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INDUSTRY NEWS |
As part of an effort to allow superintendents to do more for less, The Experience at FarmLinks is adding The Balkcom Group as a new partner in its On the Course Tour. A utilities consulting firm, The Balkcom Group enables companies to take control of a particular part of their operating budget, the company says. The first partner of The Experience without direct ties to the golf industry, the company can analyze a course’s expenses to identify cost reductions and refunds in areas like telecommunications, electricity, gas, water, waste disposal and workers’ compensation. The partnership comes at an ideal time, according to Brent Fuhrman, chief operations officer and chief financial officer for FarmLinks, which is working to wrap up projects like its Education Pavilion, adjacent headquarters and new lodging venues. “Not only will this new partnership be a valuable opportunity for visiting superintendents…FarmLinks will realize a savings of $10,000-$15,000, yearly, on our power bill alone,” Furhman said.
A new DVD from the American Society of Golf Course Architects offers a look into the course renovation process, with emphasis on financing options and case studies of courses that successfully navigated the process. Titled “Excellence Restored: A Guide to Golf Course Renovation,” the DVD is produced by the ASGCA in cooperation with the Club Managers Association of America. The DVD describes the benefits and process of renovation from the viewpoints of all those involved, from the architect, manager and superintendent to the club owner. Also included is background from experts and illustrations of the process through applicable case studies. A companion booklet comes with the DVD. To order a copy of “Excellence Restored,” visit the Publications page of the ASGCA Web site at www.asgca.org, or call the organization at 262-786-5960.
Golfpreserves is a new program that packages sequestered carbon created by participating golf courses and sells the verified credits. Revenue through sales will be routed into research projects that focus on the golf industry, carbon sequestration and environmentally improved turfgrass, irrigation and pesticide use, the company says. It adds that in general, golf course turfgrass creates a net increase in carbon sequestration compared to the land a course is built on. For more information, contact Golfpreserves, (www.golfpreserves.com).
The LPGA announces its 2009 scholarship opportunities for female high school seniors who have played golf during high school. Three scholarships, available through the LPGA Foundation for female golfers planning on attending an accredited college or university, are: The Marilynn Smith Scholarship for $3,000, two of which will be awarded; The Dinah Shore Scholarship for $5,000; and The Phyllis G. Meekins Scholarship, a need-based scholarship that goes to a minority. The deadline for applications is May 15, 2009. Visit www.lpgafoundation.org for criteria and application forms.
Through a new alliance among the National Golf Foundation, Travelers insurance company and the Insurance Office of America, customers can now access a customized suite of golf-specific insurance products and risk management tools with Travelers Eagle 3, which is also endorsed by the PGA Tour. Announced earlier this year at the Golf Industry Show in New Orleans, the alliance will offer property and casualty coverage plus a comprehensive payroll management system that incorporates a full range of employee benefit products. The initiative will be led by the NGF.
A new online tool developed by LebanonTurf is designed to calculate the efficiency of fertilizer and drive donations to Project EverGreen each time a turf professional using the program requests more information. The NutriLife Fertilizer Calculator can help superintendents determine how much fertilizer is needed. Project EverGreen, a non-profit service representing the green industry, will receive a $5 donation for each request for more information. Access the online tool at www.projectevergreen.com/lebanonturf/.
The USGA, which announced earlier this year at the Golf Industry Show in New Orleans that it will become a participating partner of the GIS starting in 2010 in San Diego, has announced its president and officers for the upcoming year. James. F. Vernon of Pasadena, Calif., has been elected to serve a second one-year term as president of the organization. Vernon will continue to lead the association’s professional staff and more than 1,400 volunteers who serve on more than 30 committees. Other elected officers of the group’s executive committee are: James B. Hyler Jr., vice president, Raleigh, N.C.; Cameron Jay Rains, vice president, San Diego; James T. Bunch, secretary, Denver; and Irving Fish, treasurer, Wayzata, Minn. The three newly elected members of the 2009 executive committee are: Glen D. Nager, Washington, D.C.; Christopher A. Liedel, Vienna, Va.; and Gene McClure, Atlanta.
Horizon recently paired with Pavestone Co. to offer Pavestone products in 11 states. Pavestone manufactures segmental concrete products such as concrete pave stones, retaining wall units, edgers and stepping stones.
