 |
INDUSTRY NEWS |
As part of its Green Partnership Program, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts’ “Greening Our Greens” initiative enrolls all of the golf courses it owns in integrated environmental management programs with Audubon International. The approach is designed to demonstrate stewardship by reducing pesticide use and conserving and testing water to optimize the use of golf course green space as a refuge and habitat for wildlife. Each Fairmont-owned course infuses environmental elements into course layout and play volumes, among other facets. To date, seven Fairmont courses have achieved full certification through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses — The Fairmont Chateau Whistler GC, The Fairmont Banff Springs GC (pictured), The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge GC, Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello GC, The Fairmont Southampton GC, The Fairmont Algonquin and The Fairmont Mayakoba. Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu is currently working toward certification. Justin Wood, executive director of golf for Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, says that indigenous and environmentally inspired design is a primary focus when developing Fairmont golf courses.
The Andersons Inc., a plant nutrient company, has purchased Douglass Fertilizer & Chemical as an addition to its plant nutrient group. The acquisition will help expand The Andersons’ market outside the traditional Midwest crops and Florida specialty crops, the company says. Douglass Fertilizer primarily supplies specialty liquid nutrients to a variety of agricultural and turf markets, mainly in Florida, the U.S. Southeast and the Caribbean.
The Oregon GCSA has named Richard A. Fluter the 2008 recipient of its Hall of Fame Award, which recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding work in their field to serve the golf and turf industry. Fluter got his start in the golf course management profession at age 12, working at Glendoveer Golf Course in Portland for his father, Edward Fluter, also a recipient of the award. In 1966, Fluter became the first person to receive a degree in turf management from Oregon State University. He worked at Oswego Lake Country Club for 28 years and most recently served as president of Pacific Sports Turf. He served as president of the Oregon GCSA from 1974 to 1977 and, during his term, helped organize the first official superintendent’s pesticide exam sessions in Oregon.
As part of its 50th anniversary celebrations, Club Car recently sponsored Augusta, Ga.’s first American Junior Golf Association event and has pledged to support junior golf programs in its hometown. Last month, the company, along with the AJGA, held a junior-am fundraising tournament whose proceeds went toward The First Tee of Augusta, the AJGA’s Achieving Competitive Excellence Grant and other local youth golf programs.
The USGA recently awarded 143 grants totaling more than $2.6 million to support golf programs across the nation for economically disadvantaged juniors and individuals with disabilities. The grants will be applied toward instruction, golf course and range access, equipment, transportation and the development of accessible golf facilities. The USGA has awarded more than $62.5 million to go toward its Grants Initiative, “For the Good of Game,” since its inception in 1997. The USGA grants committee reviewed a record 160 applications at its May meeting. For a complete list of the current awards, visit www.usga.org/news/2008/June/2008_22.html. For more information, visit the Supporting the Game section of the USGA Web site at www.usga.org.
Nominations opened last month for the 2008 Green Start Academy, a two-day educational and networking event for assistant superintendents sponsored by John Deere Golf and Bayer Environmental Science. The program offers an opportunity for assistant superintendents to enrich their careers by learning best practices, meeting industry experts and networking with their peers. Once nominated by their superintendent, any assistant from the United States or Canada can apply to attend Green Start by submitting an essay. Fifty assistants will be selected to attend the event, held Oct. 1-3 in Clayton, N.C., at the Bayer Development and Training Center and John Deere’s Turf Care factory in Fuquay Varina, N.C. Essays are judged by a panel of industry experts featuring: Shawn Emerson, Desert Mountain in Scottsdale, Ariz.; Bob Farren, CGCS, Pinehurst (N.C.) Resort; Ken Mangum, CGCS, Atlanta (Ga.) Athletic Club; Dean Miller, PGA West and La Quinta Resorts in Palm Springs, Calif.; and Bruce Williams, CGCS, Los Angeles Country Club. Visit www.johndeere.com/academy for more information.
Jeremiah Johnson is the winner of Rain Bird’s 2008 Intelligent Use of Water Scholarship. The company established the $2,500 scholarship to recognize an outstanding student in landscape architecture, horticulture or irrigation science in the final two years of undergraduate study, and a student who also participates in extracurricular activities in the field. Johnson, a recent graduate from Michigan State University with a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture, plans to apply the scholarship toward his master’s degree, also at Michigan State, with an emphasis on environmental design.
United Kingdom-based Bernhard and Co. recently received The Queen’s Award in the Innovation category for outstanding or continuous achievement. Bernhard and Co., manufacturer of mower blade sharpeners, is the second business in the sector to win the honor during the 43-year history of the award. The recognition was based on the continuous innovation and development of Bernhard’s Express Dual and Anglemaster sharpening systems.
