Divot Mix

NewsWeekly off for the holidays

Due the holidays, there won't be any NewsWeekly on Dec. 27. We'll be back online with a new issue on Jan. 3.

Is this the year of the motorcycle?

It appears that 2008 is going to be the year of the motorcycle in the turfgrass industry. There are now three opportunities win a motorcycle.

In addition to the Harley Davidson raffle by the Golf Course Builders Association of America, the Club Foundation is also raffling off a 2008 XL1200C Sportster donated by Jonas Software.

But the most unusual raffle is the one announced by the Cactus and Pine GCSA. It's a custom-built chopper by Evolution Custom Cycles in Tempe, Ariz., that features a unique golf theme and has an estimated value of $50,000. The raffle is open to the general public, with all proceeds of the ticket sales benefiting The First Tee of Phoenix. 

The chopper will be on display at a number of special events and venues April 2008, including the 2008 FBR Open and the 2008 Super Bowl.  Raffle tickets will be sold for $20, and will be available for purchase anywhere the chopper is being displayed.  Tickets also can be purchased directly through the Cactus and Pine GCSA by calling 480-609-6778 or by visiting http://www.cactusandpine.org/.
 
"We wanted to create a program that would help educate the public on the economic and environmental benefits of the golf industry, while at the same time giving something back to the community," said Carmella Ruggiero, executive director of the Cactus and Pine GCSA.  "The First Tee of Phoenix does a fantastic job teaching Valley children valuable life skills through the game of golf, so this was a natural fit."

Incorporated into the design of the chopper were several golf course superintendent "tools of the trade."  Many of the tools utilized in the bike are very noticeable; however, some require a closer look.

First and most easily identifiable is the lever eject cup cutter which makes up the entire handle bar assembly and headlight.  The wheels by Platinum Machine incorporate spokes that are USGA Stimpmeters, while the foot pegs and foot controls are 1¼-inch side-eject aerification tines and ¾-inch solid aerification tines. The air cleaner is a regulation cup setting tool and the exhaust, by Wicked Brothers Exhaust, is modeled after a leaf blower discharge chute.

Looking for new education opportunities?

The 2008 GCSAA Education Conference is offering 21 new seminars, combined with more than 100 additional popular offerings, cover the many issues and challenges you face each day. 

"Nowhere else will you find the breadth, depth and quality of continuing education brought together in one place for golf course superintendents," said Shari Koehler, GCSAA director of education.

"The GCSAA Education Conference provides something for everyone. Not only do superintendents have direct access to education that sharpens and improves their technical skills, but also a host of business, management and leadership education that will benefit both them and their facility. Access to top university and industry experts, as well as unparalleled peer-to-peer networking opportunities makes this a must-attend event," said Koehler.

To select seminars or check out the many educational sessions open to all full-package conference registrants, visit http://www.gcsaa.org/gis/2008/ed.asp.

Intelligent Use Of Water Summit set for Dec. 31

Rain Bird has announced its panel of experts for The Intelligent Use of Water Summit VIII, A Look at Global Conservation Initiatives and Strategies: Leading By Example. 

The event will be Dec. 31, at the Pasadena (Calif.) Hilton from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and will discuss water conservation initiatives and strategies relating to landscape irrigation.

Dan Stark, executive director of the American Public Gardens Association, will moderate the symposium and will lead a panel discussion in which panelists will share their professional contributions toward furthering outdoor water conservation.

The panel members are:

• Mike Binns, regional landscape director, Camden Living (Houston, Texas)
• Roger Cook, landscape contractor, This Old House (Burlington, Mass.)
• Marty Eberhardt, executive director of The Water Conservation Garden (El Cajon, Calif.)
• Steve Windhager, director, landscape restoration, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (Austin, Texas)
• David Zoldoske, director, Center for Irrigation Technology (Fresno, Calif.)

Prior to the start of the summit, Rain Bird will officially recognize The Water Conservation Garden as the winner of The 2007 Intelligent Use of Water Award by presenting panelist Marty Eberhardt with an award check for $10,000.

Established in 2005 as a forum to further define the relationship between water conservation and outdoor water use, Rain Bird's eighth Intelligent Use of Water Summit will build upon the success of the previous seven Summits by featuring five professionals who are "leading by example." Their contributions to reducing outdoor water waste have encouraged others to follow suit and have raised awareness of the need to conserve this precious resource.
 
This is the fourth Summit that coincides with Rain Bird's participation in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena. Other venues have included: Aix-en-Provence, France; Tucson, Ariz.; Madrid, Spain; and Arcadia, Calif. The two-hour summit will conclude with a question-and-answer session with the audience. The panel discussion is open to the public, and transcripts and photos will be available following the event. Contact http://www.rainbird.com/iuow/.

EPA seeks comments on endocrine disruptor screening program

The EPA is calling for comments about draft policies and procedures for the initial screening of pesticide chemicals under the agency's Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program. The comments should focus on the specific policies and related procedures that EPA will follow to impose data requirements, minimize duplicate testing, promote equitable cost-sharing, and protect confidential business information.

The EDSP was established in response to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, which requires EPA to develop a screening program to identify pesticide chemicals that may have effects on the endocrine system. This provision was enacted in response to growing scientific evidence that humans, domestic animals, and fish and wildlife species have exhibited adverse health consequences from exposure to environmental chemicals that interact with their endocrine systems.

EPA will require the use of validated assays to screen pesticides, commercial chemicals, and environmental contaminants in relation to estrogen, androgen, and thyroid hormones.

For more information: http://www.epa.gov/scipoly/oscpendo/pubs/regaspects/index.htm.

2007 a top-10 year for U.S. and Global temperatures

January - November 2007 statewide temperature rankings.

The year 2007 is on pace to become one of the 10 warmest years for the contiguous U.S., since national records began in 1895, according to preliminary data from NOAA's National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, N.C.

The year was marked by exceptional drought in the U.S. Southeast and the West, which helped fuel another extremely active wildfire season. The year also brought outbreaks of cold air, and killer heat waves and floods. Meanwhile, the global surface temperature for 2007 is expected to be fifth warmest since records began in 1880. Preliminary data will be updated in early January to reflect the final three weeks of December and is not considered final until a full analysis is complete next spring. For more, click here.