General Renovation Information

Renovation projects come in varying degrees of difficulty. No project is too small or too large for McDonald & Sons. Each renovation project will have special needs and problems to overcome. We have the staff with the experience to handle any problem that may arise. Our company has a diverse and educated staff with backrounds in turf, agronomics, golf course maintenance and all aspects of golf course construction. McDonald & Sons has made quality work their number one priority. Quality is especially important and more evident during renovations because you are tying in to existing conditions. Our expertise in blending our work into the existing golf course features set us apart from our competitors. The goal when you undertake renovation projects is not to leave any evidence of disturbance and the final product to appear that it has always been there. The list of clients that have chosen McDonald & Sons to do their work speaks volumes as to our commitment to quality.

Renovation Projects Include (but are not limited to):

• Tees - construct a single tee, laser grade tees, re-align existing tees, or complete an entire tee master planned renovation project.
• Bunkers - replace contaminated sand, failing drainage, eliminate bunkers, or construct new bunkers.
• Greens - regrade surfaces for less slope and to increase cupping area, enlarge existing, or complete reconstruction.
• New or renovated practice facilities - fix current problems, build or renovate putting and chipping greens, regrade or newly construct driving range tee, add or improve target greens, or build complete new facility.
• Pond construction or renovation - regrade existing ponds banks, drain and add pond liners, or build new ponds on site.
• Cart paths - relocate, add, or change location or types of pavement.
• Fairways - regrade, realign existing fairways, shorten or lengthen.
• Regrassing - placement of new sod, seed, or sprigs.
  
  

Methodology

We undertake renovation projects with the same ideology as new construction projects, through a teamwork approach. The best results occur when all parties work together and share their ideas. The golf course builder, the club, and the architect need to work together to complete the job as efficiently as possible. After all it should be in everyone's best interest for final projects outcome to be one that all can be proud of. McDonald & Sons works very hard to do most of our projects while keeping the course open or only closing holes being worked on. It is important to be as little an impact to the course and its players as possible.

What's Being Done and Materials Being Used

Golf course renovation is an ever changing industry. With environmental regulations and other concerns, different construction techniques have evolved. One area we have seen a change in is the use of fabric liners on bunker slopes to hold the sand on the faces. Certain designs have steep deep bunker faces with sand that flashes up on the slope and the fabric is put in to place to hold the sand on that face. The end result is that the sand does not wash away and therefore does not end up discoloring from replacing back onto the bunker face.

Construction mix used in green and tee construction widely varied. Superintendents use 80/20, 90/10, 80/15/5, straight sand and other combinations. Also popular are "cocktails" created by the superintendents that are mixed in with the greens mix as it is being installed that contain fertilizers and amenities that the Superintendent has requested. McDonald & Sons prides ourselves on working with whatever desire the superintendent may have.

There are also new drainage materials and techniques to coincide with some of these new mixes. And new grass seeds and sods that are being developed and used for their resistance to certain growing factors. McDonald & Sons works closely with all of our vendors to stay up to date on all new materials and construction methods.

• Click here to see a list of our renovation projects from our client list.
• If you would like to inquire about our renovation services, please call us at 410.799.7740 or use our online inquiry form by clicking here.