Valent USA and its parent company, Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd., filed complaints recently against Syngenta AG and a number of its subsidiaries with the International Trade Commission and also one Syngenta subsidiary in the U.S. District Court for Western Wisconsin. The cases seek relief for infringement of Sumitomo Chemical’s patent on the clothianidin insecticide compound. Valent and Sumitomo Chemical filed a separate complaint against Syngenta Crop Protection in the U.S. District Court for Northern California, alleging that Syngenta’s later use patent on clothianidin is invalid.
Arcadia Biosciences and The Scotts Co. have reached a research agreement to develop nitrogen use-efficient turfgrass varieties. Under the agreement, Scotts Miracle-Gro owns an exclusive global license to develop and commercialize grasses using Arcadia NUE technology for a variety of consumer and commercial markets.
Eight students were awarded the 2008 Georgia GCSA’s Legacy Scholarship. Offered to children and grandchildren of GGCSA members, the scholarships went to Jackson Esoda, son of Mark Esoda, CGCS, Atlanta Country Club; Ashley Staughton, daughter of Richard Staughton, CGCS, Towne Lake Hills Golf Club; Thomas Waldron, son of Randy Waldron, The Golf Club of Georgia; Heather Dusch, daughter of Jim Dusch, CGCS, Hawks Ridge Golf Club; Andrew Jason Martin, son of Mike Martin, Hampton Golf Village; John Underwood, son of Chuck Underwood, CGCS, Northwood Country Club, and grandson of Charlie Underwood; Kyle Ketelsen, son of Craig Ketelsen, CGCS, Orchard Hills Golf Club; and Cliff Echols, son of Dennis Echols, CGCS, The Georgia Club. Criteria for selection included academic achievement, extracurricular and community involvement, leadership and outside employment. Students submitted a 500-word essay about their parent’s or grandparent’s involvement with GGCSA.
The Association of Private Clubs & Directors, in BoardRoom Magazine’s “Excellence in Achievement Awards,” recently selected ValleyCrest Golf Course Maintenance as its Golf Course Maintenance Company of the Year. The awards recognize vendors, educators and associations for their impact, achievements and contributions to the club industry. Candidates are judged by an independent panel of industry experts and are selected for projects completed or introduced and innovative services offered in the year.
Several youth in Akron, Ohio, participated in Project EverGreen’s first annual Art of Green Spaces Competition, aimed at bringing attention to how important green spaces such as lawns, landscapes, gardens, parks and sports fields are to Akron’s environment, economy and quality of life. Students at the local Boys & Girls Club and the Western Reserve Academy were asked to demonstrate through art why green spaces matter. Akron is the first city to participate in Project EverGreen’s national “EverGreen Zone” initiative to raise public awareness about the benefits of green spaces. The nonprofit organization presented each winner with $100 and an award. Learn more at www.projectevergreen.com/akron.
West Coast Turf has formed West Coast Turf de Mexico, a full service sod nursery offering custom sod production, complete turf installation and hydroseeding/stolonizing services. Located in Los Planes, BCS, Mexico, near La Paz, West Coast Turf de Mexico is growing 20 turfgrass varieties, including Sea Spray seashore paspalum. The new location will service new golf course projects in Mexico, including Tom Doak’s Bay of Dreams, Querencia, Cabo del Sol, Cabo San Lucas Country Club, Cabo Real and Palmilla Golf Club. West Coast Turf is a full service sod grower and installer with six west coast locations in California, Arizona and Nevada.
At the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines’ South Course in San Diego in June, Eagle One hosted a breakfast and dinner for nearly 200 superintendents who volunteered at the course. The company also hosted a raffle during dinner and presented a course flag signed by all the superintendents to Mark Woodward, CGCS, then-manager of golf operations for San Diego and now the CEO of GCSAA.
The Power of More, the earning program offered by Dow AgroSciences, has been extended through the end of this month. The program allows users of the company’s turf and ornamental herbicides, fungicides and insecticides to earn cash rebates on purchases. Customers who purchase enough products to earn $500 in base rebates will also receive bonus rebates. Dow offers 33 participating products that earn rebates per unit purchases. Rebates for product purchases made between Dec. 1, 2007 and Aug. 31, 2008, must be mailed between Oct. 1 and Nov. 30 along with an invoice and claim form. Visit www.powerofmore.com for more information.
Sports Turf Specialties Inc. has been named the exclusive dealer for the Maredo line of golf course and sports turf maintenance equipment for Minnesota, Wisconsin, South Dakota and North Dakota. Sports Turf Specialties operates locations in Farmington, Minn., and Hudson, Wis.
Curt Brisco, superintendent at Fox Prairie Golf Club in Alexandria, Ind., and his wife, Diane, enjoyed a vacation in Las Vegas recently courtesy of Bayer Environmental Science. Brisco won the grand prize of the company’s “Stomp Out Stress” survey contest, which included American Express and US Airways gift cards to plan an ideal vacation.
