Job Description of a Golf Course Architect
Golf course architects and designers are represented by the U.S. Department of Labor’s landscape architects job category. Careers in golf course architecture comprise the most advanced and demanding area of landscape design. Architects plan the topography for golf courses, including the locations of landscaped greens, roughs and water features. Although golf course design is a highly competitive field, compensation is quite rewarding and successful architects enjoy professional reputations as superstars of the landscape architecture industry.
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Resource Manager
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Golf course architects prepare site plans by considering natural resources and the environment and balancing these elements with the economic, social and aesthetic requirements for golf course development. They organize existing and proposed land features and analyze impacts on location, drainage and existing structures. Golf course architects also confer with clients and land engineers regarding the technical and aesthetic aspects of golf course design. They inspect landscape work to verify conformance to code and specifications and approve the quality of work.
Expert in Landscaping, Construction, Golf
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Golf course architects must possess specialized knowledge of landscaping and construction methods to effectively plan for and address the various technical aspects involved in planning a golf course. They must consider topography, survey, drainage, erosion, trees, accessibility standards and land management during the development of a golf course. Because a golf course's reputation rests on its design and playability, architects must also possess a solid understanding of golf game requirements, particularly at advanced player levels.
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In the Office and in the Field
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When golf course architects are in the office, they create designs, prepare models and develop cost estimates. They may also attend meetings with clients and other design professionals. Golf course architects also travel to prospective locations to verify the adequacy of the existing landscapes to incorporate a golf course design. Upon selection of a location, golf course architects spend time at the job site to supervise construction and development work.
Long Hours
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Careers in golf course architecture and design are highly competitive. Design contracts do not come up often and are not easy to get. Golf course architects often encounter highly experienced competition in this very tough commercial industry. Professional experience and design reputation are often deciding factors when a client selects a golf course architect. The work sometimes requires long and irregular hours. Some landscape architects work more than 50 hours per week, including nights and weekends, to meet deadlines and client demands.
Long Years of Study
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Nearly all golf course design careers require a bachelor's or master's degree in landscape architecture from a college or university endorsed by the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board of the American Society of Landscape Architects. Undergraduate programs typically require four or five years of study to complete. Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) graduate degree programs typically require two or three years of full-time study to complete. Forty-nine states require architects to register for licensing. An individual with a degree in landscape architecture, a passing score on the Landscape Architect Registration Examination (L.A.R.E.) and relevant work experience satisfies the licensing requirements. Some jurisdictions require candidates to begin the license application process before taking the exam.
High Earnings Potential
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According to occupational employment statistics published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in May 2009 the median annual wages for landscape architects, including golf course architects, were $65,910. The middle 50 percent had earnings ranging from $60,560 to $79,940. The lowest 10 percent brought in less than $36,740, and the highest 10 percent earned in excess of $100,530. The architectural, engineering and related services sector employed more landscape architects than any other group of industries. Architects in this industry earned median annual wages of $66,400 in May 2009. Landscape architects who work as specialty trade contractors in the golf industry received the highest median annual wages--$98,980 in May 2009.
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References
- Photo Credit Golf cart on golf course image by Jim Mills from Fotolia.com
