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LPGA golfer Paula Creamer made an appearance at last fall’s Samsung World Championship at the Bighorn GC in Palm Desert, Calif., to host an auction with proceeds going toward the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies, named for Arnold Palmer’s late wife. The live auction kicked off an online auction with signed items from the top 20 LPGA players participating in the event, in addition to other PGA players. Samsung’s Four Seasons of Hope charity has raised more than $850,000 for the facility and the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. This event marked the 36th year Samsung Electronics America Inc. acted as a sponsor and the 12th year as a title sponsor.
Tecumseh Power Co. is awarding a new snow thrower to the owner of the oldest working snow thrower powered by a Tecumseh Snow King, Lauson or Power Products engine. The snow blower giveaway is part of the company’s “100 Years of Winter Power” celebration, which also includes a Tecumseh winter survival package to the owner of the second-oldest snow thrower. Owners of the two oldest ice augers also will receive a new Jiffy or StrikeMaster ice auger, and the owner of the third-oldest ice auger will get a winter survival package. Readers believing they have the oldest of these products should contact an authorized Tecumseh servicing dealer, who will verify the working condition and age of the machines and enter them into the contest. Entries must be submitted by Jan. 31, and winners will be announced in March.
PGA Tour player John Engler Jr. has been hired to endorse E-Z-GO, manufacturer of golf cars and utility vehicles. Engler is an Augusta native and a former Clemson University standuout who earned a spot on the PGA Tour after a 2003 car accident. Under the terms of the agreement, Engler will display the E-Z-GO logo on his apparel during tournament play and participate in company-sponsored events and promotions.
MWE, formerly known as Midwest Engine Warehouse, acquired certain assets of Power Equipment Co., a distributorship for Briggs & Stratton.
As of September, Lesco opened eight new service centers, located in Rochester, N.Y.; Jamesburg, N.J.; York, Pa.; Westminster, Md.; Gastonia, N.C.; Lutz, Fla.; Traverse City, Mich.; and Franklin, Wis. For the entire year, Lesco opened 27 new centers in 16 states, the company says. This brings the company’s nationwide total to 328 centers in 39 states.
The Georgia Golf Hall of Fame has announced three inductees for 2007: Furman Bisher, Wendell Couch and Tom Forkner. Also announced is David Pillsbury as the featured speaker for the 2007 Georgia Golf Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony this month. Bisher served as sports editor for The Atlanta Journal and the Atlanta Constitution and received United Press International awards four times. He served as president of the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association from 1974 to 1975 and was president of the Golf Writers Association of America from 1992 to 1993. Couch worked in the golf industry for 40 years at Spalding Sports Worldwide, Top Flite and Callaway Golf. He volunteers for the Georgia State Golf Association, is chairman of the GSGA Senior Committee and serves as a member of the GSGA Championship Committee. Forkner, co-founder of Waffle House Inc., was Georgia Senior Champion four times, Georgia Seniors Four-Ball Champion twice and International Senior Champion twice. Golf Digest named him as a Top 10 National Senior Golfer four times.
The National Turfgrass Evaluation Program is seeking commercially available and experimental turfgrasses for trials of five warm-season grasses for spring 2007. Evaluation trials for seashore paspalum, bermudagrass, buffalograss, St. Augustinegrass and zoysiagrass will occur at various university settings across the nation. Trials will be assessed for establishment rate, turfgrass quality, color, texture, density, disease, insect resistance and other traits. For information on how to submit an entry, visit www.ntep.org/newsroom.htm.
Project EverGreen recently launched its SHOVELS ArtWork fundraising project. With a $1,000 donation, contributors received a shovel to paint in a way that illustrates how their company enhances green spaces. Project EverGreen exhibited the artwork at its reception at the Green Industry Expo in Columbus, Ohio.
GCSAA has launched a search for a group of golf course superintendent professionals to serve on a research panel. Participation is open to any superintendent, and not just GCSAA members. The group will offer the industry and superintendents access to online surveys and focus groups to improve their products and services. The National Golf Foundation will conduct the surveys online, and no surveys will come directly to participants from industry members. GCSAA members taking part in the panel will earn 0.25 service points applied to the maximum of one service point per renewal cycle for completing GCSAA surveys. Panel members also will be rewarded with quarterly prize drawings. For more information on the panel, visit
www.gcsaa.org/customerservice/superpanel.asp and to sign up for the panel, visit http://survey.ngf.org/r26013/facilitysearch.asp.
