with Celebration Bermuda)
Improve the irrigation efficiency and water distribution by replacing the 20 year old irrigation system; and reduce water consumption
Reduce water consumption by incorporating turf and landscape improvements and a more effective irrigation system with enhanced control features
Driving Range and Practice Area to be modernized with target greens, bunkers and increase chipping areas and shot values.
Selective clearing and tree removal to restore original design intent, playability and aesthetics
Restore routing to original Jack Nicklaus Design
Hiring Jack Nicklaus and his design team to develop a master plan was the first step in documenting and addressing the change we need to modernize and restore La Gorce, while maintaining the design intent from 1994. Upgrades and design change are recommended only to make certain the golf course will play the same and potentially even better than the year it was redesigned and rebuilt. The new master plan with the proposed changes will help upgrade and modernize the golf course in regards to conditioning and playability.
Nicklaus Design Goals and Objectives Restore and preserve the design integrity of the 1994 Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course while upgrading and modernizing its infrastructure and turf grass species to afford enhanced conditioning and playability. Greens Resurface putting greens with Tif Eagle turf Restore green size, shapes, contours, pin locations and the surface distance from bunkers to putting surfaces lost over the past 20 years Based on agronomic reports, greens are at age to be rebuilt (gravel and drainage pipe is failing) Replace all drain tile, gravel layer and greens mix to United States Golf Association (USGA) specifications Tees Resurface with Celebration Bermuda Turf Reshape tees to the signature Nicklaus shape and size Rebuild and resurface during installation of new irrigation system Relocate with minor elevation changes as recommended by Jack Nicklaus Bunkers Renovate all bunkers to restore design consistency Remove or add bunker to enhance strategy Downsize, modify and redesign capes, bays and noses where necessary Replace drainage Fairways Resurface with Celebration Bermuda turf Repair and improve problem with drainage areas Review and improve fairway lines Install new, efficient irrigation system Roughs Resurface with 419 Bermuda turf to enhance playability and aesthetics Cart Paths and Landscaping Add cart path to improve circulation and decrease wear and tear at greens, tees and other selected locations Modify landscape to naturalize golf course appearance, enhance playability, thin planting in overplanted areas and screen adjacent residential dwellings
Proposed Restoration Master Plan
Hole 1: Redesign and enlarge the 1st tee area and putting green complex (remove formal plantings, push the green east, enlarge the cart staging area per the buildings architects plan) Demo old cart path and build new cart path left of new 1st tee Remove several palms on the right of the fairway that block views from the right rough to the green New drainage work on the golf course to be identified per Turf Drainage Company of America plan. Rebuild and reduce the size of the right greenside bunkers, rebuild the left greenside bunker and the back splash bunker potentially smaller Rebuild all the greens and the green surrounds Rebuild all fairways and greenside bunkers Rebuild all middle tees potentially larger and re-level all tees (potential slight shifting, lowering, or heightening of any tee during construction process) Expand cart paths where needed per Clubs directions and design approval
Hole 2: Shift and rebuild the putting surface some 40 to 50 feet to the right, rebuild the left greenside bunker smaller; possibly split into two bunkers Remove the back right bunker New drainage work on the golf course to be identified per Turf Drainage Company for America Plan The entire left side of hole No.2 should be reviewed and re-drained per the club’s engineer and the Turf Drainage company of America Plan Rebuild all greens and the greens surrounds Rebuild all greenside bunkers Rebuild all middle tees larger and re-level all tees (potential slight shifting, lowering, or heightening of any tee during construction process) Remove selected trees and shrubs from the practice area buffer line Expand cart paths where needed per Club’s direction and design approval; new cart path left of green
Hole 3 :
Eliminate numerous palms on the left side of the lake to open up views into the lake from the 1st turning point to the 2nd turning point and green Fairway bunkers left of 1st turning point should be rebuilt at higher elevation for drainage and visibility purposes; there is a proposed lake expansion right in front of the green (and old bunker demo) and behind the green where cut / fill dirt can be borrowed if needed (very light cut materials Fairway bunkers left of 2nd turning point should be rebuilt at higher elevation for drainage and visibility purposes; there is a proposed lake expansion right front of the green (old bunker demo) and behind the green where cut/fill dirt can be borrowed if needed (very little cut material) Rebuild the bunker to the left side of the green smaller with more bailout swale Rebuild right greenside bunkers Lift approach in 2nd turning point by raising the fairway Excavate lake expansion where old bunker sits on 2nd turning point and back right side of the green New Drainage work on the golf course to be identified per Turf Drainage company for America Plan Rebuild all greens and greens surrounds Rebuild all middle tees larger and re-level all tees (potential slight shifting, lowering or heightening of any tee during construction process) Rebuild the green per Jack newest concept drawing (reference new plan) Expand cart paths where needed per Clubs direction and design approval
Hole 4: Rebuild all tees; remove, demo old cart path right and move forward tee that is blocking view into the water to the right; develop a grass hollow cross over in front of tees by pushing both forward tee and the ladies tee to the right; new cart path to the right of tees Keep all center bunkers; remove trees in center of fairway Shrink front bunkers; the other greenside bunkers remain in size and placement
