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Forty Navy SEALS were the recent recipients of a Memorial Day care package sent by Target Specialty Products. The team of Virginia-based SEALS was deployed for Iraq in April for a six-month mission. During a six-week campaign, Target raised more than $1,500, and additional fundraising efforts at the company’s seven offices more than doubled that amount. The packages included sunglasses, DVDs, gun cleaners, eye-care products, magazines and pre-packed foods.
Marci Turner, a University of Tennessee senior in turfgrass science and management and a member of the school’s women’s golf team, recently received academic and athletic honors. At an awards banquet of the National Golf Coaches Association after the conclusion of the NCAA Championship Tournament, she and teammate Nicole Smith were named NGCA All-Americans, and Turner additionally became the first Lady Vol since 1994 to win the Edith Cummings Munson Golf Award, an all-academic award. To qualify for All-American status, student-athletes must have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher and participate in at least 50 percent of team competitions. Turner earned a 3.86 grade point average in turfgrass management her junior year.
A group of North Carolina turfgrass professionals descended on Washington, D.C., earlier this year to participate in the Agriculture Coalition for Immigration Reform on Capitol Hill. Kevin Smith, CGCS, superintendent at Bryan Park GC, Greensboro, N.C.; Charles Tomlinson, executive director of the Turfgrass Council of North Carolina; and Alfred Wooten with Quality Turf in Burgaw, among others, made contact with 13 of 15 legislative offices representing North Carolina to state their support for immigration reform to bolster and protect the industry’s labor supply.
Rain Bird Corp. recently created a contest to urge customers to put their directors’ caps on while simultaneously bringing awareness to the need for water conservation with its Intelligent Use of Water film competition. The company sought short films (less than 20 minutes in duration) in narrative, documentary, animated, experimental or student-made formats that focus on ideas for intelligently managing and conserving water. A panel of judges selected finalists who will attend a screening event later this month in Los Angeles, where winners will be awarded cash prizes of $6,000 for judges’ selection and $3,000 for the audience’s choice. Visit www.iuowfilm.com for more information on the competition.
Federal agents seized counterfeit Solo Inc. sprayers exhibited by
ZheJiang Shixia Sprayer Co. Ltd. at the recent National Hardware Show in Orlando. In a move that Solo Inc. called a significant victory in the war against counterfeit merchandise and trademark infringement, three agents visited the ZheJiang Shixia booth after receiving a request by Solo’s law firm to remove the counterfeit products. The sprayers, which were being sold under the SeeSa brand, were seized at the show. Company president David Longfield said in a company-released statement that Solo aggressively protects its patents and trademarks, particularly its popular model 425 backpack sprayer.
Nufarm Americas Inc. says it’s prepared to defend against allegations by Bayer CropScience in a lawsuit that it infringed on Bayer’s patent on the combination of Imidacloprid plus fertilizer plus adhesive. According to Nufarm, the lawsuit is specific to Imidacloprid combinations with fertilizers and does not implicate the company’s Mallet 2F, Mallet granular insecticide or other Nufarm products. A release from the company stated that Nufarm firmly believes it did not infringe Bayer’s U.S. Patent No. 5,783,203.
Arysta LifeScience and Valent U.S.A. Corp. have reached a supply and marketing agreement in the U.S. for the active ingredient clothianidin. Under the agreement’s terms, Valent will maintain rights to the brand names Arena, Clutch, Celero and Belay. Valent announces plans to enter the crop and ornamental markets with clothianidin this month and the professional turf market by the end of November. Arysta also has developed a marketing and sales plan for clothianidin, which it will sell in premixtures for use in granule and sprayable segments in the professional turf market under the brand name Aloft. Registration is expected before the end of November.
The Golf Course Builders Association of America saw a 22 percent increase in membership in 2006, it announces. The association additionally reports an increase in charter members and an expansion of membership program benefits. Membership includes access to various LPGA, PGA and USGA events, inclusion on the GCBAA membership directory and its Web site. Members also receive invitations to GCBAA’s annual meeting held at GCSAA’s Golf Industry Show and its summer meeting held in conjunction with the PGA Championship.
Redexim Charterhouse announces three new area distributors to carry its turf equipment: Baker Vehicle Systems, Macedonia, Ohio; W.F. Miller Co., Novi, Mich.; and Clark’s Supply and Service, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada. Each will carry the complete line from Redexim, including its deep-tine aerator the Verti-Drain, the Verti-Seed, Verti-Core, Verti-Quake, Turf Tidy and the Verti-Drill System. All three distributors will provide parts and service.
