Golf Course update (excerpts from annual letter to members)

Shannon Donlon
General Manger & PGA Head Golf Professional
July 10, 2016
 
Dear Golf Course Member,
....
 
With drought restrictions still in place, Course Superintendent Ken Williams continues to make every effort to reduce water while maintaining playability.  Over 350 sprinkler heads were completely cut off on the course last year.  This practice will continue through the remainder of 2016 and into 2017.  Perimeter areas on the course and range will continue to brown through the hot summer and fall months.  Areas in front of the teeing ground will also become increasingly dry and brown.  Water usage was decreased by 10% in 2014 and an additional 15% in 2015.   We will continue the aggregate 25% reduction from the 2013 water usage baseline. 
 
The Siebel Varsity Golf Training Complex (SVGTC) was renovated and a new Stanford Varsity Golf Clubhouse was completed.  Both were opened in the spring of this year.  Three golf course and driving range projects were also approved and funded in the past year.  Please see the following pages for the project descriptions and updates.  A special thank you to the many Stanford Golf Course and Varsity Program supporters whose generous contributions have made these improvements possible. 
 
PROJECT UPDATES
Athletic Department representatives in conjunction with Stanford’s Project Management team, Vance Brown Builders, Colony Landscape and Beau Welling Design are making every effort to improve golf facilities within budget and University parameters.  A special thank you to the dedicated efforts of all contributors; (1) Golf Course Steering Committee, (2) Golf Course Advisory Committee , (3) Owners, Architects and Contractors Strategic Team, (4) Golf Course, Range & SVGTC Management team and (5) Golf Course, Range and SVGTC staff. 
 
Project 1 – The Stanford Golf Learning Center (LC)
The existing Driving Range building will be demolished and replaced with a brand new facility; The Stanford Golf Learning Center (LC).  The LC includes improved retail space, ADA restrooms, office space and a small food and beverage operation.  The new facility includes a secondary structure, The Performance Center which includes state of the art golf training technology and indoor-to-outdoor covered hitting bays.   The LC will provide increased opportunities for golf students and professional instructors to optimize game improvement.  The Range will not close during construction however the footprint will be significantly reduced with fewer range mats, limited retail and limited parking. 
Estimated project length

• Late May 2016 through mid-February 2017.
• Building demolition is scheduled for July 5-6, 2016.

Number of open range mats during construction

• 18 mats are open on the front side of the range.

• 16 mats are open on the back side of the range for PE/REC Classes & private instruction

Parking

• The existing range parking lot is not currently available. Lyman Residence lot adjacent to range is available at specific times. 
• 12 newly created parking spaces were made available behind the remaining mat tee line.  
• Currently developing a method to ensure “range parking spaces” are reserved for range customers.
• Allow extra time for pre-round warm-up prior to starting times at the golf course & please inform your guests.
• Golf instruction students must find parking in available range spaces or in Lyman Residence lot.
• Lyman Residence lot requires a “WE” or “C” permit from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Monday through Friday.
• No permit is required before 8:00 AM, after 4:00 PM or on weekends.
• Only instructors and range employees may park on the asphalt road adjacent to the grass teaching area.

PE & Recreation Classes

• No reduction in number or size of classes.
• Classes have moved to the back of the range during peak times.

Range entrance & temporary set-up

• Ball dispenser is staged on the asphalt road at the far left side of the range.
• Entry to the range is located at the far left side of the range.
• Limited retail, snacks and beverages are available for purchase.

Utilities Trenching

• Trenching from the Lyman Residence parking lot, across the driveway to the new building is currently underway and expected to be completed by July 8, 2016.

Signage

• Signage is posted to direct customers to the temporary set-up & range entrance.
• “Driving Range Only Parking” signs for the newly created parking will be posted by July 15, 2016.

 
Project 2 – Cart Storage Facility & Parking Lot Extension
A new Cart Storage Facility will be built beyond the lower lot between the pump house and the tenth tee.  The new facility will be a simple post and beam structure surrounded by fencing material.  The facility will have the capacity to charge and store 96 electric vehicles; thereby reducing the number of gas powered carts currently in the fleet.  A new fleet of electric carts will replace the gas powered carts.  Also featured in the new structure will be increased storage capacity for golf event staging equipment, catering equipment, dry goods and retail receiving.   The temporary gas cart storage facility located beyond the lower lot has been demolished.  The lower parking lot will be extended providing up to 20 additional parking spaces on pavement. 
Estimated project length

• 12-14 weeks.
• Estimated completion date is September 15, 2016.

 Disruptions

• Trenching; a trench will be cut through the main parking lot (lower and upper) to tie into the main sewer located on Junipero Serra Boulevard (JSB).
• Trench construction begins on July 6.  Trench project duration is estimated at 3-4 weeks.  The work will begin nearest JSB on Links Road.  Trench project completion is partly determined by complexities relative to underground utilities.   
• Hours of disruption are 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM daily during the length of the trenching project.
• Metal plates will cover the construction zone when workers are not present.

Traffic flow and flaggers

• Trenching will occur in phases; flaggers will be present each day to control the flow of traffic.
• Special attention and extra staff will be on hand at peak times.
• Allow extra time prior to your golf course tee time.

Truck traffic and steel delivery

• Truck traffic will continue daily through the upper and lower lot for the duration of the project.
• Steel delivery is currently estimated mid-August.
• Contractors are sending a logistics coordinator to determine the best method and timing of steel delivery.
• Consideration will be given to the tournament and event schedule.

Event impact

• Cart staging for events may be impacted on specific days, particularly mid-week.
• Casey Hall & Herman McKee will be reaching out to event chairpersons directly regarding event impact. 

Signage

• Signage will be posted to direct customers around construction zones.
• Tow away signs and parking restrictions will be posted prior to steel delivery.

 
 Project 3 – Golf Course Irrigation Replacement & Bunker Improvements
The current golf course irrigation system is 30 years old.  It is highly recommended by industry professionals that irrigation systems be improved and/or replaced between 15 and 20 years.  In addition, golf course bunkers, both fairway and greenside need improvement.  Approvals to proceed with this project have been granted.  Funding for the project has also been identified.  The full scope of the project has not been finalized at this time.  The Stanford Project Manager in conjunction with design teams and engineers is currently working to finalize the scope of the project within budget and University parameters. 
 
Estimated project length

• Due to the nature of this project and impact to the many constituents who enjoy the golf course, a dedicated and regular communication specific to this project will be provided as information and updates become available.

 
As we move forward with these projects, we ask that you be patient with us during the disruptions and potential project delays.  The door is open for any and all questions.  We are excited about what the future holds at the Stanford Golf Course and look forward to the new and improved facilities for all to enjoy.   I am available by telephone or e-mail for questions regarding the project at most any time.  There may be a need for me to refer some inquiries directly to the Project Manager, Mark Bonino or Deputy Athletic Director, Ray Purpur.
 
Warmest regards,
 
Shannon Donlon
 
PROJECT CONTACTS
Mark Bonino, Project Manager                                                                                             
Stanford Lands, Buildings and Real Estate
650.723.0022                                                                                                                                                           mbonino@stanford.edu                                                                                               
Ray Purpur, Deputy Athletic Director
Department of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation
650.723.1820
rpurpur@stanford.edu
Shannon Donlon, General Manager
Stanford Golf Course
650.721.9288
sdonlon@stanford.edu