Key Points
Site clearing should be done in a measured and deliberate way to ensure that nothing of potential value is removed from the site.
Thought should be given to how the debris from clearing can be repurposed elsewhere. This can save money and enhance the wildlife potential of the golf course.
It is important that wildlife corridors are considered and maintained.
During the design process, the golf course architect will likely prepare many routing plans before settling on a final one. The routing plan is a tool to conceptualize how the golf holes will relate to one another and also to the other existing and proposed elements of the development. One of the primary functions of the routing plan is to pinpoint locations for the proposed back tees, primary landing areas, and greens, at a set scale and with consideration for the site topography and any other relevant site characteristics (e.g. wetlands, specimen vegetation, utilities that can’t be relocated, viewsheds, etc.). Since vegetation can obscure smaller site features and may even make parts of the site inaccessible to the golf course architect during the design phase, the final routing plan is actually more like the golf course architect’s best guess (within a reasonable margin of error) as to where these key features will ultimately be located.
When the golf course builder begins working on the site, one of the first tasks will be to have the proposed back tees, primary landing areas, and greens (known as primary reference points) located by the surveyor (or grade checker) and clearly identified. This is also known as centerline staking. These points will serve as reference points for much of the duration of the project so they should be easy to see from a few hundred yards away and fairly durable. Below is a detail showing a common method of designating these primary reference points.
Additional Site Preparation Tasks, Phase 1 Clearing & Grubbing
Before wide-scale clearing can begin, the golf course builder must also mark the edge of disturbance, limits of environmentally sensitive areas or vegetation, and site boundaries. The golf course builder will install protective fencing in areas that will be prone to erosion and also to protect any outstanding vegetation or environmentally or culturally sensitive areas that should not be disturbed. Finally, the golf course builder will perform “Phase 1” clearing and grubbing by removing all branches, brush, grass, roots, rocks, trash, shrubs, stumps, and other material that is unsuitable for a uniform playing surface from a swath along the centerlines of the holes, i.e. between the centerline stakes (a detail with commonly used dimensions is shown below). This initial clearing will give the golf course architect a clear line of site so he or she can review the final routing plan and begin to make small adjustments as necessary, based on previously unseen views, landforms, and vegetation.
A view down a golf hole centerline during Phase 1 clearing
Phase 2 Clearing & Grubbing
With the completion and approval by the golf course architect of the “Phase 1” clearing and grubbing, “Phase 2” clearing and grubbing can begin. This is the same process but the clearing starts from where “Phase 1” ended outward to within ~30 feet (10-meters) of the limit of disturbance (detail below). During this phase of clearing and grubbing, specimen trees will be identified and protected (ideally with protective fencing) while all other large trees will be cut down with their timber salvaged for sale or later use. The exposed topsoil should be carefully removed to a depth recommended by the consulting agronomist and stockpiled in an out-of-the-way location at this time.
The unwanted material that has been removed, and that cannot be sold or salvaged, during the first two phases of clearing and grubbing should be stockpiled and (if possible) reused. Otherwise, it should be disposed of away from the area of work so it does not interfere with upcoming earthmoving operations, complicate drainage and irrigation installation, and potentially lead to future ground settlement and maintenance headaches.
Selective Clearing
Finally, in a process known as “Selective Clearing” (detail below), the golf course architect will carefully inspect the area between the “Phase 2” clearing limit and the outer limit of disturbance to flag any vegetation that he or she wants protected and saved. The purpose of this exercise is to preserve and highlight some vegetation (for an “irregular edge”) but also to clear away extraneous vegetation to allow for enough free movement of air and sunlight to encourage healthy turf on the edges of the golf holes. All undergrowth and debris should also be cleared from within this area to allow golfers to find and play errant shots.
Opportunities for Sustainability
The golf course architect should take every opportunity to salvage, save, and reuse the material removed during clearing operations. Off-site transport for disposal should be the last resort. Some examples of what can be done with the material salvaged from clearing operations:
Larger trees can be sold or used as fuel or building materials;
Smaller trees can be used as fuel or made into wood chips to be used elsewhere on the golf course or in the greater development;
Shrubs can be mulched to be used elsewhere in the greater development;
Debris can be buried in out-of-play and unmaintained areas (where settlement won’t matter) to create interesting landforms and reduce the need to import fill material;
Debris can be piled in out-of-play areas to create habitats for wildlife (as directed by a wildlife expert).
Woodpiles make for excellent wildlife habitats
Sustainability in Protecting Wildlife Corridors
Ideally, during planning, the golf course architect should also think about maintaining and protecting wildlife corridors, and he or she should definitely be cognizant of them throughout clearing operations. A GEO-accredited expert or other trained specialist can be hired to assist with this process.
A wildlife corridor is defined as: “A link of wildlife habitat, generally native vegetation, which joins two or more larger areas of similar wildlife habitat. Corridors are critical for the maintenance of ecological processes including allowing for the movement of animals and the continuation of viable populations.” (https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/nature/landholderNotes15WildlifeCorridors.pdf)
Maintaining appropriately wide wildlife corridors will help to ensure the on-going viability of ecosystems and individual populations that exist on the site in its native state.
Contact Sustain Golf for more information!
The European Institute of Golf Course Architects (EIGCA), in partnership with the GEO Foundation, has developed a continuing professional development program for its members called Raising the Standard of Sustainable Golf Course Development, or RSSGCD. This is the industry’s only structured program in the world to specifically train golf course architects in sustainable golf course design, construction, and maintenance best practices. A Sustain Golf team member has attained Stage 3 of this rigorous program.
A Sustain Golf team member is also currently serving on the EIGCA’s Sustainability Committee and is a GEO Certified Accredited Sustainability Verifier.
We firmly believe that common sense sustainable design, construction, and maintenance practices are the keys to the long-term survival of the game of golf. We aspire to be on the leading edge of applying sustainability concepts to golf course design, construction, and maintenance.
We will spend every day for the duration of the project on-site and/or coordinating with all contractors, subcontractors and professional consultants to be sure that no opportunities are lost and that the best golf course for your property is realized.
We would be happy to make recommendations or answer any questions that you might have about typical design documentation or the tender process. Visit www.SustainGolf.com or contact us at the following address for more information: Contact@SustainGolf.com.
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Step 7: Bulk Earthwork
Sustain Golf is a collaborative group of like-minded qualified golf course architects. We are also qualified and experienced as civil engineers, vertical architects, and project managers. We have the breadth and diversity of experience and knowledge to offer a full suite of golf course design and construction services, from first concept to opening day on your new or remodeled golf course.
References:
Hurdzan, Dr. Michael J. Golf Course Architecture: Design, Construction & Restoration. Chelsea, MI: Sleeping Bear Press, 1996.
Photo Credit for Phase 1 Clearing: Ronald Fream
Peer Review:
Dr. Keith Duff, former UK government wildlife agency Chief Scientist, current Golf Environment Consultant
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