Divot Mix

"No game depends so much as golf on its arena for success: on an interesting course an interesting game will be played; on a badly planned green the game will be dull." -- John Low

Green and Strange to join World Golf Hall of Fame

Hubert Green and Curtis Strange will become members of the World Golf Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2007. Green was selected in the Veteran’s category by the World Golf Foundation Board of Directors Selection Committee, and Strange was elected on the PGA Tour ballot.
 
The 2007 Induction Ceremony is set for November 12 at World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Fla.
 
"On my golfing journey, I had no idea how high I could climb," Green said. "To be inducted into the Hall of Fame is reaching the summit; best of all is being a member of the club that hosts the greats of the game."

"It’s a tremendous honor to be elected into the World Golf Hall of Fame," said Strange. "It is a very exciting time for my family and me, and also those who’ve been supportive over the years."

"Hubert’s two major championships were the benchmarks of a stellar professional career that included many other titles. And, Curtis’ career will long be defined by his back-to-back U.S. Opens and his many PGA Tour victories. It is truly fitting that the Hall of Fame will be adding such distinguished and deserving players to its membership this fall," said Tim Finchem, PGA Tour commissioner and chairman of the World Golf Foundation.

After turning professional in 1969, Green won 19 PGA Tour titles, including two major championships: the 1977 U.S. Open at Southern Hills and 1985 PGA Championship at Cherry Hills.   He played on three U.S. Ryder Cup teams and since his rookie season on the Champions Tour in 1997, has earned four victories.

Strange turned professional in 1976 and has since earned 17 PGA Tour victories, including back-to-back U.S. Opens in 1988 at The Country Club and 1989 at Oak Hill Country Club. He became the first player in Tour history to win consecutive U.S. Opens since Ben Hogan did in 1950-51. He played on five U.S. Ryder Cup teams and captained the 2002 team.

Additional announcements for the 2007 Class of Inductees are planned for the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club and The Open Championship at Carnoustie. The 2007 Class is expected to include Se Ri Pak, who has met the LPGA points criteria and is scheduled to fulfill the final requirement for Induction—10 years on the LPGA Tour—when she plays in her 10th event this season. And, while 91 percent of the International ballots were returned, no candidates reached the minimum percentage required for induction.

For more, visit www.wgv.com.

Weather continues to depress rounds

Golf rounds played were down 15.1 percent on a same-facility basis in April 2007 vs. April 2006, primarily due to poor weather, according the National Golf Foundation.

The year-to-date figure of -9.0 percent is the worst performance for the same time period in the past three years. However, because only about 22 percent of total annual rounds volume in the U.S. is played in the January to April time frame, there is still plenty of time to make up the deficit, if there is better summer weather. In fact, if rounds were flat for the remainder of 2007 vs. 2006, rounds would finish down only 1.9 percent for the year.

Where rounds were down significantly in April 2006, operators in the Northeast experienced six fewer play days on average than in April 2005 (a 24 percent decrease). Both the Lower and Upper Midwest had four fewer play days in April.

Still, three regions show positive figures for the year-to-date: Mountain, Southwest and Northwest.

Rounds Played 2007 vs. 2006

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.

OSHA says hurricane preparations make sense

Hurricane season started June 1, and the U.S. EPA is urging people and businesses to start planning before hurricane force winds or storm flooding may occur. Early preparations can help minimize injury and property damage. 

EPA's hurricanes Web site includes information for business operators on preventing and reporting chemical releases due to severe weather, which can be required by law. Local governments and community agencies can find suggestions for preparing and protecting water and wastewater facilities. There is also detailed information for debris planning, since storm debris can occur in enormous amounts that overwhelm local landfills, and can also present serious dangers to human health and the environment.

Some immediate tips for employers and employees to prepare for the season include:

• Have a plan in place for protecting yourself in the event of a hurricane.
• Consider making provisions for family members who cannot plan for themselves.
• Have available food, water, extra personal medications, and other emergency supplies.
• Follow the instructions of officials concerning emergency actions including evacuations.

This information is currently available in English and Spanish and will also be available in Chinese and Vietnamese.

If a hurricane hits, the agency has many resources available on its Hurricane Recovery Web page, including the Hurricane eMatrix.

Inaugural class of First Tee Scholars graduates

Four students from The First Tee’s inaugural class of Scholars (2003) has graduated from college.

Angelika Huguley from Kansas State University, Kenneth Patterson, from Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia Ark., and Christopher Hawkins and Steven Outlaw from Georgetown College in Kentucky became the first participants from The First Tee Scholars Program to graduate.

"This is an incredible milestone for The First Tee and a wonderful accomplishment for each of our Scholars," said Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., executive director of The First Tee and senior vice president of the World Golf Foundation. "It has been remarkable to see the transformation of these young people from teenagers into successful young adults. We look forward to their professional accomplishments and are grateful for their continued support of The First Tee."

The First Tee Scholars Program was founded in 2001 by William Crouch, Ph.D.,  of Georgetown College. After hearing 16-year-old Steven Outlaw speak in front of 500 men and women at The First Tee Annual Meeting in 2001, Dr. Crouch, a National Trustee of The First Tee, offered Outlaw a scholarship to Georgetown College; and The First Tee Scholars Program was born. Since then more than 30 colleges and universities have embraced the program and offered leadership scholarships to qualified participants.

"I knew I wanted that young man at Georgetown College and others like him who are learning the character values associated with the game of golf," said Crouch. "Steven and Chris have set the bar high for this college and The First Tee Scholars Program – and as they go out into the world, we look forward to welcoming incoming freshmen Christian Heavens and Jessica Collins."

Huguley from The First Tee of Manhattan, Kan., graduated with a double major in political science and international studies, and a minor in leadership studies.  She plans to go to law school and become a criminal prosecuting attorney. As an academy participant in 2001, she was the recipient of the Renee Powell Outstanding Female Leader award.

Patterson majored in mass communications with a minor in marketing at Ouachita Baptist University.  He is a senior staff member at The First Tee of Central Arkansas where he has been employed since his freshman year. The Arkansas native has aspirations of obtaining his PGA certification and furthering his education.