Mon Jul 7 2008USA 'Top 10' course opens with 20-year development history
(This story was published in Golf Business News April 2008)
USA 'Top 10' course opens with 20-year development history
After almost 20 years of planning and development with governing bodies in Southern California, The Crossings at Carlsbad, designed by Greg Nash, opened in August 2007. In January 2008, the course was named in the Top 10 new public access courses published in US Golf Magazine.
Located on the coast between Los Angeles and San Diego, Carlsbad is home to the famous Legoland and headquarters to over 20 major golf companies such as Callaway and Titleist. The small Carlsbad community overcame a long series of hurdles from numerous government agencies from the early 1990s to bring its citizens' dream of a public golf course to life. The Crossings' 20-year story outlines some of the issues and obstacles that can arise during development of a golf course.
"Typically, a golf course can be designed and completed within two years if all the elements are favourable for the development", according to Graham Marsh Golf Design's Business Development Manager Craig Coster. "Normally we are experiencing two to three years to accommodate the many constraints that need to be considered in a golf course's development," said Mr Coster.
In 1988, a small group of Carlsbad citizens encouraged the city to develop a recreational facility that included a public golf course. A handfulof sites were earmarked for potential development and their pros and cons were researched. Numerous building scenarios were discussed among city staff, planning commissioners, city council members and consultants, ultimately leading to the current location. Along the way, about 10 different federal, state and local resource agencies were involved - both complimenting and complicating the process.
During the 1990s the golf course'sdesigns were developed, environmental impact reports were reviewed and archaeological inventories recorded. Some of the archaeological sites on the planned golf course suggested life from a Late Period Luiseno village. Luiseno are Native American people who inhabited the coastal area of Southern California in the 16th century. The sites included many and various stone artifacts reflecting both native diet and environmental habitats exploited for building purposes, tools and food. Given the potential for burials, these sites were covered over and direct golf course development was avoided.
In 2000development permits were secured through the traditional city permitting process in order to bid the project for construction. However, the golf course development located nearly a mile east of the coastline fell within the Coastal Commission's jurisdiction and the Coastal Act included specific policies that addressed coastline development issues. Just before the city awarded the construction contract, the California Coastal Commission exercised its authority to take over the permitting.
From 2000 to 2004, the City of Carlsbad met with the California Coastal Commission regularly to redesign the course yet again. Dozens of renditions were considered until all regulatory agencies could agree on one model that would address all objectives. To achieve this balance required a comprehensive, multi-agency effort that utilised a tremendous amount of resources, including city personnel, years of time and money.
August 2003 signified the official launch of the redesign efforts to include new conditions set by the Coastal Commission after a unanimous vote. The golf course was touted by the Commission as a model of environmental superiority. Re-routing of some holes, inclusion of spanning bridges, and a formal dedication by the City of Carlsbad to the State of California under the Habitat Conservation Easement requirement, ensures that no further development will take place in certain areas of the course.
Construction finally began in 2005 and local awareness of the project resurfaced as the community began to see changes in the landscape. The grading, or "sculpting" of the land was everything but radical. Great lengths were taken to retain much of the natural configuration of the site, not only to preserve the open space, but to protect and promote the spectacular views and follow the natural terrain as much as possible. The ebb and flow of the course boasts no 90 degree angles, yet it exhibits some areas where there are up to 100 feet of elevation change from one hole to the next.
Named after the five bridges or 'crossings' that were designed into the course to meet the existing environmental and topographic conditions, The Crossings at Carlsbad features an 8,500 square metre clubhouse and links to the city's 5km trail of walking paths.
Nearly US$70 million was spent by the city on development before opening to the public. Of that, more than US$50 million was for the course and related amenities and the remainder was to preserve the open space. The course forms the hub of an extensive, connected trail system that links with all city parks.
The Crossings at Carlsbad General Manager Jeff Perry said " It was due to the long-term vision of the local community and the dedicated hard work of the community leaders that made it finally happen." "The golf course is only one part of the master-plan that has been set aside for the community, and it would never had worked if it was done as a private venture " said Mr. Perry.
Author: Mike Orloff Director Golf Industry Central ©2008
Golf Business Consultant & operations specialist
Ph: 0415 682 259 morloff@golfindustrycentral.com.au
Note to Editor re sources:
This information was sourced from The Crossings at Carlsbad and Kemper Sports - an Illinois-based golf-design and management company that oversees the daily operation of The Crossings golf course and clubhouse. Kemper Sports also operates Chambers Bay – recent winner of the right to hold the 2015 U.S. Open Championship.
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