New drainage work on the golf course to be identified per Turf Drainage Company of America Plan Rebuild all greens and the greens surrounds Rebuild all fairways and greenside bunkers Rebuild all middle tees larger and re-level all tees (potential slight shifting, lowering, or heightening of any tee during construction process) Expand cart paths where needed per Clubs directions and design approval Hole 5: Rebuild tees with crossover hollow in front of the tees, shift cart path to the left of the forward tee and demo old cart path location in front of tee Rebuild the left greenside bunker smaller New drainage work on the golf course to be identified per the TDA plan Rebuild all greens and the greens surrounds Rebuild all middle tees larger and re-level all tees (potential slight, shifting, lowering, or heightening of any tee during construction process) Expand cart paths where needed per Clubs directions and design approval Hole 6: Re-design the landscaping on hillside behind the green De-formalize and remove all formal bushes, planting on hillside Add back tee per membership desire to lengthen the golf course Rebuild back bunkers; move bunkers back into the hillside some in order to make small fairway bailout in this area Reshape, rebuild bunkers right side of green per the member’s schedule Rework area short right side of green, minor reshaping, drainage work Expand cart path for maintenance traffic from tee to back of green per the Clubs directions New drainage work on the golf course to be identified per the TDA plan Excavate lake expansion right side of golf hole if additional fill dirt is needed
Rebuild all greens and the greens surrounds Rebuild all fairway and greenside bunkers Rebuild all middle tees larger and re-level all tees (potential slight shifting, lowering, or heightening of any tee during construction process) Redesign and rebuild new green and surrounds 2’ higher, per Clubs direction and design approval Expand cart paths where needed per Clubs direction and design approval Hole 7: Rebuild the back tee and the member’s blue tees slightly wider and slightly lower Add one bunker in front of the green for better definition, one short front left...smaller pot bunker New drainage work on the golf course to be identified per the TDA plan Rebuild all greens and the greens surrounds Rebuild all fairways and greenside bunkers Rebuild all middle tees larger and re-level all tees (potential slight shifting, lowering, heightening of any tee during construction process) Expand cart paths where needed per the Clubs directions and design approval Hole 8: Expand tees on the north side of the cart path Rebuild large front greenside bunkers splitting into 3 separate smaller bunkers Expand pond in front of the tees, left greenside, and along the right side of the pond in order to get rid of straight line on the right side of ponds; cut/fill material can be generated if and when needed New drainage work on the golf course to be identified per the TDA plan Rebuild all greens and the greens surrounds Rebuild all fairway and greenside bunkers Rebuild all middle tees larger and re-level all tees (potential slight shifting, lowering, or heightening of any tee during construction process) Expand cart paths where needed per Clubs direction and design approval
Hole 9: Eliminate back left tee (good cut / fill material / back tee move more right); keep existing stand of palms etc. in-front left of tees and work around these palms with a re-graded low in front of tees (keep tress that are identified to be left in place per Tom Lucido plan) Eliminate high left fairway bunkers, shrink larger bunker and re-shape per Mr. Nicklaus’ (20 step rake rule); islands are OK in middle of bunkers in this area if designed properly and will help with breaking up this bunker space Fix cart path (on off area) from fairway to around the left side of the green; remove trees in this area if needed to help broaden for cart traffic Eliminate palms to the right of fairway that Mr. Nicklaus identified to relocate out of play area (replace with single stem palms if needed) Eliminate 2/3 of the bunker on the short left side of green (front half) Convert back right bunker to 1 bunker and grass hollow; keep back left bunker New drainage work on the golf course to be identified per the TDA plan Add fairway bunker per Mr. Nicklaus to the right side of the turning point; pinching fairway Rebuild all greens and the greens surrounds Rebuild all fairway and greenside bunkers Rebuild all middle tees larger and re-level all tees (potential slight shifting, lowering or heightening of any tee during construction process) Expand cart paths where needed per Clubs direction and design approval Practice Area:
(bigger chipping green) and hole1(smaller chipping green) Increase overall size and locations of chipping areas New drainage work on the golf course to be identified per the TDA plan Expand cart path where needed per the Clubs direction and design approval; new cart path parking area next to the chipping green Hole 10: Move right fairway bunker forward and slightly left/ keep size of bunker/ work on angle Add fairway on the left side of the golf hole in the turn point area if needed Reduce size of front right greenside bunker; rebuild other two greenside bunkers New drainage work on the golf course to be identified per the TDA plan Rebuild all greens and the greens surrounds Rebuild all fairway and greenside bunkers Rebuild all middle tees larger and re-level all tees (potential slight shifting, lowering or heightening of any tee during construction process) Expand cart paths where needed per Clubs direction and design approval
be converted into a grass hollow and possibly maintained at fairway height, and front right bunker should be rebuilt
Rebuild all greens and the green surrounds Rebuild all fairway and greenside bunkers Rebuild all middle tees larger and re-level all tees (potential slight shifting, lowering or heightening of any tee during construction process) Expand cart paths where needed per Clubs direction and design approval Hole 12:
Expand the blue tee on this golf hole; redesign tee complex with low hollow in front of tees; remove or relocate 2 to 3 palms that block the left side of the fairway from the tees