Rain Bird Corp. has kicked off work on its 11th entry for the 2007 Rose Parade float contest. Titled “Natural Beauties,” its float showcases various species of lizards and their ability to adapt, endure and thrive in a wide range of climates and conditions, the company says. It’s intended to address the need for Earth’s inhabitants to conserve water, Rain Bird adds. The float is an appropriate fit for the parade theme, “Our Good Nature.”
Along with several allies in the turf and golf industry, the Florida Turfgrass Association is allocating $150,000 over the next two years to fund research grants. GCSAA, the Florida GCSA, the Florida Sod Growers Cooperative and the Club Managers Association of America are allied partners. The grants will fund research of turfgrass topics such as irrigation water use, insect control, turfgrass breeding and best management practices for a diverse workforce. Recipients are Florida-based researchers at the University of Florida and Lake City Community College.
In Celebration of Golf Management, which operates nine golf courses in Arizona, has selected Avendra as its procurement partner. The company will use Avendra’s procurement programs for food and beverage, administrative and financial services, building and construction, cleaning chemicals and sanitizing systems, engineering and golf grounds maintenance.
Gowan Co. LLC and American Pacific Corp. have formed a licensing agreement to develop and market azide-based pest-management products as potential alternatives to traditional fumigants like methyl bromide. Gowan will be the exclusive marketer of the products internationally. Developed by AMPAC and Auburn University, certain azide-based products have been found to control soilborne weeds, nematodes, fungus and bacteria in field trials of turf. One formula in development, the company says, combines a single active ingredient with a proprietary blend of inert substances and can be applied as a pre-plant pesticide through drip irrigation and more traditional techniques. Azide-based products available from the partnership are designed to be safe, efficient and economical with no ozone-depleting properties. In addition to acting as the exclusive marketer of the azide-based pest management products, Gowan will work with the EPA to obtain regulatory approval for the products.
Ewing Irrigation announces the opening of its 54th California facility in Redding. Additionally, the company has appointed Brian Dixon as the facility’s new manager. Dixon plans to offer educational opportunities for the store’s irrigation contractor customers, including a technical and sales training program, water conservation training and seminars on business administration, he says.
The 2006 John Deere Classic raised $3.9 million for charity, the company says. That amount raised beats last year’s figure by more than $800,000. More than 500 different charities benefited from the monies raised through tournament revenues, direct donations and the John Deere Classic Birdies for Charity program, which drew contributions of $3 million from 22,000 individuals and businesses.
Nearly 75,000 moms, dads and daughters turned out for the National Golf Course Owners Association’s seventh annual Take Your Daughter to the Course Week. The number represents a 14 percent increase over last year’s turnout of 64,000. The number of hosts also grew from 1,063 in 2005 to 1,242 in 2006. Part of The PGA of America’s Play Golf America initiative, the Take Your Daughter Week is designed to support its members and help grow overall participation in golf. Participating courses offered free green fees and clinics to young girls accompanied by a paying adult.
Two bifenthrin-based granular insecticides from United Phosphorus Inc. have received approval for use by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation. UP-Star gold granular insecticide is labeled for control of ants, mole crickets and other insects, while UP-Star nursery granular insecticide is used as a quarantine treatment against imported fire ants.
Turf Diagnostics & Design has announced that Witgang Far East will represent its laboratory services in China. Witgang will be the contact for the company’s customers in golf and sports turf construction, design and turf management, and also will help to ensure proper testing, sampling and shipment of samples.
David Clarke has been named vice president of New Holland Agricultural Business in North America. Clarke will oversee the sales, marketing and support of the company. He previously served as New Holland’s vice president of global product marketing.
Tony Principato has been appointed as director of golf for Blackstone CC, which is on schedule to open in spring 2007. Principato has worked with Western Golf Properties for five years.