Hillwood Country Club in Nashville, Tenn., kicked off its summer golf season with healthier fairways, thanks to The Toro Co.’s sweepstakes to win a ProCore processor. Hillwood CC’s general manager, Wallace Smith, entered the sweepstakes to win the machine, valued at $25,000. Mark Littlejohn, CGCS, has been the superintendent at Hillwood for 23 years.
People news
Target Specialty Products has hired Gabriel Towers as its plant pathologist to call on Arizona superintendents. A 10-year veteran in turfgrass education and research, Towers previously worked for the University of Arizona, Maricopa County Cooperative Extension as a turf research specialist.
The Oregon GCSA has presented $6,500 in scholarships for 2008 to four turf students at Oregon State University. Chad Kosel received the $3,000 Martin Scholarship; Jeff Mason received the group’s $1,500 Whitworth Scholarship; and Sam Elfstrom and Josh Lewis each received a $1,000 OGCSA/Bayer Environmental Science Scholarship.
Michael J. Donahue is the new Northeast area sales manager for Phoenix Environmental Care. With 20 plus years of experience in the Northeast U.S. golf and specialty markets, Donahue will cover the company’s specialty turf and ornamental markets in New England, from Maine to Virginia. He formerly worked for TurfLinks Inc.
BioSafe Systems has hired Kurt Nieminen as its horticulture inside sales and marketing assistant. Nieminen will support customer relationships, new distribution channels and product sales to landscapers, garden centers and distributors.
Michael Kuflik and Karen Hartman are the newest additions to the sales staff at DuPont Professional Products for its pest management, turf and golf businesses. Kuflik is the global account manager and will work on key U.S. and international accounts. Hartman, a 20-year veteran in sales for manufacturing and distribution, is the turf and ornamental sales representative for the Northeast, including the area from Virginia through Maine.
Richard Spitz, the new global managing director of Korn/Ferry International’s technology market, has joined ProLink Solutions’ new strategic advisory board. Spitz joins PGA Tour veteran Brad Faxon on the board, which will ultimately include six members.
Golf briefs
Stone Creek Properties plans a $1.5 billion, 60-acre resort village in Canmore, Alberta, Canada, which will include a scenic mountain golf course, a luxury hotel with 1,300 units, 400 residential units, a conference center, galleries, restaurants, a spa and 300 wilderness activity options. The Village at Silvertip is projected to draw around 200,000 visitors each year. Construction is expected late this year or early 2009 with the first phase scheduled to open in 2012. For more information, visit www.villageatsilvertip.com.
The Ponte Vedra Inn & Club has completed its renovation of the Lagoon Golf Course, a Bobby Weed design. The $5 million restoration included new tees, fairways and greens, routing changes on several holes, new turf standards and improved irrigation and drainage. The additions lengthened the course to more than 6,000 yards. Landscaping changes included adding spartina grass, purple love grass and gaillardia flowers to the course. Originally built with nine holes by Robert Trent Jones in 1961, the Lagoon Course was then expanded with a second nine in 1977 by Joe Lee. The Ponte Vedra Inn & Club also features the 18-hole Ocean Course.
Grand Reserve Golf Course in Bunnell, Fla., opened for play in early 2008. The par-71, 6,500-yard public access course was designed by golf course architects Michael Beebe of Palm Coast, Fla., and Bill Amick of Daytona Beach, Fla., both members of the American Society of Golf Course Architects. Routed among a series of hardwood wetlands typical of northeastern Florida, the course was designed with an emphasis on making it user-friendly for a wide range of skills. The course is owned and operated by Mike Pullen of Capstone Golf.
The Nam Hai, a luxury resort in Vietnam, announces that the first nine holes of its Montgomerie Links Vietnam Golf Club are open. The driving range is also open for play. Course developer Indochina Capital has committed $45 million to the golf course, which features Sea Isle Supreme paspalum grass, a driving range of more than 345 yards long and more than 100 yards wide. Five target greens provide varying distances for a range in players’ skills. Colin Montgomerie provided design and construction support for the course, which offers views of the Marble Mountains and the South China Sea.
Set to open in fall 2009, Santa Barbara Plantation in Curacao, Netherlands Antilles, is taking shape over the contour of the Caribbean Sea and the Spanish Waters. Measuring 7,200 yards from the championship tees, the Pete Dye-designed, 18-hole championship course will feature salt-tolerant paspalum grass that allows for irrigating with reclaimed water. Situated on 1,500 acres, the facility will also include an 8,000-square-foot clubhouse, a golf shop, restaurant, lounge and a 350-room Hyatt Regency Hotel. Santa Barbara Plantation will also feature a tennis center, outdoor pools and more.