Rebuild and reduce the size of the greenside bunkers
This is where Mr. Nicklaus reiterated that the landscaping plan (palm plantings) need to be modified into a more organic, native design; there were too many groupings of palm and plant material that were all the same in a particular area
New drainage work on the golf course to be identified per the TDA plan
Hole 11:
Address the cart traffic under the tree right of green, and do what is simplest and most cost effective to have a broader area for cart traffic to travel thru (remove a tree or two if needed)
New drainage work on the golf course to be identified per the TDA plan
Rebuild all greens and the greens surround Remove several or potentially all trees in front of the pond left side in order to open up views into Rebuild all fairway and greenside bunkers the pond from the 2nd shot; lower mound (knob) Rebuild all middle tees larger and re-level all in this area that also blocks views into the pond tees (potential slight shifting, lowering or heightening of any tee during construction process) Move crossover bunker in 2nd turning point left and a bit closer to the green so that none of this Expand cart paths where needed per Clubs direction and design approval new bunker is blocked by trees
Rebuild all new target greens and field of play Build new synthetic hitting tee (approx. 185’ x15’ = 2,775 sf which will probably shrink) (Nicklaus recommends use of Southwest Green’s Bunker left and behind the green should be sized product) down on the right while keeping the left side, the Rebuild practice chipping and putting greens/ right side of this bunker that is eliminated should copy chip shot movement similar to holes 8
Hole 13: Remove a good portion of the left greenside bunker, reduce in size, remove the left half of the bunker, keep back left side of bunker for visibility from the tee New drainage work on the golf course to be identified per the TDA plan
(help with cart flow) Rebuild the remaining directional bunker in this area with more shape; they have become to round
Rebuild center bunker smaller Eliminate large beach bunker and add more lake in this area; increase visibility into the lake from 1st turning point; also Rebuild all greens and the greens surround expand fairway down into this area Rebuild all fairway and greenside bunkers Add Jack II Pot Bunker in front side of Rebuild all middle tees larger and re-level all green tees (potential slight shifting, lowering or height Also eliminate the large bunker behind ening of any tee during construction process) the green and convert to fairway fall-off Expand cart paths where needed per Clubs direcand hollow tion and design approval New drainage work on the golf course to be Hole 14: identified per the TDA plan Enlarge blue tees Rebuild all greens and the greens surround Remove as much Fakahatchee Grass per revised Rebuild all fairway and greenside bunkers design in the detention basin along the left side of the golf hole, plant with another wet dry spe- Rebuild all middle tees larger and re-level all tees (potential slight shifting, lowering or heightcies ening of any tee during construction process) Move the green right some 25 to 30 feet; elimi Expand cart paths where needed per Clubs direcnate most or all of the left of the greenside buntion and design approval ker, turn this area into a soft fairway bailout unless otherwise advised by Mr. Nicklaus, shrink Hole 16: the bunker on the right side of green and add a Eliminate right greenside bunker, turn into a fairway bailout fairway bailout New drainage work on the golf course to be Rebuild the left greenside lake bank bunker with identified per the TDA plan an erosion protection fabric; protect from wind Rebuild all greens and the greens surround and wave erosion (approx. 450 x 10’ = 4,500 sf)
Rebuild all fairway and greenside bunkers Rebuild all middle tees larger and re-level all tees (potential slight shifting, lowering or heightening of any tee during construction process) Expand cart paths where needed per Clubs direction and design approval Hole 15: Move ladies tee, and reroute cart path, demo old cart path in front of tees
2nd Turning Point Eliminate furthest bunker to the right
Enlarge blue tees New drainage work on the golf course to be identified per the TDA plan
Rebuild all greens and the greens surrounds Rebuild all fairway and greenside bunkers, take out the furthest right bunker per Mr. Nicklaus’s directions; turn into a fairway bailout hollow Rebuild all middle tees larger and re-level all tees (potential slight shifting, lowering, or heightening of any tee during construction process)
Mr. Nicklaus has asked for the green not to be elevated another 2 feet above existing grade; Expand cart path where needed per the Clubs direction and design approval Hole 17: Mr. Nicklaus discussed removing a tree around the turn point on the left side; also discussed removing any and all crotons from this hole (example: back right side of green between 18 tee and green)
New drainage work on the golf course to be identified per the TDA plan
Rebuild all greens and the greens surround
Rebuild all fairway and greenside bunkers Rebuild all middle tees larger and re-level all tees (potential slight shifting, lowering or heightening of any tee during construction process) Expand cart paths where needed per Clubs direction and design approval Hole 18: Change fairway mow pattern on the left side of the green in front and next to the water Move greenside cart path to the right ; visibility issue Discussed cleaning up the Fakahatachee Grass in the detention area short and right of the turn point, would like to see this grass eliminated in this area Greenside Bunkers to be rebuilt with more shape to them New drainage work on the golf course to be identified per the TDA plan
Rebuild all greens and the greens surround
Rebuild all fairway and greenside bunkers Rebuild all middle tees larger and re-level all tees (potential slight shifting, lowering or heightening of any tee during construction process) Expand cart paths where needed per Clubs direction and design approval; demo cart path to the right of the green and rebuild new cart path further to the right of the green.
