Divot Mix

"I don't have a clue where to put a fairway bunker anymore. I hate the fact that we have to build courses longer every day just to keep pace with equipment. I'm tired of fighting it." -- Jay Morrish, golf course architect

National survey focuses on golf course nutrient use

GCSAA will begin the third phase of its first-of-its kind national survey of golf courses in mid-March.

This phase will collect data from golf course superintendents on the amount of nutrients applied to golf courses. Surveys will be distributed beginning March 19, with the cutoff date for the receipt of information April 27.

"We have been pleased by the response rate of the first two phases," GCSAA Director of Research Clark Throssell, Ph.D., said. "It is important that we have strong participation by both GCSAA member and non-member superintendents to compile the necessary data. It is vital that we get data from all types and sizes of facilities. The information will help GCSAA to better serve them in managing their facilities."

The survey is part of a multi-year project being undertaken by GCSAA that will evaluate environmental performance on golf courses. The Golf Course Environmental Profile project is designed to collect information that will allow superintendents and other facility personnel to become better managers, help them operate more efficiently and lead to GCSAA developing more valuable programs and services. Such information will include details about playing surfaces, natural resources, environmental stewardship efforts and maintenance practices on the golf course.

Throssell indicated the data are still being analyzed from the first two phases, one focusing on the physical profile of a golf facility and the other on water use and conservation. The first comprehensive report of the first two phases will appear in a peer-reviewed scientific journal this year. The Environmental Institute for Golf funded the first two phases of the project thanks in part to a grant from The Toro Foundation.

Rounds finish year up nearly 1 percent  

Thanks to u nseasonably warm and dry weather along the northern tier of the United States late in the year, the number of rounds played is up 1 percent for the year according to the National Golf Foundation.

Noting that players were still teeing it up over the holidays from New York to Michigan, NGF said there were some unusually high increases in the percentage change between 2006 and 2005 rounds in December, albeit on a low volume. For example, facilities in the Northeast averaged about 100 rounds in December 2005 and about 400 rounds in December 2006, for a 300 percent increase.

The 16.7 percent increase in rounds for December pushed up the year-to-date figure to 0.8 percent. The Southeast finished the year with the largest increase (4.5 percent) followed by Central/South Florida (3.4 percent). The Southwest was down more than any other region (-1.1 percent).

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
Region 10 includes Hawaii; Region 11 includes Alaska.

USGA signs corporate partnership with Lexus

Lexus and the USGA has agreed to a multi-year partnership that makes Lexus the automotive partner of the USGA and the official car of the U.S. Open, U.S. Women's Open, U.S. Senior Open and U.S. Amateur. As a result of this landmark agreement, which was announced at a press conference featuring Annika Sorenstam, Lexus becomes the first automotive partner in the USGA's 112-year history.

"Lexus has been involved with golf for many years, but we see how passionate our customers are about this sport and we wanted to step up our involvement," said Keith Dahl, national manager, event marketing for Lexus. "This is a tremendous opportunity for us to partner at a very high level in the sport and engage our customers in unprecedented ways."

The USGA agreement strengthens the relationship that Lexus has with the game of golf and allows the company to use this partnership and USGA championships as opportunities to provide its customers with premium experiences around the sport of golf.

 "The obvious fit is that the USGA will now be able to offer Lexus vehicles and provide the players with an enhanced experience at selected USGA national championships while Lexus gets to showcase its product line at the very top events in golf—the USGA national championships," said USGA President Walter Driver. "We are looking at all of the possibilities and the things we can do together for the benefit of golf."

Lexus plans to support this corporate partnership through an integrated marketing and communications campaign that includes advertising, public relations, direct marketing, promotions, dealer events, interactive support and online marketing as well as a number of specific USGA membership and onsite activities at championships, such as hospitality, clinics, charitable tie-ins, signage and special events.