Lohmann Companies

In February, on the pages of golfcourseindustry.com, we went public with our plans to replace the traditional master plan process with what we believe is a more efficient framework for renovation, the Cost-Benefit Action Plan. We even went so far as to say, tongue in cheek, that the master plan was dead — long live the CBAP!

The responses were great. We really touched a nerve, but in a good way.

Recently we added another component in GCI that we didn’t detail nearly enough in February: To really examine your golf course through the lens of a CBAP, you have to divide your course into cost centers: greens, tees, fairways, bunkers, drainage, etc. Then you have to ask, “Well, what’s wrong with the greens, the tees, etc.?” That leads to a consideration of what the ideal situation would be. Take greens as an example: We might be talking roll, speed, consistency (of both) from month to month, the ability to survive a hot, wet August, and so on. These are the specific standards superintendents and their owners must consider: “What do we want out of our greens. Are we achieving this? If not, why not?”

How many of you out there have taken the time to create standards for your golf course. If not, why not? We'd love to hear your stories... good, bad or otherwise.