Industry News

Avian Flu Information Pack available

The spread of avian influenza (also called H5N1 virus) in Asia and worldwide concerns about the possibility of an influenza pandemic have attracted the attention of both golfers and golf course workers. Their concern is based on the fact that migratory birds common on golf courses may spread the disease.

Now, GCSAA members can get a free Information Packet about Avian Influenza online. The packet includes links to a number of resources on the subject from OSHA, the USDA and the World Health Organization.

Aquatrols contributes to effective water use

Aquatrols, an innovator in soil surfactant technology, continued its contributions to efficient use of water at the 2006 Golf Industry Show.

The company's booth included a mini-seminar series with six superintendents and four researchers speaking about their experiences and studies with Dispatch and Revolution. And company representatives presented the Environmental Institute for Golf with a $10,000 contribution to the Aquatrols Robert A. Moore Endowment.

The endowment, administered through The Environmental Institute for Golf, was established in 2000 and recognizes the contributions of Aquatrols and its founder Bob Moore. It supports applied research in optimizing the growing environment and resource use for golf course turf.

In 2005 the endowment began funding the project, Assessing Golf Course Water Management Options Under Drought Emergency, conducted in Las Vegas by Dale Devitt, Ph.D., of the University of Nevada-Reno.

Tracy Moore Jarman, CEO and daughter of Aquatrols' founder, said, “Aquatrols' vision is to be known for innovative quality products, outstanding customer service and technical contributions. We are always working on this and were pleased to be doing some of it at GIS – through our booth and in our ongoing support of research on better resource use through EIFG."

Moore, who hasn't missed a Conference & Show since 1958, adds, “I am just so glad to be here. To see how the industry has grown, the great group of people working for Aquatrols – and to still be making new contributions - is beyond all expectations I had at the start.”

Contact http://www.aquatrols.com, (800) 257-7797.

January rounds up 30 percent

Same-facility rounds played in the U.S. were up 29.8 percent in the month of January 2006 vs. January 2005. January data was reported by 1,953 golf facility operators across the country. “Increases in the southern regions were material,” says NGF president Joe Beditz, “because facilities in those areas are doing their highest volume now. The January increase bodes well, but the year-to-date 30 percent number will come down dramatically as the year progresses.”

Wide swings in the frost belt were due to:

• Low volume – for example, a facility in the Upper Midwest had 115 rounds in January 2005 and 801 rounds in January 2006, an increase of 597 percent;
• An increase in play days – for example, the Northeast had an average of 4.9 play days last January and 8.0 play days this January; the Lower Midwest had 4.5 play days last year and 11.2 this year.

In the Southwest, the large positive swing was more of a correction to normal weather – the region was down 19 percent from January 2004 to January 2005 due to fewer play days brought on by heavy rains.

Rounds Played, January 2006 vs. January 2005
Source: NGF/Allied Golf Associations

Public facilities fall into one of three categories based on peak season weekend green fees with cart:

Premium (High) - Above $70
Standard (Middle) - $40-$70
Value (Low) - Below $40

Because rounds are weighted by volume, large increases or decreases (for example, in the Midwest) don't have a big impact on the national number of 29.8 percent. Put another way, the national figure is not a simple average of the other percentages, but rather a weighted average by volume.

For more information on the National Golf Foundation, visit www.ngf.org.

California is looking for IPM innovators

The California Department of Pesticide Regulation is looking for candidates for its IPM Innovators awards, honoring organizations in the state that have emphasized pest prevention, favored least-hazardous pest management and shared their successful strategies with others.

Since 1994 the agency has given out approximately 100 IPM Innovator
awards. According to DPR, an IPM Innovator typically has a history of using pest management systems to reduce the risks posed by the use of traditional control practices, showing that their pest management concept is economically viable, and documenting and sharing that system so others can learn and apply the information to their situation.

For more on the program visit http://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/ipminov/innovatr.htm.

Nominees should have:

• A pest management systems approach based on preferential use of cultural practices, beneficial organisms and other scientific principles of IPM that reduce risk.
• An organizational structure that allows for research and the continued development of new ideas.
• Education and outreach that encourages the sharing of ideas and information.
• An administrative organization that unifies and supports the collective efforts of participants and provides opportunities to expand the number of participants.

Nominations are due by March 31. For more information contact Bob Elliott, (916) 445-3914 , mailto:belliott@cdpr.ca.gov.