EXISTING CONDITIONS
PROPOSED RESTORATION
GREEN COMPLEX
GREEN COMPLEX
EXISTING APPROACH SHOT REBUILD PUTTING GREEN AND PUTTING GREEN COMPLEX
PLAN VIEW
PLAN VIEW
REBUILD, RESTORE ALL FAIRWAY BUNKERS, GREENSIDE BUNKERS AND GREEN SURROUNDS
SELECTIVE CLEARING AND TREE REMOVAL (GRAY SCALE) REBUILD, RESTORE ALL MIDDLE TEES POTENTIALLY LARGER AND RE-LEVEL ALL TEES SHIFT CART PATH LEFT ON TEE
REBUILD AND REDUCE THE SIZE OF THE RIGHT GREENSIDE BUNKER; REBUILD THE LEFT GREENSIDE BUNKER AND THE BACK SPLASH BUNKER POTENTIALLY SMALLER REDESIGN AND ENLARGE THE 1ST TEE AREA AND PUTTING GREEN COMPLEX; DEVELOP A BETTER CONNECTION WITH THE BACK OF CLUBHOUSE
PROPOSED APPROACH SHOT
EXISTING CONDITIONS
PROPOSED RESTORATION
GREEN COMPLEX
GREEN COMPLEX
EXISTING APPROACH SHOT
REBUILD PUTTNG GREEN AND PUTTING GREEN COMPLEX
PLAN VIEW
PLAN VIEW REBUILD,RESTORE ALL FAIRWAY BUNKERS, AND GREEN SURROUNDS SELECTIVE CLEARING AND TREE RMOVAL (GRAY SCALE)
REBULD, RESTORE ALL MIDDLE TEES POTENTIALLY LARGER AND RE- LEVEL ALL TEES
REBUILD PUTTING GREEN COMPLEX TO USGA SPECIFITATIONS
ELIMINATE NUMEROUS PALMS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE LAKE TO OPEN UP VIEWS INTO THE LAKE FROM THE 1ST TP TO THE 2ND TP AND GREEN FAIRWAY BUNKERS LEFT OF 1ST TP SHOULD BE REBUILT AT HIGHER ELEVATION FOR DRAINAGE AND VISIBILITY PURPOSES
FAIRWAY BUNKERS LEFT OF 2ND TP SHOULD BE REBUILT AT HIGHER ELEVATION FOR DRAINAGE AND VISIBILITY PURPOSES REBUILD THE BUNKER TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE GREEN SMALLER WITH MORE BAILOUT SWALE REBUILD RIGHT GREENSIDE BUNKER
SHIFT CART PATH LEFT OF TEE
EXCAVATE LAKE EXPANSION WHERE OLD BUNKER SIT IN 2ND TP ELIMINATE NUMEROUS PALMS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE LAKE TO OPEN UP VIEWS INTO THE LAKE FROM THE 1ST TP TO THE 2ND TP AND GREEN ELIMINATE COCONUT TEE
PROPOSED APPROACH SHOT
PROPOSED RESTORATION
EXISTING CONDITIONS
GREEN COMPLEX
GREEN COMPLEX
PLAN VIEW
PLAN VIEW
REBUILD, RESTORE THE PUTTING SURFACE TO USGA SPECIFICATION REBUILD LARGE FRONT GREENSIDE BUNKER SPLITTING INTO 3 SEPEARATE SMALLER BUNKERS SELECTIVE CLEARING AND TREE REMOVAL (GRAY SCALE)
EXPAND POND IN FRONT OF THE TEES. LEFT GREENSIDE AND ALONG THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE POND IN ORDER TO ELIMNATE STRAIGHT LINE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE POND
REBUILD, RESTORE ALL FAIRWAY, BUNKERS, GREENSIDE BUNKERS AND GREENS SURROUNDS
EXPAND TEES ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE CART PATH
REBUILD ALL MIDDLE TEES LARGER AND RELEVEL ALL TEES
EXISTING CONDITIONS
PROPOSED RESTORATION
GREEN COMPLEX
GREEN COMPLEX REBUILD PUTTING GREEN AND PUTTING GREEN COMPLEX
PLAN VIEW
PLAN VIEW REBUILD RESTORE THE PUTTING SURFACE TO USGA SPECIFICATION
REBUILD AND REDUCE THE SIZE OF THE GREENSIDE BUNKERS
REBUILD, RESTORE ALL FAIRWAY, BUNKERS, GREENSIDE BUNKERS, AND GREENS SURROUNDS
STRETCH CLEARING AND TREE REMOVAL (GRAY SCALE)
REALIGN CART PATH LEFT OF TEES
REBUILD ALL MIDDLE TEES LARGER AND RE-LEVEL ALL TEES EXPAND THE BLUE TEE
EXISTING CONDITIONS
PROPOSED RESTORATION
GREEN COMPLEX
GREEN COMPLEX REBUILD PUTTING GREEN AND PUTTING GREEN COMPLEX
PLAN VIEW
PLAN VIEW REBUILD, RESTORE THE PUTTING SURFACE TO USGA SPECIFICATION
2ND TURNIING POINT
ELIMINATE FURTHEST BUNKER TO THE RIGHT (HELP WITH CART TRAFFIC FLOW) REBUILD THE REMAINIG DIRECTIONAL BUNKERS IN THIS AREA WITH MORE SHAPE; THEY HAVE BECOME TO ROUND
REBUILD CENTER BUNKER SMALLER ELIMINATE LARGE BEACH BUNKER AND ADD MORE LAKE IN THIS AREA; INCREASE VISIBILITY INTO THE LAKE FROM 1ST TP; ALSO EXPAND FAIRWAY DOWN INTO THIS AREA ADD JACK II POT BUNKER IN FRONT SIDE OF GREEN ALSO ELIMINATE THE LARGE BUNKER BEHIND THE GREEN AND CONVERT TO FAIRWAY FALL OFF AND HOLLOW
REBUILD , RESTORE ALL FAIRWAY, BUNKERS, GREENSIDE BUNKERS ABD GREENSIDE SURROUNDS ADD OR EXPAND THE FORWARD TEE
EXISTING CONDITIONS PLAN VIEW
PROPOSED RESTORATION
EXISTING PRACTICE RANGE
PLAN VIEW REBUILD ALL NEW TARGET GREENS AND FIELD OF PLAY
REGRASS FIELD OF PLAY WITH CELEBRATION BERMUDA TURF
RE-LEVEL AND REGRASS TEE SURFACE WITH CELEBRATION BERMUDA TURF
BUILD BUNKERS TO ACCENTUATE TARGET GREENS AND INCREASE SHOT VALUES
SELECTIVE CLEARING AND TREE REMOVAL (GRAY SCALE)
PROPOSED PRACTICE RANGE
EXISTING CONDITIONS
PROPOSED RESTORATION
GREEN COMPLEX
GREEN COMPLEX
COPY CHIP SHOT MOVEMENT SIMILAR TO HOLE 8 ON THE BIGGER CHIPPING GREEN INCREASE OVERALL SIZE AND LOCATIONS OF CHIPPING AREA REVISE PARKING AREA TO INCREASE SIZE OF CHIPPING ARA
EXISTING CHIPPING GREEN
REBUILD PRACTICE CHIPPING AND PUTTING GREEN TO USGA SPECIFICATIONS EXPAND CHIPPING AREA BY SHIFTING NO 2 GREEN TO THE NORTH CREATE MORE CHIPPING AREA AND LOCATIONS WITH INCREASED SHOT VALUE COPY CHIP SHOT MOVEMENT SIMILAR TO HOLE 1 ON THE SMALLER CHIPPING GREEN
SELECTIVE CLEARING AND TREE REMOVAL TO INCREASE OVERALL AREA AND CHIPPING LOCATIONS (GRAY SCALE) VEGETATION TO BE REPLACED IN AREA BETWEEN CHIPPING AREA AND HOLE NO 2
REGRASS WITH CELEBRATION BERMUDA TURF IN CHIPPING AREA REGRASS CHIPPING GREEN SURFACES WITH THE EAGLE BERMUDA TURF
PROPOSED CHIPPING GREEN
IRRIGATION SYSTEM EVALUATION
PROPOSED SOLUTIONS
20 year old system
New and improved pump stations
Infrastructure including sprinklers and mainline fittings are
Replace sprinklers, valves and piping
Provide individual sprinkler control
Improve coverage & reduce inefficiencies
Utilize available enhanced technology
beyond their useful life expectancy
Not designed for efficient and precise application of water
Coverage limitations
Control and performance issues
GPS mapping interfaced
Extended water time window
In--ground sensors
Paints with a broad brush creating wet and dry areas
ET monitoring
Low trajectory heads
High efficiency nozzling
Increases costs, reduces playability and affects turf viability
LA GORCE COUNTRY CLUB GOLF COURSE RESTORATION TIMELINE
Action
Target Completion Date
Milestone #1– Final Approval of Golf Course Restoration Scope of work
3/16/15
Milestone #2– Final Approval of Preliminary Budget
3/16/15
Milestone #3– Complete Golf Course Restoration Plans
7/1/15
Milestone #4– Display Presentation of Golf Course Restoration Project
7/16/15
Milestone #5– Bid Construction of Golf Course Restoration
8/24/15
Milestone #6– Formal Presentation to Membership of Golf Course Restoration Project
