(Added to website 9/28/24)
Summary Provided by RFRS Club Member
Lee Leksell, presented the Golf Committee’s recommendations for the renovation of the Preserve Course.
To proceed, it is crucial that we establish funding in advance. Troon has already factored in potential revenue loss in their estimates. The committee supports the creation of a designated fund to accumulate the necessary resources by 2029.
Here is the proposed timeline for the renovation:
For the two-year option, the course would be closed for 5-6 months each summer instead of the 8 months for the 1 year approach.
Selecting a reliable contractor is essential for timely delivery. We recommend including a clause in the contract stipulating that if they miss the growing season, they will cover the costs for sodding. A project manager is essential and Troon will implement weekly meetings to ensure all parties remain aligned and on track, a lesson learned from the challenges faced with the MV project.
Troon has provided three architect recommendations and additional designer options. The process typically takes 4-6 months to prepare for bidding, with bids requested one year in advance. All bids will include clearly defined material costs to justify any potential price increases.
The greens were last renovated in 2015, and they are showing signs of age. Originally scheduled for work in 2022, we may need to allocate some funds for interim maintenance if renovations are delayed until 2029.
It’s worth noting that the contractor from the MV project paid $210K in liquidated damages, which helped mitigate some of our losses.
We are considering modifications to the bunkers. By reducing the number and size of the remaining bunkers, we can decrease maintenance costs, as they require more resources in both Labor and Materials than the greens. We will encourage the architects to focus on operational efficiencies in their designs.
For the irrigation system, we recommend using HDPE pipe instead of PVC. This material is fused, minimizing failure points, and allows for faster installation. Moreover, it is often comparable in cost to PVC or even lower.
In conclusion, the proposed renovations aim to enhance the Preserve Course’s overall playability while reducing long-term operational costs. However, these plans are contingent upon securing appropriate funding and selecting a qualified contractor.