Asia is the world’s largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth’s total surface area and comprises 30% of its land area. With approximately 4.3 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world’s current human population.
Based on these statistics, just imagine the pressure that is placed on useable land and water. Now, consider how the development of golf courses can progress in an environment where there is a never ending demand for land. This throws up the question – can developers and golf course architects look at alternative land sites that are not considered choice tracts of land. For example, hostile terrain and maybe even waste land?
This is an issue that is going to be tackled at the 2013 Asia Pacific Golf Summit (APGS) which will be held at the plush Shangri-la Hotel Jakarta, Indonesia on November 5 – 7.
One architect has done just that by taking on the foreboding challenge of building a world class golf course on land festooned with boulders and rocks. He is Brian Curley, principal of Schmidt Curley Design. He will be speaking at APGS 2013 on this topic.
Commenting on the topic, he said, “I think the issues of land constraints are a huge deterrent to the growth of golf. There is plenty of good land and willing owners/governments wanting golf construction. The issue of land constraints is of greatest concern when dealing with a location that makes economic sense. What you find is, within a reasonable distance from a population base, good land falls under the watchful eye of local and regional officials wanting to protect the assets of productive land, and rightfully so”.
He continued, “Hop in a plane and from the sky you will see endless miles of open land suitable for golf. Land that makes sense for the end user is a different story. Great conflict will continue to be formed when the conversion of good land to recreational uses is on the table. The growth of the game relies upon access both economically and from a location point of view. A great course at an affordable price has no chance if it is hours away. Destination resorts will emerge but they do not produce the base of players. These must be produced at the local level, and these courses will, more and more, be constructed on very difficult, un-useable land”.
Curley has a compelling story to tell. One which all golf course owners and developers should make a point to listen to.
Come and listen to Brian Curley share his options on how great golf courses can be built on hostile terrain and waste land. You can do just that by registering to attend APGS 2013. On-line registration is now open.
Registration Link
https://secure.golfconference.org/event/asia-pacific-golf-summit-2013
Website:
http://www.golfconference.org
Youtube Video Link
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