8/27/15
Milestone #7– Member Approval Vote of Golf Course Restoration Project
9/16/15
Milestone #8– Permit Review and Approval
11/1/15
Milestone #9– Award Construction Contracts
12/1/15
Milestone #10– Begin Golf Course Restoration Construction
3/21/15
Milestone #11– Golf Course Restoration Completion
11/1/16
Completed
Question and Answers‌ WHY / DESIGN : Q. Why go through a golf course restoration and incur all of these costs when the course, greens and fairways have never looked better? A. With the change in golf cour se super intendents we have made significant changes in our agr onomic pr actices in an effor t to im pr ove all levels of maintenance and playability on the golf course. However, the fact remains that the deterioration of the golf course infrastructure i.e. irrigation, drainage, as well as the crushed drain tiles, deterioration of subsurface gravel and unwanted turf encroachment in the greens will not allow us to sustain quality turf conditions year around. Aggressive cultural practices complemented by long days of sunlight and warm temperatures have allowed us to improve turf conditions. However, these conditions will not be sustainable during the winter months when there is less sunlight, cooler temperatures and significantly more play, which adds additional stresses to maintaining quality playing conditions. The infrastructure problems have been investigated and well documented by third party industry experts over the past two years as well as their recommendations for the long term solutions to the problems. That independent analysis and validation, as well as KemperSports’ evaluation, have led us to the conclusion that the golf course restoration is necessary. Jack Nicklaus states that after 21 years it is time to restore the Signature Design. Restoration refreshes and revitalizes the golf course. Additionally, the new turf will enhance playability and maintenance capabilities and updating will keep La Gorce Country Club in a place of prominence within its competitive set. Q. Why re-grass the golf course?
A. Over time, as a golf cour se ages, the tur f typically goes thr ough two types of deter ior ation. Genetic mutation r esults in th e plant r ever ting back to its or iginal sour ce from its hybrid strain, and the second is turf contamination from other areas of the course with different types of grasses. The primary turf issue at La Gorce is contamination. All areas of the course have experienced a level of contamination that diminishes playability and requires different cultural practices to sustain acceptable playing conditions. In addition, the development of new turf varieties, in particular Celebration Bermuda, will afford a definite improvement in course conditioning, playability, aesthetics and uniform cultural practices allowing more efficient application of resources. Q. Why is it necessary to have a restoration of the entire golf course as opposed to just the greens? A. Although the gr eens ar e the most cr itical featur e of the cour se r equir ing r estor ation, addr essing just the gr eens would only be a par tial solution to mitigating the broader issues with the golf course. With the other failing aspects of the course it would only be prudent to address all other key components at one time. This prevents multiple course closures and continual disruptions to the membership and assures continuity in the overall conditions ensuring a consistent high quality golf experience from every aspect of the course. Q. Is the golf course out of date with regard to the current advancements of the game (equipment, golf balls, power)? A. No, La Gor ce Countr y Club is a classic J ack Nicklaus Signatur e Design that needs to be r estor ed and r econditioned to incr ease visual enhancement and str ategy. There is no doubt that advances in technology are changing the carry of the golf ball. The better player will always gain an advantage with changes in equipment. The average player, however, is enjoying the game on a great number of courses with similar length and design. Visual enhancements will change some strategy, but overall we are restoring a classic golf course for playability and aesthetics. Q. Why is it necessary to change the routing of the golf course? Will the course handicap and hole handicaps be reviewed and adjusted by Mr. Nicklaus as committed? A. J ack Nicklaus deter mined the or iginal r outing of the golf cour se and has r equested that the r outing be r e-established as originally designed. Mr. Nicklaus will offer his input on course and hole handicaps, but the final decision will be made by the Handicap Committee of the Club pursuant to USGA recommendations.
Question and Answers‌ Q. Some of the proposed changes to the golf course (changing the sequence of holes, moving sand traps, etc.) seem to have only low handicap golf players in mind. Is that the intent? A. No, this statement is inconsistent with the intent of the r estor ation per J ack Nicklaus Design. Changing the sequence does no t make the cour se mor e difficult or favor the low handicap players. Moving sand bunkers closer to greens restores design intent, but does not necessarily increase difficulty. Q. According to the proposed plan, we will have at least four different kinds of grasses to maintain, prevent from contamination other grasses, fertilize, water, etc. What is the long term cost associated with maintaining so many different types of turf? A. Ther e is cur r ently no definition with the gr ass types on the golf cour se in the opinion of the designer . The benefit of chang ing to four gr ass types will be pr oviding the desired definition and keep contamination and migration to a minimum. It has been suggested by Mr. Nicklaus that mowing heights be kept consistent in playable areas thereby potentially decreasing the cost of maintenance. Maintenance practices, regardless of turf type, are going to be different in each area. For example, roughs require different cultural practices and have a far different nutrient requirement than tees or fairways and this does not change based on turf type. We have carefully evaluated the turf types in combination with member expectations and are confident the varieties selected will meet those expectations.
