Phil Cook on Golf Course Design: building, operating and maintaining a golf course in Bastrop

Golf Course Design

By Phil Cook

The Bastrop City Council and senior staff are studying the feasibility of building a 9-hole, par-3 golf course on a 15-acre plat of dedicated park land that it owns.

The plat is adjacent to Chestnut Street and the BISD Performing Arts Center to its west, Cedar Street to its north, Farm Street to its south, and several residences with frontage on Hwy. 95 to it’s east. Gills Branch borders the park land to the east.

Building, operating and maintaining a golf course in Bastrop or anywhere else is not something that should be taken lightly. A golf course is not like other park land: it requires staffing and maintenance every single day

All of the following considerations must be addressed and resolved before such a project is taken on.

Is a 9-hole, par-3 golf course the best use of this property?

About 12% of the U.S. population plays golf: 88% would get no use of the golf course.

This park could be used in many other ways: picnic and playground areas, soccer and other playing fields, basketball courts, tennis courts, walking paths, exercise areas, pavilions for family reunions, a dog park, etc.

            Is a 9-hole, par-3 golf economically feasible?

Golf courses are expensive to build and maintain, much more so than parkland used in traditional ways. A 9-hole, par-3 course will not generate a lot of money.

            Is an adequate, dependable, and quality water source available?

The most likely source of irrigation water is treated effluent from Bastrop’s sewage treatment system. How much of this water is required for the planned

(OVER)

golf course must be carefully calculated: Infrastructure for piping the water from

the sewage treatment facility to the golf course must be built, and a method of storing the water must be built, often in one or more holding ponds on the course.

            Are there enough golfers in the Bastrop area to support a golf course?

This is an important question: Without enough golfers to support the course, it will quickly become a drain on city finances and an economic liability. About 12% of the U. S. plays golf, and a large portion of the 12% play only occasionally

            What additional infrastructure is required?

An irrigation system to distribute the water to where it is needed to water the greens and surrounding grass, and the tee boxes is essential

A club house, internet, phone, and computer systems are needed. Rest rooms, entry ways, and parking must be ADA accessible. Electricity, water, and wastewater hookups are required.

Mowers and maintenance equipment must be purchased and maintained. A storage and maintenance barn must be built for this purpose.

            What staff positions are needed to operate and maintain the golf course?

Golf courses operate daylight to dark, 7 days a week. Weekends and holidays are often the busiest times. Trained, dependable staff, willing to work weekends and holidays, must be present during all operating hours.

___________________________________________________________________

I am an avid golfer. I started golfing when I was 12, and am still “at it” at age 78. I play tournaments with a 9 handicap. I have been a Board member and President of the Austin Golf Association on several occasions, and have served on the City of Austin’s Golf Advisory Board. I was one of the owners of the Bear Country Golf driving range on Hwy. 71. I have lived in Cedar Creek for more than 50 years.

--Phil Cook, philcookz@yahoo.com