Ranfurlie Proposed Plan of Works – Driving Range/Elfresco Update
Published on 15th June 2016 in UncategorizedRanfurlie Proposed Plan of Works+
NEW DRIVING RANGE and ELFRESCO FACILITY
For Concept plans PLEASE CLICK HERE
It is an honour to preside over the board during such an exciting time in our Club’s history. With debt now paid off, the Club is now in a position of operating cash surpluses being available to fund capital works.
Over the next 18 months, the sale proceeds from the Park course will be received.
With proper planning, consultation with members and sound financial modelling we will seek to best utilise our resources to ensure our club will stay strong for the future.
This communication outlines the proposed plan for works at Ranfurlie.
The key elements of the plan are as follows:
- A tree planting program which in time will have a significant positive impact on the course.
- Infrastructure works to provide for security of water supply for irrigation of the Ranfurlie Course – Ranfurlie is currently irrigated from the Park course dam and pump and irrigation system infrastructure, which will all have to be decommissioned as part of the Park Course sale (note that the Park infrastructure is nearing the end of its useful life anyway). The key elements of the new infrastructure works are:
- Imminent construction of a new 24 megalitre dam to meet water storage requirements at Ranfurlie
- Stormwater extraction infrastructure at the Park to capture Brookland Greens runoff – a cheap source of water that will provide much of the Ranfurlie irrigation requirements
- A new recycle water connection and meter to support an increase in allocation from the existing 60meg to 80 megalitres per annum to ensure access to sufficient additional water during dry summers
- Pumps and state of the art irrigation system infrastructure at Ranfurlie, including a shed to house them.
- There is only one place that a Ranfurlie dam of sufficient size can be located. This will impact the 9th hole and the practice fairway (see attached plan). These elements of plan will be funded from the proceeds of the sale of the Park course, as they are a direct result of the sale and closure of the Park course.
- Construction (underway) of the new teaching room with state of the art teaching facilities, plus a workshop, storage area and ball dispensing machine. This project is part of Club’s capital budget, funded through operating surpluses.
- Improvement of the existing practise fairway for the benefit of members, with a view to also provide for public access.
- The eventual extension of the existing bar with the addition of an alfresco area to best utilize the stunning views offered by our course.
One of the problems facing all golf clubs is declining membership. It is thought that by providing these highly desirable, and top quality facilities, we will make membership more attractive, whilst improving benefits to our existing loyal members.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW CONCEPT PLANS
Costing and payment of the projects
The indicative cost of each committed project is as follows (formal quotes have not yet been finalised for some elements):
Water security at Ranfurlie:
New Dam $425,000
Stormwater extraction, pumping system, irrigation
management system, recycle connection, etc $450,000
9th Hole (design/construction) $230,000
Practice Fairway irrigation, drainage and re-sowing $220,000
Total (to be funded from proceeds of Park sale) $1,325,000
Teaching Room and fit out (to be funded from operations) $200,000
Time line of the projects
The 9th hole/practice fairway project is scheduled to commence in the 1st week of June with the design and technical phase of the project. The first week of July will see the dam being started (subject to all permits being finalised) and herbicide application to the 9th hole and practice fairways. It is planned for the new 9th hole and practice fairway to be opened early 2017.
There will clearly be a number of questions members will have however we have attempted to provide a range of Q&A’s below
Why is the new 9th hole a Par 3 and not a Par 4?
Every possible scenario has been taken into consideration but unfortunately from the area required for the new tee, the length to the corner of the driving range and clubhouse area is simply not long enough for a par 4. This, combined with the location of the 16th green, are both considered to be too dangerous for play and a major risk factor
Why couldn’t it have been a Par 4 hitting over the dam?
Every architect and expert in course design consulted has strongly advised against hitting off or over a dam wall. Most courses which have attempted this have seen very negative results. Furthermore, the style of dam which is required to achieve storage capacity requirements, does not lend itself to this type of tee arrangement.
Won’t the course now be a par 71?
Yes. This is not considered a factor given that 6 of the top 10 courses in the world are a par 70 or 71.
