Divot Mix

"There is no individual who has bigger impact on any U.S. Open than the golf course superintendent." – Mike Davis, USGA director of rules and competitions

Rain Bird and The Institute team for water conservation PSAs

Rain Bird and The Environmental Institute for Golf have joined forces to encourage water conservation in the lawn and garden with the release of a series of broadcast television public service announcements. Each of the non-commercial video PSAs will help homeowners achieve golf course-like lawns by following a few of the practices golf course management professionals use to keep their golf courses looking beautiful without wasting water.

The 30-second video PSAs are hosted by Shawn Emerson, GCSAA Class A superintendent at Desert Mountain Golf Courses in Scottsdale , Ariz., and are available free of charge to those interested in communicating this important environmental message to their audiences.

"For several decades the golf industry has recognized its responsibility to use water efficiently, and has been a leader in developing best management practices that have been applied in other industries," said Emerson, the director of agronomy at Desert Mountain . "Whether it's a golf course or a backyard, conserving the Earth's supply of water should be a primary focus for all, and many of the same water saving techniques that we use to keep golf courses beautiful can easily be applied at home."

Although most homeowners are familiar with water conservation practices and products for inside the home, as much as 70 percent of residential water is used outdoors to water lawns and landscapes. But conserving water does not have to mean sacrificing healthy grass or flourishing plants. In fact, a well-maintained lawn and landscape offers many benefits not immediately visible to the eye, such as stabilizing soil, moderating climate conditions, lowering energy costs, reducing noise and air pollution, as well as deterring the spread of wildfires.

Each PSA addresses different aspects of outdoor water conservation, including when and how much to water the lawn and garden, tips on preventing run-off, routine inspections and more.

More information on the Intelligent Use of Water PSAs is available by visiting http://www.rainbird.com/about/press/psa.htm.

USGA Awards $1.9 million in grants

The USGA has awarded 90 grants totaling $1,952,230 to non-profit organizations to support affordable and accessible golf programs and facilities in the latest phase of its "For the Good of the Game" Grants Initiative.

The May awards will reach nearly 80,000 economically-disadvantaged children and individuals with disabilities as part of the USGA's ongoing effort to create opportunities in people's lives through golf. Grant funds will be used for instruction, golf course and range access, equipment, transportation, and construction of accessible golf facilities.

The latest awards bring the total granted by the USGA since 1997 to nearly $57 million.

"The values that are inherent to the game of golf are transferable to areas of personal development that reach far beyond the golf course," said Walter Driver, USGA president.  "On a daily basis, volunteers throughout this country dedicate themselves to spreading their love of the game to individuals who otherwise would not have the opportunity to play."

Throughout the United States , many junior golf programs and programs for individuals with disabilities are made possible through the support of volunteers. Numerous individuals have donated their time, resources, and energy to create successful golf programs in their communities.

Among the grant recipients in May were:

The YMCA of Greater Dayton , Ohio , which incorporates a mentoring component in its golf program. The mentors are assigned to participants (1:3 ratios or less) and help programming, community service projects and leadership development sessions.

In 2006, one of the community service projects was the House of Bread, where participants worked in a kitchen serving lunch and dinner to the homeless. Participants, in total, completed 1,020 community service hours.

The North Little Rock (Ark.) Police Athletic League, founded in 1998 to help the youth of Rose City, an economically disadvantaged area in North Little Rock, Ark. Since then, police officers have committed their time to volunteer for junior sports programs, including the golf program. The police officers are trained by a PGA Professional, in order to assist and instruct participants. In 1997, the year before the organization founded its junior sports programs, there were 94 juvenile arrests. This year, there were only 25 arrests.

On the West Coast, Valley-Wide Recreation & Park District, San Jacinto, Calif. was awarded a grant to support the "Grandfathers for Golf," a volunteer-based organization founded on the belief that golf is best when passed down from generation to generation. The program introduces the game of golf to approximately 150 youths each year.

The Carol S. Petrea Youth Golf Foundation, Shallotte, N.C., founded by Howard Petrea, a retired U.S. Navy Captain, established The First Tee of Brunswick County, which will serve 500 children from the rural county in 2007. Petrea garnered local support by making children the priority. In just its second year of operation, the organization plans to involve 200 volunteers, with 75 to 100 attending programming on a regular basis.

For more information on the USGA Grants Initiative, contact the Grants office at (719) 471-4810 or visit the Grants Section of the USGA Web site at www.usga.org. For a complete list of grant recipients, click here.

Golf course sales recorded in past 12 months

Based on its latest research, the National Golf Foundation estimates that that as many as 300 golf facilities changed hands in the past 12 months.

The estimate is based on routine calls to verify data at golf facilities during which the foundation asked whether the facility was sold in the past year. Through the first five months of 2007, the foundation identified 88 facilities that were sold out of a total 4,655 calls, or 1.9 percent. That extends to about 300 total facilities nationwide.

Looking at recent transactions in 22 states, facilities were more likely to be daily fee, real estate-related, 18-hole stand-alone, newer rather than older, and with a peak season green fee of $30-$39.

Profile of recent golf course sales vs. the percentage of total U.S. in each category:

For more information about golf course sales transactions information, or to obtain a list of such facilities, call Kevin McLendon at 888-ASK-4NGF or 561-354-1646.

New MarriottGolf.com site offers "Play With The Pros" sweepstakes

Marriott Golf has unveiled the new www.marriottgolf.com, which serves as the interactive reservation portal for Marriott Golf's worldwide collection of golf properties. 

Highlighting the new site is the unprecedented "Play With The Pros" Sweepstakes, whereby golfers have an opportunity to win an exclusive private lesson with 2008 European Ryder Cup Captain Nick Faldo, in addition to playing alongside PGA Tour Professionals in the prestigious 2008 Bob Hope Chrysler Classic in Palm Springs , Calif.   

The new Web site offers a seamless navigation system for visitors seeking information on Marriott Golf's collection of properties worldwide, as well as turn-key room and golf reservations through the first-of-its-kind "Rounds & Rooms" program and the "Kids Golf-4-Free" program.

Golfers visiting the site can register for the "Play With The Pros" Sweepstakes that includes the opportunity to win a three-day Game Improvement Golf School Package at one of four US-based Faldo Golf Institutes -- highlighted by a one-hour private lesson with 2008 European Ryder Cup Captain and six-time major champion, Nick Faldo.  The golf school is followed by the opportunity to participate in the Pro-Am at the 2008 Bob Hope Chrysler Classic.  The package includes seven nights of luxury accommodations at Marriott's Shadow Ridge Resort.

For more information, visit www.marriottgolf.com.