Q. Was paspalum ever even considered? A. Yes. Paspalum was consider ed and as a r esult of the conver sations with industr y and tur f exper ts including the USGA Dir ector of Agr onomy for the Southeast Section John Foy and Dr. Lambert McCarty, Professor of Plant Science at Clemson University, KemperSports with the guidance of Jack Nicklaus Design, concluded that paspalum would not be the best option for La Gorce Country Club. In addition to playability concerns, the most notable limiting factor was the increased cost of maintenance. Q. Will the golf course look or play appreciably differently than we have seen in the past? A. Yes. Aesthetically it will be much mor e appealing and in keeping with cur r ent industr y tr ends. It is intended that the cour se will look much better with the combination of newer, higher quality turf grass in the fairways and around green complexes. The roughs will be a 419 monoculture versus the multi varieties and invasive species that are currently present. The course is not anticipated to play harder or easier, but traditionally a restoration affects playability positively depending on maintenance practices. Playing conditions should be negligible but the course will have the ability to be set up differently with changes to turf heights in selected locations. Mr. Nicklaus’ intention is to restore and bring back definition that has been lost over time and believes with the current better conditioning the course will play significantly better. Together, with new bunker definition and sand along with the higher level of maintenance practices, the course will look and play differently while the design itself will stay true to the original Jack Nicklaus Signature Design. Q. Will the average guest visiting La Gorce really notice a difference from years past? A. The aver age guest may notice the change even mor e than our member s; tur f quality, playability, conditioning, putting gr een co mplexes, definition between tur f var ieties, newly built bunkers and features together with all of the aesthetic changes proposed in the plan will be positively noticeable. By implementing the plan the course will appear to be a brand new Nicklaus Signature Design. Q. Why does the practice area look substantially similar to the current area? The concept for improvement is sound and will significantly improve the look and feel with new turf, target greens, bunkering, grading and shaping refinements that all will be much more apparent in the finished product than depicted in the current story board. Definition and enhancement, along with better conditioning, will result in a dramatic difference in the finished product. What now looks old and tired will look new and revitalized with the restoration.
Question and Answers‌ Q. Is the problem with the practice area overuse or improper construction? A. Over use in cer tain ar eas, pr imar ily due to the size of the chipping ar eas, which is planned to be enlar ged significantly. Wh ile we do not believe any of the ar eas wer e improperly constructed the expansion of the chipping areas and reduction in total greens square footage will address this problem by offering more hitting area. In addition, the driving range tee will be also be laser graded to a 1% slope making it essentially flat, providing a great level hitting surface, and will be re-surfaced with Celebration Bermuda which makes divot repair a much more rapid process. During the high season when turf recuperates more slowly the tee gets the most use and therefore shows increased signs of wear. By implementing more intense maintenance practices there will also be a dramatic positive effect on the condition of the tee surface.
THE PROCESS: Q. Why are we hiring KemperSports to manage the golf course restoration project? Why can't our new superintendent simply handle the project as part of his job description-doesn't he have extensive experience overseeing the construction or rebuild of courses? A. J im Br own has golf cour se r estor ation and r enovation exper ience and will play an integr al par t in achieving a successful outc ome, especially befor e constr uction begins and during the grow-in phase. However, in addition to overseeing the restoration of the golf course, KemperSports was hired to objectively validate the scope of improvements, coordinate the consultant team, including Nicklaus Design, irrigation designer, landscape architect, project engineer as well as explore various permitting requirements. Considering the complex and high profile nature of this project and the Board’s commitment to a thorough validation and due diligence it was determined that having a dedicated and experienced project manager was in the best interest of the membership. The independent nature of the project manager role allows for greater checks and balances and a level of assurance that a disciplined project management process is employed to ensure the successful timely completion of the project. Q. Has KemperSports managed this type of process before and to what extent? A. Kemper Spor ts has managed the design, r estor ation, per mitting, and constr uction of mor e than 30 golf cour ses acr oss the United States. Q. How many courses specifically has KemperSports worked on with Nicklaus?
A. Five Q. What input did the Board have in the restoration of the course? A. The boar d r eviewed pr ogr ess design concepts thr oughout the pr ocess and evaluated r ecommendations fr om Nicklaus Design. Dr awin gs wer e r eviewed at 50% , 75% and 100% completion. Ultimately the Board approved the final design documents. Additionally, the Board was instrumental in bringing Mr. Nicklaus to the course on April 10, 2015 to present his design to the members and to conduct a hole by hole review of the golf course with the entire membership. Q. We have redone our bunkers and practice areas several times - What will be different this time? Why do we think it will be better?
A. With r egar d to the bunker s, the gr een complexes ar e being completely r estor ed to r eshape, r econtour and r eestablish the r elat ionship of the bunker s to the putting surfaces consistent with Mr. Nicklaus’ original design. In addition, the bunker reconstruction will include new drainage, bunker liners which have failed and the replacement of contaminated sand to enhance playability, maintainability and create consistency throughout the golf course. The practice range tee and practice range target area will be regraded, new drainage will be added, and all areas will be regrassed consistent with the turfgrass species used on the golf course. In addition, the landing area of the range will be constructed with new target greens and bunkers to provide target areas and give a more golf course like look and feel. In the practice chipping area the practice green will be smaller than the current underutilized green allowing for a larger chipping area. In addition, the practice bunkers and surrounding areas are designed to replicate shots experienced on the golf course making this area more representative of actual on course conditions.
