You’ve navigated the initial stages of your golf course renovation checklist. Now, the spotlight shifts to a crucial component: assembling your team. In the world of renovation, success hinges on the people you choose to bring your vision to life.
The Right Team Shares Your Goals
Before the first shovel hits the ground, revert to our first item on the checklist: identifying what propels your project forward.
Whether it’s an aesthetic enhancement or an infrastructure fix, understanding your project’s primary driver sets the tone for your team’s expertise requirements. Choose a team that aligns with your project’s goals. The right people are out there, but sifting through your candidates can be an art unto itself. Assemble your team with what will feel like an over-analytical amount of care. You can never be “too” thorough.
Assembling a Team for Success
Identifying your team is a critical aspect of the golf course renovation process. This involves determining the necessary professionals, as well as understanding permitting requirements of relevant jurisdictions. Questions emerge: Who should be brought into the project? Are permits necessary? What jurisdictions must be navigated, and how long will this process take?
Time and financial resources are extremely important, and there should be a strong emphasis on starting as early as possible. When planning a renovation, a Club must recognize the need for ample lead time.
For projects that do not require a large team, a specialized consultant could be a valuable addition. A consultant can offer expertise in navigating design challenges that are particularly beneficial when the project doesn’t warrant the full services of a golf architect. The key takeaway here is that assembling the right team and understanding the permitting landscape are pivotal components that demand careful consideration and early action in the golf course renovation journey.
The Power of a Thoughtful Team Assembly
In the world of golf course construction and renovation, time is an invaluable asset. As you take the first steps on the journey of assembling your team, give yourself the gift of time. This allows you and your team to thoroughly vet every potential hire. Rushing this process can set your project back by months and potentially lead to costly mistakes.
Don’t let a rush jeopardize your renovation’s success. Take the time to build a team that ensures every aspect of your project is handled with more than enough expertise. Recent growth in the industry has forced earlier than typical onboarding for team members. It has also brought a new batch of “experts” with little to no experience. Navigating the candidates requires an understanding of the resources necessary to complete the work.
The Costly Move of Mid-Project Team Adjustments
The golf course construction and renovation industry is relatively small considering the huge footprint of the game. Consultants and contractors who’ve been in the business for any measurable amount of time will likely have collaborated with one another at some point. Going a step further, there is often some degree of cross-pollinations between resources which can be both a blessing and a curse.
Building the right team from the start will save you time, money and some headaches. However, there may be instances when a change needs to be made to the team during the project. Your project manager should see these instances coming and, as the head coach, have contingency plans in place.
The project manager has the experience to evaluate the movements of contractors and allied consultants and make a determination if there’s a weak link or someone is falling behind. Only experience can lead to this type of foresight.
In golf course renovation, success is a team effort. From understanding your project’s aspirations to assembling a team that breathes life into your vision, strategic planning with ample time is absolutely crucial. As you begin on your renovation journey, remember that each decision shapes the course’s future.