Locally, Royal Melbourne East and Barnbougle Dunes are a par 71 and St Andrews Beach is 70 as are many other leading courses in Australia.
Will there be a temporary hole?
Yes. There will be a temporary green with a bent grass built on the existing 8th fairway. This new 8th hole will be 335 meters in length.
The temporary 9th hole will have a tee off from the existing 8th fairway to the current 8th green and will be approximately 115m.
With the works taking place on the new 9th hole, having a temporary hole to the existing 9th green was not an option.
The existing 19th hole was not deemed suitable and is also required for member’s practice, teaching and for the junior and beginner clinics which are seen as an important part of the club’s future membership drive.
How long will the temporary holes be in play for?
These holes are likely to be in play till early 2017.
Will the practice fairway be closed whilst the new dam is built?
Yes. The range will be completely closed whilst the dam is being constructed with soil being used to level the range out and then it will be drained, irrigated and then properly grassed which was not done when the course was first built.
The range is likely to be closed until early 2017.
Will there be any temporary hitting nets?
Yes. The club has purchased three temporary hitting nets which will be available for members to warm up. The existing 19th hole will still be available although this has to be closed at times that clinics are conducted.
There are two additional elements to the current project which will see the existing number of hitting bays being increased and covered. In addition to this an alfresco area to be located between the clubhouse and existing 9th green is being considered.
Public Access to the Driving Range
The introduction of a state of the art teaching room combined with an improved driving range provides an opportunity to drive visitation and awareness to Ranfurlie, which is considered a crucial part of the Club’s development, as well as to provide an additional income stream.
The board has undertaken a financial analysis of the operation of the driving range that provides a very strong financial case to opening it to public access. Doing so is predicted to conservatively generate an operating annual surplus of $115,000 which represents a strong return on the capital investment in the teaching room and the improvements to all our other Ranfurlie facilities.
Whilst there are no guarantees, significant public usage of the driving range driven by an ideal location and lack of nearby competition, is expected to provide a positive effect on membership growth, through increased exposure of the wonderful golf and clubhouse facilities available at Ranfurlie. Our Management team at GSM have a very strong understanding of how a driving range operates and their financial capabilities.
To reiterate, the 2nd stage of the driving range is planned to provide for public access, in order to improve the Ranfurlie profile, and to increase our club’s income opportunities through trade and membership.
The 2nd stage will increase the number of bays, provide dividers/ barriers, hitting mats and be fully covered. The cost to complete is estimated at $ 355,000 comprising the following.
Driving Range building -additional bays, bay dividers/barriers and roof. $200,000
Range fit out (Mats, ball dispenser / washer/signage /targets $ 60,000
Consumables $ 10,000
Flood Lighting $ 25,000
Perimeter fencing $ 35,000
Landscaping Entrance works pathways & fencing $ 25,000
Total $355,000
Whilst the Board has approved the 2nd Stage in principle, actual final commitment is subject to funding being available. It is intended this will be confirmed in time for the 2nd stage to be completed by the time the range is reopened.
Proposed Operational procedures have not yet been finalised, however members will certainly have benefits over public users particularly on competition days. Limited bays are likely be available to the public on Saturday morning. The peak times expected for the range will be in the afternoon on weekends and evenings mid-week, which should help to ensure that minimal impact is felt by members.
RANGE CONCEPT PHOTOS – CLICK HERE
Additional Projects
There are a range of other projects that the Board has under consideration, but are not finalised, with formal costings yet to be undertaken:
- Increase existing 9th green to complement driving range as a practice facility.
- Construction of cart path around clubhouse area
- Cart parking area
- Outdoor alfresco area
What will be the impact on the Clubhouse?
The longer term view will be to extend the existing bar in the sports bar to provide an area for pro shop services and management of the driving range. It is envisaged that the existing sports bar will be utilised for members and the range users, with the upstairs area to be available for members only use. Trading hours will be extended into the evening and with a much higher usage of the facility, a greater service to members will be offered.
Graeme Percy
President
Amstel Golf Club
June 2016