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John O’Keefe, CGCS, director of golf course management at Preakness Hills Country Club in Wayne, N.J., and a member of
GCSAA’s board of directors, is the recipient of the Sherwood A. Moore Award given by the Metropolitan GCSA. A past president of the Met GCSA, O’Keefe is the 13th recipient of the award, which began with its namesake, Sherwood A. Moore, in 1987 and recognizes those who have advanced the image, status and reputation of the golf course superintendent. O’Keefe has been a GCSAA member since 1979 and a certified golf course superintendent since 1987. He also has served on a variety of GCSAA committees, including Certification, Nominating, Career Development, Chapter Relations and Membership.
A new multimedia portal from the EPA is designed to be a one-stop location for environmental video, audio/podcasts and photography. Available at www.epa.gov/multimedia, the site includes interactive features such as “Ask EPA” and the deputy administrator’s blog, “Flow of the River.” Another feature called “EPA in Action” demonstrates the diversity of jobs performed by EPA employees and examines some of the most critical environmental issues today. Users can subscribe to several podcast series or pick from an offering of individual podcasts featuring EPA experts and senior officials.
Stens Corp. has partnered with Liquid Combustion Technology to become its exclusive parts distributor in North America. Under the agreement, Stens also will manage the service network, recruit new service centers and process all warranty claims. Liquid Combustion Technology conceptualizes, designs, patents and engineers small engines. Initially, Stens, a subsidiary of Ariens Co., will offer the company’s 6-hp, 8.5-hp and 12-hp engines and parts.
At the 2008 Golf Industry Show held earlier this year in Orlando, Smithco presented two “Founders Cup” trophies for its annual awards for outstanding distributor performance in sales and support of its turf machinery products. The International Distributor of the Year went to Mikuni Corp., Machinery Division of Tokyo. The North American Distributor of the Year went to G.C. Duke Co. Ltd. of Burlington, Ontario, Canada.
Hustler Turf Equipment broke ground recently on a 55,000-square-foot expansion of its Hesston, Kan., facility. The project will allow more production space, a new shipping dock for outbound finished goods, restrooms, offices and a new employee break room. The expansion is expected to be completed this July.
IVI-Golf/Sandtrapper has introduced a series of external educational opportunities packaged especially for GCSAA. Bunkers360 is a GCSAA-accredited education program focused exclusively on bunker construction, renovation and maintenance. Four events are scheduled for 2008 (one already took place in April in conjunction with the Virginia Turfgrass Association). Topics include bunkers and the master plan; designing for maintenance; restoration and renovation; budget considerations; project management; guidelines for communication to member/golfers; financing; and more. The sessions consist of four hours of training and an on-site bunker project in a hands-on setting. Attendees completing the course will gain access to the company’s Bunker Toolbox, a collection of speaker outlines/notes, project planning templates, tutorials, presentation tools and sample spreadsheets. For more information, contact Brian Flynn, 941-721-3532 or visit www.bunkers360.com.
This year marks the 100th anniversary for Briggs & Stratton Corp., manufacturer of air-cooled gasoline engines for outdoor power equipment. It plans a variety of festivities in Milwaukee, its corporate headquarters, as well as many worldwide locations, to celebrate, it says. In 1908, Stephen F. Briggs and Harold M. Stratton laid the groundwork for the company, delving into a variety of industries such as engine-powered bicycles, electric refrigerators, fuses, auto igniters and more. Today the company employs more than 8,000 people with 10 manufacturing facilities worldwide. It also produces generators, pressure washers, pumps, walk-behind and riding lawn mowers, trimmers, hedgers and more.
Foley United recently awarded Smith Turf & Irrigation its Distributor of the Year award. The annual award recognizes distributors that combine volume, increased sales and outstanding service levels in the field, the company says. Smith Turf & Irrigation is a longtime Toro distributor serving the Carolinas, Tennessee and Virginia.
The Ohio Turfgrass Foundation has elected its 2008 officers and trustees. Todd Voss, the Class A director of golf at Double Eagle Club, Galena, Ohio, was elected president; Dan Walter, Class A superintendent for the City of Blue Ash (Ohio) Golf Course, is vice president; and Joe Enciso, Century Equipment, is treasurer. All officers will serve one-year terms. Trustees, who were elected to three-year terms, are Jason Straka, an affiliate GCSAA member with Hurdzan/Fry Golf Course Design, and Doug Gallant, head groundskeeper for the Cincinnati Reds.
Precision Laboratories Inc. announces a product alliance with Agrium Advanced Technologies to manufacture and market 0-0-20 turf fertilizer with 10.6 percent Cascade Plus throughout Canada. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency granted registration for the product’s water infiltration chemistry of Cascade Plus when combined with a unique fertilizer blend, the companies said.
Becker Underwood Inc. has gained exclusive rights to market HERC Products Inc.’s patented salt management technology to turf, horticulture and agriculture markets through an agreement between the two companies. The technology will be marketed to the golf and professional grounds maintenance markets under the SaLibre brand name, and to the horticulture and agriculture markets under the Line Out brand.
Joseph L. Fairchild, a veteran in golf course management and development, has created a new company specializing in management, marketing and development in the golf course industry. Fairchild Golf, based out of Anaheim Hills, Calif., will focus on management of daily fee and resort golf courses, construction of new designs and courses currently under construction or renovation.
In an alliance between Signature Control Systems Inc. and Environmental Sensors Inc., various sensor probe technologies will be made available to golf, sports turf and commercial turf markets, the companies say. By combining controllers, desktop and Web-based software with sensors for monitoring soil moisture, salinity, soil temperature and wetted front, Signature says it gains opportunities to grow into markets such as golf and turf management. The combined technology is currently under patent application.
