Divot Mix

Instinctively we feel that one course is alive, another dead and insipid, lacking energy of expression. We look for the unexpected note and a pleasantness of line. Every curve should have a spring in it, and no straight line should ever be quite straight. Generally the detection of these slight differences is purely a matter of feeling which once experienced is not likely to be forgotten.  -- Tom Simpson and H.N. Wethered, "The Architectural Side of Golf, 1927"

GIS Silent Auction raises $165,000

The Golf Industry Show Silent Auction, conducted by The Environmental Institute for Golf, the National Golf Course Owners Association Foundation, The Club Foundation, The Golf Course Builders Association of America Foundation and The American Society of Golf Course Architects generated more than $165,000.

Proceeds support environmental stewardship programs, including research and education to strengthen the compatibility of the game of golf with our natural environment, player development programs, grants and scholarships to advance the club management industry, and providing young people the opportunity to learn golf and the life values the game of golf represents.

 A total of 131 companies donated 238 items (a complete listing of donating companies can be found at http://auction.golfindustryshow.com) to the online auction. GCSAA Class A member John Lof, golf course superintendent at Riverside Golf and Country Club in Portland, Ore., won an all-expense paid trip to the 2008 GCSAA Education Conference and Golf Industry Show in Orlando, Fla. His name was chosen from a list of those who participated in the silent auction.

Aquatrols achieves first step in Audubon certification

Aquatrols has achieved certification for Resource Inventory and Environmental Planning--the first of five steps in the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary System for businesses.

Tracy Jarman, president and CEO, said "Aquatrols’ purpose is related to more sustainable use of resources and that’s important to the people in the industries we serve.  So it makes sense to not just talk about these things, but to act on them as well. Joining the cooperative sanctuary for businesses is a great way to do that."

The company used materials produced by Audubon International and GCSAA to inform its employees about the program and ask for their input.  As a result, a cross departmental team of Aquatrols employees was formed to identify and implement activities that match Audubon International's principles of stewardship.  Demie Moore, corporate relations, said, "We believe in many of these sustainable approaches to business operations, and we are essentially promoting that to our customers, so joining the system seemed to be a great way to further promote these views – as well as show our commitment to them." 

Joellen Zeh, who managed the sanctuary program for Audubon International, said "While we have a growing number of golf courses involved in the ACSP for golf courses, there are very, very few suppliers to the industry who have stepped up to the plate to join the program for businesses.  We commend Aquatrols for making this commitment to operating their business in a manner that is consistent with the message of more efficient and sustainable use of resources – especially water – that they send to various market places."

The program for businesses encourages planning and action in several areas including Resource inventory and Planning, Energy Use, Water Use, Waste Management, and Community Outreach.   Upon achieving certification in all these areas a business becomes a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. Contact http://www.aquatrols.com, http://www.auduboninternational.org.

PrideSports unveils cancer awareness golf tee program
PrideSports, maker of the Professional Tee System, the top wooden golf tee on the PGA Tour, has announced its Cancer Awareness Golf Tee Program.
Under the program proceeds from golf tee sales will be donated to breast cancer and prostate cancer research, respectively, while golfers purchasing the tees will receive special promotions from Golf Digest Publications. 

The program includes two unique golf tee offerings:

• Breast Cancer Awareness tees feature a pack of 75 pink 2 3/4-inch ProSlim2, along with a special promotion offering a 1-year subscription to Golf for Women magazine.
• Prostate Cancer Awareness tees feature a pack of 65 blue 3 1/4-inch performance tees, along with a special promotion offering 12-issues of Golf Digest Electronic Pocket Tips.

"As PrideSports’ golf tees are a staple of the game used by tens of millions of golfers throughout the U.S., we believe there isn’t a better cancer awareness promotion, as these products will touch nearly every player in the game," said John Hohman, director of marketing.  By donating proceeds from sales to breast cancer and prostate cancer research, respectively, combined with the special offers from Golf Digest Publications, we expect golfers will support this program in a very big way."

Both the Breast Cancer and Prostate Cancer Awareness tee packs will have a suggested retail price of $4.99, and they will be available for purchase at sporting goods stores, and golf specialty shops, nationwide.

GCSAA makes Tiger Woods Learning Center newsletter

For several years GCSAA has worked to build relationships with golf related youth organizations to expose them to the golf course management profession. 

"Each year, we either give a forum or coordinate an off site visit to a First Tee facility in the city hosting the GCSAA Education Conference and Golf Industry Show," said Lanie Griffin, career services manager. "There isn't a First Tee Facility near the Anaheim Convention Center. That prompted me to contact the Tiger Woods Learning Center about making a presentation."
She and Kevin Neal, CGCS at Anaheim Hills Golf Club, visited the learning center, Feb. 20. Her presentation was on careers in golf course management, and Neal talked about a day in the life of a golf course superintendent.

Griffin said there were approximately 60 kids from 12 to 17 years old who attended.  She described it as "a total success." And the appearance made it into the Learning Center's newsletter.

Van Dunk is first superintendent from MGA internship

When H. Burgess Van Dunk was named superintendent of Leewood Golf Course in Eastchester, N.Y., there were several things of note about his new job.

For one thing, Van Dunk hadn't yet turned 30.  And, he's a Native American--a member of the Ramapough Lenape Nation.

But for the Metropolitan Golf Association, it was an even bigger occasion. You see, Van Dunk is the first graduate of its Golfworks Student Intern Program that has been hired to a top course position. He was one of the first in the program in 1994, when 12 interns worked at six clubs, and he went on to graduate from Penn State's turfgrass program in 1999. This year, 225 interns were placed at 85 MGA clubs.

For more on Van Dunk and the internship program, read the story by Andrew Gross in The Journal News online.