Question and Answers… Q. After previous obstacles and project derailments, why should we trust that this time it will go as planned? A. The Boar d is awar e of past issues and the fir st step to ensur ing a successful outcome was to hir e pr ofessional pr oject manage ment. In the past, pr ojects wer e unsuccessfully coordinated with in-house resources that may not have had the expertise required to manage complex projects. KemperSports has over 30 years of experience in all facets of golf course restoration, renovation and construction and has worked with numerous golf course architects including Nicklaus, Palmer, Norman, Coore and Crenshaw as well as Doak and Hanse. Q. Explain the exact scope of the golf course restoration to ensure we have secured the best pricing for the work being done. A. The scope of the golf cour se r estor ation wor k is a completely new ir r igation system and pump station, r ebuilt putting gr eens, bunker s (gr eens and fair ways), tee grading, shaping, and enlarging, new drainage where needed, widened cart paths and relocated cart path where required, tree removal and relocation, golf course and perimeter landscape, practice area and range, and new grassing throughout the golf course; tees, green, fairways, and roughs. KemperSports has reviewed all elements of the design and overseen the design process to ensure effective, yet economical processes, and suggested revisions where appropriate. KemperSports is responsible for overseeing a competitive bid process using the best qualified contractors available to ensure the lowest responsible pricing for the work in the market at this time.
Q. Who will be responsible for the grow-in period, a contractor or the La Gorce staff? A. The pr oject is str uctur ed for gr ow-in to be accomplished using La Gorce’s maintenance staff.
TIMING: Q. Is it necessary to close the golf course on March 21, 2016? A. Yes. It is cr itical given the shor t window we have to per for m a substantial amount of wor k in or der to commit to the complet ion and opening date of November 1, 2016. The work must begin as soon as possible in the spring to allow for the greatest opportunity for success maximizing the amount of the growing season. Any additional time gained at the end of the project will not help as the optimal growing season is July – October. Work must begin as early as possible and in turn planting begin as early as possible to ensure the greatest opportunity of success given the scope of the project. Q. Why will the golf course be closed for so long? A. Ir r igation, dr ainage, gr eens and tee constr uction, and gr assing will be completed in the fir st 4 months of the pr oject with a completion on or about August 1, 2015. Grow-in and maturation of turf surfaces will require a minimum of 12 weeks in order to produce a mature playing surface. Q. Can we do this project in two phases so we always have 9 holes available? A. Yes. But it would be mor e disr uptive and mor e expensive. The cour se would need to be closed two consecutive year s leading to additional disr uption to member s and guests and loss of revenue. In addition past experience shows that playing members tend to not support 9-hole play. Two construction periods also creates additional expense as there are no economies of scale due to changes in construction and mobilization cost. Finally, staging the project tends to create an extended period of member dissatisfaction as the course, Club and surrounding areas are in disarray for an extended period of time.
Question and Answers‌ LANDSCAPING: Q. Please explain the landscaping plan? Exactly what type of landscaping and beautification can we expect from this project? A. The landscape plans include per imeter landscape and golf cour se landscape. The intent of the perimeter landscape is to filter and soften the impact of views from the golf course to surrounding homes and backyard areas. Especially near the tees, greens and landing zones or turning points. A combination of shrubs, accents, trees and palms are proposed to complement the existing plantings along the perimeter and provide consistency and uniformity. The proposed golf course landscape predominantly occurs around the tees and greens. Each area is unique but the intent is to provide enclosure when needed, to enhance and define these areas as needed and to create interest with a variety of texture and color. Most of the proposed golf course landscape is located in areas being cleared and regraded for the proposed golf course improvements. Q. Why will we be uprooting so many trees and plants and what exactly will they be replaced with? A. Most of the tr ee and shr ub r emoval occur s in ar eas impacted by the golf cour se impr ovements and many of the tr ees in these de molition ar eas ar e being r ecommended for relocation, not removal. Also, trees that are diseased or in poor condition due to age or structure are recommended for removal. Q. What will be planted in the retention areas? A. Not much is changing with the r etention ar eas except wher e they impact the play of the golf course and will be modified by Nicklaus Design. We will work with Nicklaus in the field as the design and construction is implemented for these areas and replant where needed with plant species appropriate for the site conditions. Most of the retention areas will remain with the existing Fakahatchee grass although a number of other native grasses and plants are being used for variety and texture throughout. Q. Are there plans to reduce any currently maintained areas? A. Cur r ently ther e ar e no plans to r educe maintained ar eas. Ther e will be changes to maintenance pr actices along the per imeter w ith newly landscaped ar eas and ar eas throughout the golf course that may not have turf but will be landscaped as described above but the changes in turf coverage will be negligible. Q. Will there be new waste areas? What happened to the plan with Coquina? A. No, the golf cour se r estor ation plan does not cr eate new waste ar eas. The current plan does not include new Coquina areas. These areas were part of the golf course design improvements in earlier concepts, but have since been abandoned.
IRRIGATION: Q. Will our watering costs increase with the new irrigation system? If so, how much? A. We ar e pr ojecting that our water expense will r emain the same excluding r ate incr eases. Although we will be water ing 25% mor e tur f and golf ar ea, we expect the added efficiencies of the new irrigation system and better coverage and control will allow us to mitigate the additional irrigation needed.
COST: Q. How much is the golf course project going to cost? A. As or iginally stated the cost is anticipated at $8M - $10M.
Question and Answers‌ Q. How do proposed costs stack up against what is transpiring at Riviera Country Club, which seems to be doing far more work than is proposed at La Gorce at a seemingly lower cost? ($8M) A. Ther e ar e many contr ibuting factor s to the over all cost of any pr oject many of which we do not know with r egar d to Rivier a. A few cost example variations start with a Jack Nicklaus Signature Design vs. Kipp Schulties Design. There is typically a premium for using a well-known signature architect, not only in fee, but in cost of the work. Our understanding is that the golf course portion at Riviera is $5.5M and irrigation is $2.5M for a total of $8.0M. We have received no hard evidence to verify this amount. While we have not confirmed, we understand that the golf course area at Riviera is approximately 80 acres and the area at La Gorce is 125 acres, a difference of 45 acres. Bunker reconstruction at La Gorce is 200,000 square feet and Riviera may be 80,000 square feet as is the case in most typical course designs. We do not know how Riviera is accounting for soft costs, consulting fees, design fees, permitting fees or contingency. Additionally, we have reviewed the tree relocation, but are unclear as to the extent of landscaping or the full extent of the irrigation design. KemperSports believes that the pricing received at La Gorce will be appropriate and proportionate to the scope of the work. Additionally, many of the contractors we will be receiving bids from are some of the same contractors as those who have been awarded the Riviera project contracts. Q. What does it cost to grass the fairways and rough?