Coleman Cable Inc. announces plans to acquire Copperfield LLC and all its equity interests for $213 million in cash. Estimated 2006 revenues of Copperfield, a fabricator and insulator of copper electrical wire and cable, are $520 million. Coleman Cable says it plans to use debt financing to consummate the acquisition. The transaction was expected to be completed during the second quarter of 2007.
Compact Power Inc. and its subsidiary companies have acquired certain assets of DOC Machine Tool Services of South Carolina Inc., it announces. CPI, which specializes in stand-on skid steers, has previously worked with DOC, which provides machine tool rebuild, retrofit and contract maintenance, to service equipment for The Home Depot Tool Rental.
Husqvarna has agreed to acquire the German company Gardena AG from Industri Kapital. Gardena is a leader in Europe’s irrigation products, garden ponds, pumps and electric garden products. The acquisition will complement Husqvarna’s powered garden products for the consumer market with some overlap within electric products, according to the company.
The Pursell Cup Charity Golf Challenge, a fundraiser for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, raised a record-breaking $100,000 June 6-7 at FarmLinks GC in Sylacauga, Ala. The biennial event, which garnered 64 participants and 87 total contributors, is a personal cause for the Pursell family, owners of FarmLinks. David Pursell and three of his six children live with Type 1 diabetes.
Three GCSAA members were recently selected by Golf Inc. to its list of Most Admired Operators. Based on criteria including leadership, ability to motivate and focus staff, and dedication to customer service, the magazine chose Dennis Lyon, CGCS, superintendent and manager of golf for the city of Aurora (Colo.). Lyon, a 34-year member and past president (1989) of GCSAA, is credited for growing Aurora’s golf facilities from one to seven and involving everyone at the facility in customer service. Stephen Cohoon, CGCS, director of agronomy at Heritage Hunt G&CC in Gainesville, Va., was selected for his work in construction and agronomy with four additional Western Golf Properties courses currently under development. Cohoon, a 24-year GCSAA member, was recognized for his focus on staff training. The third GCSAA member selected was Sandy Clark, CGCS, the superintendent at Barona Creek GC in Lakeside, Calif. A 17-year GCSAA member and 2004 winner of the Environmental Leaders in Golf Award for National Resort, he ushered in the Barona Creek layout starting at the construction phase.
People news
PBI/Gordon Corp. has appointed Mark Welterlen, Ph.D., to serve as its new product development manager. Welterlen possesses more than 40 years of experience in the green industry and a Ph.D. in agronomy with a focus on turf management. He also previously worked as an assistant professor of agronomy at the University of Maryland and group publisher for several publications, including the now defunct Grounds Maintenance.
Mike Buchanan has been named general sales manager for Chemilizer Products Inc., manufacturer of chemical injectors. Buchanan will oversee the company’s expansion into water treatment and fertigation markets.
Jared Bodnar has been promoted to vice president of Canyon Communications Inc. Bodnar joined the firm, which represents several golf management accounts, in 2000. In his new position, he’ll be involved in decisions regarding the company’s strategic direction, client services, new business development and personnel. He also will remain the lead contact on key accounts and will act as director of client services.
Profile Products LLC announces John Ferguson as southeast regional sales manager for its Turface Athletics and Profile Golf products. Ferguson will provide support to customers and distributors for sports fields and golf courses in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee and Mississippi. He also will maintain and establish relationships with Major League Baseball and NFL grounds-keepers. He previously worked as a sales manager for Lesco.
Karl J. Kisner is the new marketing manager for BASF Professional Turf & Ornamentals. Previously, he worked as senior marketing manager for the company’s pest control division. He will focus on short- and long-term marketing strategies, planning and program development.
Aquatrols has appointed John Westerdahl as territory manager for the Pacific Northwest and Hawaii. Previously, Westerdahl worked for Lebanon Turf Products as division sales manager.
FMC Professional Solutions announces several organizational changes in personnel. Karen Westcott joins the company as marketing manager; Rick Ekins is the new product manager of turf products; Maureen Thompson is the national sales manager for turf; Rick Lewis is the marketing and sales support manager for turf; Ken Hutto is the technical service representative for turf in the Midwest; and Julie Spagnoli is the new manager of regulatory, planning and government affairs. The company also has created a turf field sales team.
