Divot Mix

"A hazardless golf links is Hamlet without the Prince of Denmark, or whisky and soda without the whisky. It is insipid and uneventful, that is, it is not a golf links." -- Horace Hutchinson

EDS offers Byron Nelson chopper

When golfers think of Byron Nelson, a chopper from Orange County Choppers might not be the first thing that pops into their minds. But if Davis Love III can ride an OCC chopper, why not build one for the the Byron Nelson Championship?

So that's exactly what EDS, sponsor of the tournament has done. Actually they had two of them built, and one is going to be auctioned to raise money for Salesmanship Club Youth & Family Centers – the other one goes to the winner of the 2007 EDS Byron Nelson Championship. It you have ever dreamed of having your very own Orange County Chopper, this is your chance.

For motorcycle fans, the mention of classic motorcycle styling brings up thoughts of strength, reliability and a bygone era where hand tooled quality was king. Much like Byron Nelson himself, the classic lines of the 2007 EDS Byron Nelson Chopper are inspired by mid-20th century design calling to mind the heyday of Nelson's career. These beauties are built like rocks to take hard knocks.

For the 2007 EDS Byron Nelson Championship chopper, Orange County Chopper will put its own spin on the Classic Indian by building a chain-drive, rigid frame with 21-inch rims. The unique design will also incorporate:

• Elements of wood and steel to represent the irons and persimmon woods of the Nelson golf era
• A chip-based radio frequency identification technology (RFID) tag implanted in the bike's ignition so that only the rider is able to arm and disarm the security system
• Custom OCC designed wheels with eleven spokes represent Nelson’s unheard of 11 consecutive victories
• Seat is custom stitched with the EDS Byron Nelson Championship 2007 logo – forever marking this chopper's place in history
• Diamond cut fins on the engine and other details to be revealed combine to make a visually distinctive motorcycle

Early bidder pre-qualification launches Friday, April 20 and the auction runs from April 25  to May 2. For information on how to sign up, click here.

In addition to the chopper, EDS is also auctioning an Ultimate Golf Ball Frenzy Pinball machine for charity.

GCSAA’s nutrient use survey needs superintendent input

The closing date for the third survey in GCSAA’s Golf Course Environmental Profile Project is Friday, April 27. Data are needed from as many golf courses as possible. GCSAA members and non-member superintendents may complete the survey.

Those who complete the survey will be entered into a random drawing for a $250 gift card (one card to be awarded in each of the country’s seven agronomic regions). In addition, members will receive .25 service points.

The Toro Foundation donated $50,000 to The Environmental Institute for Golf to continue its support of the project. 

GEE plans first technical projects

The first meeting of Golf Environment Europe’s Innovation and Technology Network has announced plans for more than 20 separate environmental information projects for 2007.

Chaired by the Sports Turf Research Institute, the first meeting of the network was attended by representatives of Golf Environment Europe, the Scandinavian Turfgrass Foundation and the University of Pisa.  The Network also collaborates with North Carolina State University.

The meeting and first suite of projects were supported by Syngenta and Ransomes Jacobsen.

The steering committee of the network also put out a call to golf course managers across Europe for their thoughts on what specific environmental information and technology would be of the most value in the future.

The network provides the opportunity for companies based or active in Europe, and with an interest in the long term sustainability of golf, to assist practitioners in continuing to adapt to environmental issues. It also provides industry manufacturers and suppliers with the opportunity to support technical projects across a number of different topics.

Key issues to be addressed within the I&T project agenda are:

• Turfgrass management
• Pollution prevention
• Water resource management
• Golf course ecology
• Waste management
• Energy efficiency and renewables
• Climate change

With the development of a single web based environmental information center, the outputs of the Network will be accessible to all practitioners within golf and all those interested in the relationship between golf and the environment.

For more information on the network visit www.golfenvironmenteurope.org.

PGMS searching for top golf course grounds

The Professional Grounds Management Society is looking to honor the nation’s top golf course grounds maintenance programs with its Green Star Awards. The program brings national recognition to grounds maintained with a high degree of excellence.

It complements other national landscape award programs that recognize outstanding landscape design and construction by saluting the superintendent and staff responsible for maintaining a well manicured landscape year round.

In all, grounds management professionals can choose among 15 categories: small sites; residential landscapes; public works sites; shopping areas; hospitals or institutions; government buildings or complexes; cemeteries or memorial parks; industrial, commercial sites or office parks; parks, recreation areas or playgrounds; multiple sites under management companies; condominium or apartment complexes; hotel, motel or resorts; amusement parks, theme parks or zoos; athletic fields, professional fields or golf courses; and school grounds, university and college grounds, or urban university grounds. 

There are two classes of awards, the Grand and the Honor. Only one Grand Award will be given, while judges may grant as many Honor Awards as they deem deserving. Last year, Stone Mountain Golf Club in Stone Mountain, Ga., was honored as a Grand Award winner in the Golf Course Category. Winning entries will be honored at the 2007 Awards Banquet in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, Oct. 27.