Bayer CropScience LP has given North Carolina State University a $1 million endowment to establish a Chair of Sustainable Development at the school. Given by Pascal Housset, president and head of the Environmental Science business operations unit at Bayer, to Johnny Wynne, Ph.D., the school’s dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the endowment should fund research efforts to address global climate change, population growth and food and water shortages, Wynne said. A culture of sustainability is a shared goal by NC State and Bayer, the groups say, and one that is reflected throughout Bayer internally and externally through business practices and new products that are dedicated to reducing carbon by promoting plant growth.
Floratine Products Group invites superintendents to share their stories of the challenges they face every day through its “Real Men of Greenness” promotion. The promotion’s Web site features parody songs that, for each time listened to, will earn a donation toward St. Jude Children’s Hospital to fight against childhood illness. Hosted by fictional golfer Vern Holiday, the site collects superintendent stories that may be chosen for use in future Real Men of Greenness tributes. To submit your story, visit www.floratine.com/realmen_of_greenness.
The Iowa Turfgrass Institute recently honored Steve Tyler, regional sales director/new product coordinator for Standard Golf, with its Meritorious Service Award for outstanding service. Recognized for co-founding the institute and serving on its board of directors for more than five years, Tyler received the award at the 75th Annual Iowa Turfgrass and Trade Shows in Des Moines, Iowa. ITI was founded in 1980 to foster research, education and dissemination of turfgrass information.
James Symons, a GCSAA member and superintendent at Heritage Shores Golf Course in Bridgeville, Del., is the first winner of Phoenix Environmental Care’s “Touch This and Win!” promotion, earning him an iPod Touch. The promotion awarded the gadget to the first superintendent, assistant superintendent or aquatic applicator to locate an iPod Touch image on the company’s Web site. The promotion is designed to promote the launch of Phoenix’s new Web site, www.phoenixenvcare.com.
Concurrent with the World Golf Foundation’s announcement of the “Get Golf Ready in 5 Days” player-development initiative, The Toro Co. announced its support of the program aimed at the development of adult golfers. The program will receive $30,000 from Toro over the next three years. Toro has a history of involvement in grow-the-game efforts, including The First Tee, the Golf Course Builders Association of America’s “Sticks for Kids” program, the National Amputee Golfers Association and Tee It Up For The Troops, among others.
Two spots are available on the sports calendar for the 2016 Summer Olympic games, and the International Golf Federation is lobbying the International Olympic Committee to see golf fill one of those slots. ForeFront, a supplier of golf accessories, has also supported the effort with a Web site, www.golfin2016.org, where individuals can cast their votes for golf. Responses will be used to provide a compelling argument for golf in 2016, the company says. Six sports besides golf are also vying for the positions: baseball, softball, karate, rugby sevens, squash and roller sports. Voting at www.golfin2016.org will run through September.
The number of golf course builders certified by the GCBAA is at an all-time high. With three members recently attaining certification, the number of certified builders is now at 35. The group offers different levels of membership starting with builder applicants, associate builders, builder members and certified builders.
Golf Academy of America, a two-year golf career college, announces its sponsorship of the American Junior Golf Association’s Preseason Junior Series. A series of eight events held from March through May, the Golf Academy of America Preseason Junior Series offers more than 675 playing opportunities to junior golfers, ages 12 through 18. The events are designed specifically for first-time AJGA members or members who have not yet participated in an AJGA.
Earlier this year, Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter presented the 2009 CO-LABS Governor’s Awards for research impact to five scientists from Colorado federal research laboratories. The USDA National Wildlife Center in Fort Collins, Colo., received the award in the natural resources category for its development of OvoControl, a contraceptive for birds. Beginning in 1998, scientists at the center, in collaboration with Innolytics, developed the OvoControl formula, which reduces egg production and hatchability in birds. The effects are temporary and do not harm the birds, other animals or humans. The team conducted trials over seven years to test the product’s use and its effect on the environment.
At the Golf Industry Show in New Orleans, the Club Managers Association of America elected its 2009 officers and board of directors during its 82nd World Conference on Club Management. Michael G. Leemhuis, CCM, CCE, general manager and CEO of Congressional Country Club, Bethesda, Md., was elected president; Allan S.U. Lum, CCM, CCE, general manager of Waialae Country Club in Honolulu, was elected vice president; and Kevin Carroll, CCM, CCE, general manager/chief operating officer of The Loxahatchee Club in Jupiter, Fla., was elected secretary/treasurer. Elected or re-elected as directors were: Richard H. Bayliss Jr., CCM, CCE, COO of The Lost Tree Club in North Palm Beach, Fla.; Jill Philmon, CCM, general manager of Columbia Country Club in Blythewood, S.C.; Randall J. Ruder, CCM, CCE, general manager of Beach Point Club in Mamaroneck, N.Y.; and David V. Stieglitz, CCM, general manager of Jacksonville (Fla.) Golf and Country Club.
Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Bandon, Ore., announced that its renowned fourth course, Old Macdonald, is now taking reservations for limited preview play from now through Oct. 1, 2009. Designed by Tom Doak and Jim Urbina, Old Macdonald will be available to guests on a 10-hole loop. The full 18-hole course is scheduled to open on June 1, 2010. Design and strategies of the layout on each hole can be linked to the design attributes by the course’s namesake and a legendary U.S. architect, Charles Blair Macdonald. Kenneth Nice is the Class A superintendent at Bandon Dunes.
Novozymes Biologicals announces the opening of its new Dry Agricultural Products Manufacturing Facility in Merriam, Ind., which produces granular and soluble fertilizer products for the Roots Plant Care business. The 48,000-square-foot facility triples Novozymes’ previous capabilities. The Salem, Va.-based company originally announced plans for the new plant in April 2007, when zoning laws drove the company from its previous facility in Albion, Ind.
People news
Kristin Zsoldos has been promoted to marketing manager for Wright Commercial Products. Since joining the commercial mower manufacturing company in 2005, Zsoldos has worked as a distributor relations manager, handling sales and marketing responsibilities.
John J. Stevenson has been named vice president of sales and marketing for New Holland Agriculture in North America. A veteran in the equipment industry and experienced in senior management positions, Stevenson will work out of New Holland’s North American headquarters in New Holland, Pa.
DuPont Professional Products announces Bruce Steward, Ph.D., as its product development manager for turf and ornamentals. With more than 25 years of experience in the industry, Steward will serve the Midwest and West territories and will conduct product development research studies with the company’s pipeline active ingredients and also provide technical service for DuPont’s existing line of products.
Peter Farno has been named the global portfolio manager for the green industry for Bayer Environmental Science’s global headquarters in Lyon, France. Farno previously served as director of marketing for Bayer’s U.S. professional pest management business. His responsibilities will span the golf, lawn care, nursery/greenhouse and industrial vegetation management markets. He also has worked as the fungicide business manager for Aventis Environmental Science.
Randy Lusher is the new sales specialist for BASF Turf & Ornamentals’ Illinois and Wisconsin territories. Lusher will work with superintendents, distributors, nursery/greenhouse growers and lawn care operators.
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Co. announces Peter Korda as its senior vice president. Overseeing all aspects of the company’s LawnService business division, Korda will be responsible for continuing growth and enhancing the company’s service platform. Having joined the company in 2004, Korda has held jobs in strategy and support functions, oversight of field and franchise operations and leadership of the LawnService division.
David Konke is the new chief financial officer and chief operating officer for Precision Laboratories. With experience in operations and finance fields, Konke will be responsible for managing purchasing, manufacturing, inventory control, warehousing, freight traffic, customer service, accounting, human resources and treasury functions.
Golf briefs
Golf Inc. magazine has recently named the winners of its annual Renovation of the Year competition: TPC Four Seasons Resort Las Colinas, Irving, Texas; Naperville (Ill.) Country Club; and Manila Country Club in Makati City, Philippines. The winners received the awards last month at Golf Inc.’s spring conference at the World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Fla. John Cunningham, CGCS, is the superintendent at TPC Four Seasons Resort Las Colinas, and Timothy Anderson, CGCS, is the superintendent at Naperville CC.
The first Arthur Hills-designed golf course in Mexico officially opened recently at Paraiso del Mar in La Paz, Baja California. Paraiso del Mar is a residential resort community on 1,700 acres of secluded peninsula that extends out into the Sea of Cortez. Set on the sandy peninsula, the 18-hole course was designed with a minimalist approach to preserve the existing natural beauty of the terrain, says Brian Yoder, partner at Arthur Hills/Steve Forrest and Associates. A par-72, 7,100-yard course, Paraiso del Mar will be Mexico’s first Audubon International Signature Sanctuary development. The course was built with the latest generation of Salam, a salt-tolerant turfgrass strain that thrives on briny water. More than 800 of the 1,700 acres have been set aside for wildlife sanctuaries, mangrove preserves and a biological corridor.