Arlington Design & Associates, a firm that specializes in the design and master planning of golf course maintenance centers, has relocated from West Palm Beach, Fla., to Columbus, Ohio. The central location of the Midwest and the proximity of a local university are what prompted the move, the company says.
At the recent Southeastern Conference held by the New York State Turfgrass Association, Phoenix Environmental Care LLC made a donation of $10,000 to the group to go toward turfgrass research. The donation was recommended by the company’s board of advisers, which comprises superintendents, called “Friends of Phoenix.” The contribution also is part of the company’s commitment to give back a portion of company sales to organizations and universities that support the green industry and local superintendents.
Coolwell, manufacturer of a golf car climate control system, has partnered with Club Car to offer its golf car-mounted cooling and heating unit as an after-market accessory on Precedent i2 and DS model cars. The unit mounts beside the car’s sweater basket and directs cool or warm air onto the necks and faces of riders. Coolwell also is joining the Club Car Solutions Network, a group of companies whose products and services complement Club Car.
People news
Jim Kinservik has joined the sales staff at Jacklin Seed Co. He will oversee various existing export accounts and will continue his previous duties within domestic markets. Kinservik has more than 23 years of experience at Jacklin.
Scott Packard, president and CEO of Wright Tree Service Inc., was recently installed as chair of the Tree Care Industry Association. Packard began his service on the TCIA board in 2005. He will serve a one-year term. The group also welcomed Scott Jamieson, president and CEO of The Care of Trees, to its board of directors. He previously served on the board from 2002 to 2004.
Steve Lesnik, co-founder and CEO of KemperSports, recently stepped down from his role and announced Steve Skinner, previously president and COO of the company, as his successor effective March 1. Skinner, who joined the company in 1998, is the second CEO in the company’s 30-year history.
Don Davis is the new manufacturer’s representative for Seago International Inc. His territory will include Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida panhandle. Davis has more than 20 years of experience in the turf industry.
Joe Burke has been named business manager of imidacloprid products for Bayer Environmental Science. He will be responsible for marketing the company’s Merit insecticide, Allectus insecticide, CoreTect insecticide and other imidacloprid products. Burke has worked for Bayer since 2000.
AccuWeather.com announces Robert Henry has been promoted to general manager, a position created in light of the company’s online traffic and business. Henry will oversee the development of AccuWeather.com and its membership sites. He previously worked as director of the company’s Web site and oversaw a redesign in 2007.
Golf briefs
The Abu Dhabi Golf Club and The Montgomerie, Dubai, both managed by Troon Golf, took top prizes at the recent Middle East Golf Awards. Abu Dhabi GC, home to the European PGA Tour’s Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, won the “Golf Club of the Year” and “Best 18 Holes” awards. The Montgomerie (pictured) won the “Best Service” award. Designed by Colin Montgomerie, the course features an 18-hole championship course and a nine-hole par-3 course. The GCSAA member at The Abu Dhabi GC is Marcus Hartup, international superintendent member, while Colin Thorsborne is the international superintendent member at The Montgomerie.
Delray Beach, Fla.-based The Hamlet Country Club recently received a restoration study by Welsh golf architect Ian Scott-Taylor. The Hamlet, an 18-hole regulation course, was designed by Joe Lee in 1972 and opened for play in 1973. Past renovation projects and damage from repeated recent hurricanes have shifted many holes into a different shape than Lee’s original design. Scott-Taylor walked the course and gave recommendations that were similar to Lee’s suggestions before his death in 2002. Scott-Taylor was expected to give recommendations for a renovation to the course’s committee this spring for a long-range improvement plan that will encompass Lee’s original design. Work is scheduled to begin this month.
Foothills Development Corp. recently purchased Gold Creek Golf Club in Dawsonville, Ga., renamed it, purchased another surrounding 166 acres and plans to transform it into a lifestyle community property. The course will be designed by Steve Smyers and managed by Private Club Associates of Macon, Ga. The existing Gold Creek Golf Club opened in 1995 and contains about 100 residences. Foothill Development plans to rebuild the golf course over 180 acres and develop another 175 acres with housing and other amenities.
Misión La Serena in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico, features a Jack Nicklaus Signature 18-hole course (pictured) and a second 18-hole course, a Greg Norman Signature. The first nine holes of the Nicklaus course opened in late 2007, and the first nine holes of the Norman course will be completed this spring. Misión La Serena is a beachfront property within Puerto Los Cabos, a master-planned development situated on 8 acres near the Sea of Cortez.
The accomplishment of building a new 18-hole resort golf course in one year will be showcased when Old Marsh Country Club, Wells, Maine, hosts its grand opening this July. A real estate golf community with 131 homes, Old Marsh CC is a semi-private club that’s open to public play. The course’s architect, Brian Silva, used techniques typical to Florida courses because of the site’s swampy environment — 12 ponds encompassing 20 acres were excavated, and the resulting material was used to raise up the playing area and shape course features. The layout features wide fairways with random bunkers and large greens with broad undulations. The 17th green is 15,000 square feet. Project superintendent Clayton Longfellow coordinated the construction effort. Harris Golf is the project developer.
Cougar Canyon Golf Links, Trinidad, Colo., has been named one of the “Top 10 New Courses You Can Play” by Golf Magazine. Opened in 2007 and created by Nicklaus Design, Cougar Canyon features a combination of desert and mountain terrain with split fairways, pedestal greens and black sand bunkers. The Sangre de Cristo mountain range serves as a backdrop to the par-72, 18-hole links-style course. Plans for future amenities include a hotel, spa and fitness facilities, a community recreation center, tennis courts, swimming pools and a 3,000-acre nature conservancy with an 8-mile trail.
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