Billy Casper Golf announces Doug Wayne as its vice president of human resources development. The golf course management firm also promoted Mike Cutler to vice president of business development. Wayne previously oversaw the company’s staff recruitment, hiring and training for its 75 golf courses and corporate office. Cutler started at the firm as director of golf for Oak Ridge in Tennessee and rose to the positions of regional manager and regional vice president. He will direct the firm’s growth through management contract and course acquisitions.
Golf course briefs
The Kentucky Golf Trail and the Kentucky Department of Parks are extending the Trail Card program, in which users buy one card for use at 21 courses along the trail. The trail has added to its variety of courses Lake Barkley State Resort Park, where 20-year GCSAA member Donald Davidson, CGCS, is superintendent. New clubhouses also are being built at Mineral Mound in Eddyville, Dale Hollow near Burkesville, Yatesville Lake in Louisa and Grayson Lake near Grayson. General Burnside Island State Park, an 18-hole course that’s part of the Kentucky Golf Trail, is undergoing a total renovation projected to be completed in spring 2008.
The River at Queenstown Harbor in Queenstown, Md., recently underwent renovations, including new greens, new golf cars and new caddie services. The new greens are planted with an A1-A4 50/50 mix of bentgrass, which superintendent John Anderes, CGCS, says will provide faster greens and a superior playing surface. Areas around the clubhouse and pavilion also were landscaped with native plants and grasses that are more tolerant of drought conditions. Anderes is a 15-year GCSAA member.
Billy Casper Golf has purchased and now operates Lincoln Hills GC in Lincoln, Calif., a 36-hole championship facility designed by Billy Casper and Greg Nash. The Lincoln Hills courses include a driving range, full-service pro shop and two layouts situated along Placer County’s rolling hills and natural wetlands.
Wyndansea Oceanfront Golf Resort, Ucluelet, Long Beach, British Columbia, has been selected by the Nicklaus Cos. as a site for the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club of Canada, the club’s developer, Marine Drive Properties Ltd., announces. With this selection, Wyndansea becomes one of 25 clubs worldwide to carry the distinction, which was created as an exclusive access and reciprocity program for a limited number of Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Courses. Members receive reciprocity privileges at all locations with no membership fees, annual dues or green fees.
Southworth Golf Construction, a subsidiary of Southworth Development LLC, has agreed to build a second nine holes at Las Bambuas GC, which is part of Ciudad Jardin Resort & CC in Gurabo, Puerto Rico. The new nine is scheduled to be complete and ready to play by summer 2008.
Camelback GC, Scottsdale, Ariz., announces its two championship courses have returned to their original names. The Jack Snyder-designed Club Course will return to Indian Bend, and the Arthur Hills-designed Resort Course will revert to its original name, Padre. The club also is resurrecting its original golf club logo.
Treetops Resort, Gaylord, Mich., is officially an environmentally sound golf course certified by the Michigan Turfgrass Environmental Stewardship Program, a voluntary program in which golf facilities can evaluate and improve practices on course to benefit the environment. Treetops Resort, an 81-hole championship facility designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., Tom Fazio and Rick Smith, has secured wellheads and installed buffer zones along water features to protect water resources, says Mark Wildeman, CGCS, superintendent. He adds that the course also wrote a spill prevention control and counter measure to outline procedures to limit the potential for petroleum spills and to provide an emergency response plan in case of a spill or leak. Wildeman is a 21-year member of GCSAA.
Evergreen Alliance Golf Limited announces 10 new management contracts have been added to its portfolio. The new courses under its management are: Legacy Hills GC near Austin, Texas; White Wing GC near Austin, Texas; Tattersall GC in West Chester, Pa.; Ivy Hills CC in
Cincinnati; Royal Oak CC in Cincinnati; Northville Hills GC in Northville, Mich.; Mequon CC in Milwaukee; Silver Springs CC in Milwaukee; Bull Valley GC in Chicago; and Siena GC in Las Vegas.
Synthetic Turf International recently completed a driving range renovation project at Champion Hills CC in Hendersonville, N.C. In conjunction with the company’s distributor Heritage Putting Greens, the project consisted of removing the existing sand-filled nylon tee line, which had become compacted, and redesigning the driving range to double its length. STI supplied its EZ Tee system, a naturalistic synthetic turf made especially for driving range tee lines.
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