Golf courses are dynamic, manmade, living and breathing recreational landscapes that are constantly evolving, given Mother Nature, player usage and maintenance influences. There are situations where a fresh, new-look and wholesale changes and improvements are needed. While in other cases, minor "tweaking" is desired that can embellish a given course's original design, appearance and playability.

Each course is unique in its location, design and shot making challenges confronting the golfer, yet, a common thread binds them all. Golf courses offer great pleasure to many people and provide positive environmental attributes. Their beauty and attitude is woven together comprising many different fabrics. The challenge for the golf course architect is to work cooperatively with the owner(s) in the effort to marry the good qualities and enhance the less than ideal situations into a refined course that respects the traditions and pleasures of the game, while considering the advancements of equipment, turfgrass, player skill and maintenance practices.

The original course designer's style should be evaluated and considered as part of the improvement program. If deviation from the original architect's design is desired; proposed changes can be accomplished in a manner that honors the intent and signatures of its designer, or redesign of the features can create a whole new look and strategy altogether.

This study will aid in recapturing the flavor of the course's features by sensitively adjusting the layout in concert with today's player abilities and turfgrass maintenance practices. Typically, the desire to improve the course is best mapped out by the development of a well crafted Master Plan. The Master Planning Process can be developed from topographic mapping and aerial photography.

A. John Harvey's Bio

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