Tanaka Kogyo Co. Ltd. of Japan has promoted Jeff Wright to vice president and executive officer of Tanaka America Inc. He will be responsible for Tanaka activities in North America and pursuing expansion opportunities in North, Central and South America.
Joe Schuh has been promoted to technical manager for BASF Specialty Products Division. Schuh previously worked as the company’s regional technical service manager for BASF’s diversified crops region.
The Davey Tree Expert Co. has promoted Mark Jackson to division manager of Davey Golf. Jackson, a 28-year member of GCSAA, has spent more than 20 years managing courses in the Michigan area.
Michael Parkhurst has been named the vice president of golf channel and branch operations for E-Z-GO, manufacturer of golf cars and utility vehicles. Having joined the company in 2000, Parkhurst moved up through the ranks of Northeast regional manager, director of Northern sales and, recently, director of golf sales.
Casey Cleghorn has been selected as experience manager for The Experience at FarmLinks LLC, a hands-on golf course information site. In the newly created position, Cleghorn will connect with more than 1,200 superintendents who visit both Pursell Farms and FarmLinks GC every year.
Casey Wohl Pace has been selected as executive director of the Florida Turfgrass Association. Wohl Pace will manage the 900-member organization’s daily operations, develop relationships with allied associations and coordinate long-term strategic direction for the organization. She previously worked for Florida Citrus Mutual as director of public affairs.
After announcing the departure of its president and chief operating officer, Robert F. Bernstock, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Co. named David Evans its executive vice president and chief financial officer. A 12-year veteran of the company, Evans most recently worked as senior vice president of finance and global shared services.
TruGreen Chemlawn’s regional technical manager, Erica Santella, has won the Florida Turfgass Association’s Wreath of Grass Award for outstanding service in the turf industry and betterment to the FTGA. Santella works for the company’s 16 Florida branches and is responsible for agronomic and horticulture programs.
The winner of Seed Research of Oregon’s 2006 Tyee Excellence Award went to its own director of research and technical services, Dr. Leah Brilman. The honor recognizes Brilman’s work to improve technical breeding, salt-tolerant grasses, rhizomes in tall fescues and heat-tolerant bluegrasses. She also is responsible for developing the company’s newest creeping bentgrasses: Tyee, MacKenzie, SR 1150 and SR 1119.
Former Golf magazine’s publisher, Christopher P. Wightman, has been named president of ProLink Solutions’ new ProLink Media division. ProLink plans to establish an office in New York, where Wightman will oversee all media operations for the media division.
Arthur Hills/Steve Forrest and Associates have broken ground on an originally designed course at Garden River GC near Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada, and a major renovation of Naperville (Ill.) CC. The firm beat out 10 other design firms for the 18-hole Garden River GC, the firm’s first original design in Canada. Developed by Garden River First Nation and managed by Penguin Golf Associates, the course was built to accommodate further developments, though none is currently planned. The first nine of the layout will open for play in fall 2007. Naperville CC has undergone a $7 million renovation that includes a reconfiguration of 11 holes and bringing all 18 greens up to USGA specifications. The renovation also includes a course lengthening from 6,456 yards to more than 6,800 yards, installation of an irrigation system and a new practice facility that’s double its previous size.
The renowned Blue Monster GC, one of five championship golf courses at Doral Golf Resort & Spa in Doral, Fla., has officially
reopened after a four-month renovation. The project included design changes and preparations for the CA Championship March 20-25. The renovation also entailed regrassing all 18 greens and the practice putting green, revamping all bunkers and installing new golf car paths.
Devout players and fans of golf can intermingle with professional players at a club designed exclusively for them — The Markers. Founded in April 2005, The Markers offers its members the chance to interact through rounds of golf, clinics and other events with The Markers’ Player’s Council, which includes: Bruce Summerhays, Billy Casper, Joe Inman, John Harris, Parker McLaughlin, Matt Weibring, Donna Caponi and David Marr. Members also are offered opportunities such as international golf excursions and the use of
luxury homes.