A. The total budget for grassing is $800,000. It is anticipated that the cost per acr e is $7,000 including existing tur f r emova l, fine gr ade and pr epar ation, pr eplant amendments and fertilizer, 15 acres of sod installation, and sprigging Bermuda grass. Fairway at 28 acres is $196,000 and rough at 80 acres = $560,000.
FUNDING: Q. How are we going to fund the golf course restoration project? A. Member s of Kemper Spor ts, the Finance Committee, and the Boar d have r eviewed multiple financial models which use a combination cash in the Club’s Designated Funds and bank debt to fund the restoration, with golf members assessed to cover the principal and interest payments on the bank debt. As drafted and approved by the Board and Finance Committee, the plan to fund the golf course restoration is a one-time assessment of $5,500 for all Golf Members, which may be financed over seven years. Q. Are the golfing members the only ones paying for the project? A. As cur r ently modeled, yes. Q. Why are social members being asked to contribute for a golf course project? A. As cur r ently modeled, only golf member s ar e being asked to contr ibute. Q. How will the grow-in costs be financed? Will they be capitalized? A. Gr ow-in costs will be capitalized as part of the Golf Course restoration and repaid through Designated Funds.
Question and Answers‌ STAFF: Q. What will happen to our employees during the golf course closure? A. In all depar tments our intent is to r etain all key staff and have for ecasted for r easonable vacation time and staffing adjust ments in or der to successfully r etain all of our staff that are essential to course and clubhouse operations. We will continue regular operations in food and beverage, athletics, tennis and pool. Those areas will only be affected by the anticipated lower volumes of business. In those operating areas we will continue to offer our normal hours of operation and staff primarily with our long term key employees in order to retain those individuals. We anticipate ramping down our staffing levels through attrition leading up to the closure, monitoring staffing levels and balancing schedules accordingly. In addition, we intend to cross utilize individuals between departments as much as possible and also develop project work assignments in order to do our best to maintain the staff’s necessary hours and income. In the golf operations and golf course maintenance departments we fully intend to retain our key staff. We will continue to staff the pro shop operations with our key staff. In addition to daily shop responsibilities, they will also assist our members with reciprocal tee time arrangements and we intend to organize regular member golf excursions that they will host. As with the other operating areas in both operations and golf course maintenance, we anticipate ramping down our staffing levels through attrition leading up to the closure, monitoring staffing levels and balancing schedules accordingly. In addition, we intend to cross utilize individuals between departments as much as possible and also develop project work assignments in order to do our best to maintain the staffs necessary hours and income. Q. Assuming that we retain staff during the golf course closure, what financial support levels should be considered? A. All hour s will be incor por ated into our oper ational budget and payr oll expenses.
DAILY OPERATIONS: Q. What will happen to the operations at the club during the golf course construction? A. As mentioned above we will maintain all clubhouse, athletics, tennis and pool oper ations assuming a 50-75% reduction in revenue within our food and beverage outlets. Q. What operations in the club will continue to be open and operational? A. All oper ations will r emain open, other than full golf oper ations and full golf cour se maintenance. Q. What fees, if any, should be r educed dur ing the golf cour se closur e? Dr iving Range / Locker / Food Minimum? A. Range fees will be r educed by half and all other fees will r emain in place.
RECIPROCITY: Q. What arrangements have been made for our members to play at other clubs or courses? A. Golf staff has wor ked har d to establish r elationships with other clubs, as a r esult we have an extensive list of r ecipr ocal clubs and that list is available in the pr o shop. As always, if you are interested in playing other golf courses, contact our golf professional staff and we will make the arrangements on your behalf.
Question and Answers… MISCELLANEOUS: Q. Last year there was mention of building a learning/teaching center, is that still part of the plan? A. Cur r ently we ar e not including a lear ning/teaching center in the golf cour se r estoration pr oject. We have asked the Kemper Sp or ts pr oject management team to investigate options prior to the Board recommending any action to the membership. Q. What is the plan for the clubhouse improvements project the membership was surveyed on earlier this year? A. Cur r ently the House Committee and Boar d is actively investigating the clubhouse space utilization and explor ing options in r e gar ds to impr ovements, but at this point in time we are not in a position to make any definitive recommendations. There are currently no major clubhouse renovations planned during the golf course closure.
RO: Q. Is the Board considering redoing the RO plant? A. Cur r ently, the Club has only one sour ce of ir r igation water r elying solely on pur chasing ir r igation water fr om the City of Mi ami Beach. This sour ce and the cur rent costs are not guaranteed into the future; therefore, as responsible stewards of the Club, the Board has asked KemperSports to investigate the feasibility of using the RO plant for irrigation purposes. KemperSports has completed only preliminary due diligence of the current equipment and no determination has been made as to the viability of using the existing RO plant to produce irrigation water. The RO plant is not part of the current proposed golf course restoration project.
POST RESTORATION: Q. When should we expect to have to do the following again? A. Gener al: 15 – 30 years on infrastructure components such as irrigation and pump station. 15-30 years on greens and tees. 20 years on fairways and roughs. Practice tee – per superintendent recommendation should be leveled and replanted every 3-5 years to meet member expectations.
New irrigation
10 - 30 years depending on maintenance commitment
New fairways
20 years
New greens
15 - 30 years
New tee boxes
15-20 years
Notes:
La Gorce Country Club 5685 Alton Road Miami Beach, Florida 33140