The Clubs at St. James Plantation, a Southport, N.C., facility managed by Troon Golf, celebrated its grand opening recently. The event showcased the completion of the property’s final 18 holes,
bringing the total to 81. More than 1,000 dignitaries, media and Reserve Club members attended a cocktail reception and tour of the newly constructed Golf House with a golf shop, patio and bar. Conrad Broussard, CGCS, is the director of grounds at St. James.
Woodland GC, Cincinnati, celebrated its 75th anniversary with 75-cents-per-hole specials and other activities recently. The city’s oldest public nine-hole course also offered 75-cent beers and hot dogs, contests and giveaways. Bill Lewis Jr., one of the course’s first golf pros and son of its founder, was on hand to share details about its history and layout.
Keith Foster Golf Course Design is restoring the historic A.W. Tillinghast East Course of the Baltimore CC (Five Farms). The restoration program includes recapturing green square footage, restoring all bunkers, renovating tees and adding overall yardage to the course. Tim Kennelly, CGCS, is managing the project, McDonald and Sons is performing the work and Liebold is managing the irrigation.
Camp Creek GC in Watersound Beach, Fla., recently offered a “Day with a Pro” golf package promotion that included lessons with one of the course’s PGA pros, up to 36 holes of golf, dinner and a three-night stay at one of its three vacation rentals. During the lesson day, guests were instructed on putting, chipping, bunker play and full swing instruction from a PGA pro.
Construction of a new 18-hole, Clive Clark-designed West Course at The Golf Resort at Indian Wells, Calif., is complete, and ground has broken on the resort’s John Fought-designed East Course. In addition to two new courses, The Golf Resort at Indian Wells’ makeover includes a new 35,000-square-foot clubhouse and a practice facility. The entire project is set to be completed by November 2007.
Stone Mountain GC in Stone Mountain, Ga., recently became an official Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary by the education division of Audubon International. The club’s director of grounds Anthony Williams led the effort to obtain sanctuary status. Stone Mountain is the 12th course in Georgia to earn the designation and the 598th in the world.
Oceanico Group has appointed Troon Golf to manage operations of a Nick Faldo-designed course in Portugal. Set in the Monchique Mountains, the Amendoeira Golf Resort will ultimately encompass two 18-hole courses and a PGA Golf Academy along with leisure facilities and accommodations.
ClubCorp recently announced the opening of its family friendly golf course, The Clubs of Kingwood at Atascocita, Texas. The nine-hole course offers a kids golf program, kid golf cars and four-seater family golf cars. Designed for play in less than an hour and a half, The Clubs of Kingwood at Atascocita features mesh fencing around all water hazards, no sand bunkers and no roughs. Permanent tees are designed for beginning golfers, and each green offers two holes — a regulation hole and an oversized hole with a shorter flag.
From a partnership among The Toro Co., Walt Disney World Resort and The First Tee comes an education program for the game of golf. The Future Leaders Forum is a three-day program that provides education on the business and science of golf in addition to character education, the companies say. Intended to prepare youngsters for college and the future, the Future Leaders Forum will include up to 50 high school stude;nts selected through an essay competition and application process out of the top students enrolled in The First Tee Life Skills Education program. The first forum took place in November at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., where students attended sessions on horticulture, turf management, human relations, hospitality, marketing, technology and environmental science. Students also shadow staff from the PGA Tour event to see how a tournament operates.
Utix Group Inc.’s patented golf tickets, Ticket-to-Golf, is now bolstered by the brand name of the PGA Tour. Under an exclusive licensing agreement between the two groups, the PGA Tour brand will appear on the tickets, which offer customers a pre-paid, one-time use for an 18-hole round of golf on more than 2,000 golf courses throughout the nation. The company says it hopes the partnership will boost this year’s sales from its 118,000 golf tickets sold in the 2005-06 golf season. Utix also says it plans to expand distribution through retail and corporate incentive markets.
The Eastern Shore Association of Golf Course Superintendents recently donated $10,000 to the Believe in Tomorrow Children’s Foundation during its annual beach bash. The association also made a $10,000 donation to the University of Maryland’s Turfgrass Research Center at its annual golf tournament. Added to the cause was a $1,600 donation from Rick Fritz of Bayer Environmental Science, which generated the gift through a product promotion.
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