Divot Mix

We can move all of our tees forward, if we wish, without investing more money in costly land, but we cannot keep on moving them backward. -- Bobby Jones

NGF says there are more core golfers than thought

According to a new national study of golf participation in the U.S., the number of core golfers (adults age 18+ who play eight or more rounds a year) is higher than previously reported. The core golfer number is estimated to be 15 million as compared to a figure of 12.5 million published by NGF a year ago.

The study also found that the number of junior golfers increased between 2005 and 2006, from 4.4 million to 4.8 million kids ages 6 to 17. The overall number of golfers for 2006, counting anyone age 6 and above who played at least one round of golf during the year, is estimated at 28.7 million, down 2.0 percent from the prior year.

The research study was done as a joint effort of the newly formed USA Sports Participation Study, which includes: Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association, National Golf Foundation, Snowsports Industries America and the Outdoor Industry Foundation.

In February 2007, the partnership surveyed a random sample of 60,169 individuals from the online panel of Synovate, a leading market research firm. Respondents were asked about their participation in 114 fitness activities and sports, including golf. The data was statistically weighted (by gender, age, income, etc.) to reflect the total U.S. population age 6 and above.

"This year’s study is superior to ones we’ve done in the past, primarily due to the larger sample size of 60,000," says NGF president and CEO Joe Beditz. "This larger sample gives us a more detailed view of the American golfer than we have ever had, and we also have better information on other sports and fitness activities that golfers engage in."
For more, visit www.ngf.org.

May is American Wetlands Month

This is the 17th anniversary of American Wetlands Month, a time when the EPA and its partners in federal, state, tribal, local, non-profit, and private sector organizations celebrate the vital importance of wetlands to the nation’s ecological, economic and social health. 

It is also a great opportunity to remind others about the important role that wetlands play in our environment and the significant benefits they provide, such as improved water-quality, increased water storage and supply, reduced flood and storm surge risk, and critical habitat for plants, fish and wildlife.

EPA and a host of other public and private partners have planned a number of events for this year's celebration.

Information on national, regional, and local activities will be updated and posted on the American Wetlands Month Web site.

Hall of Fame to open special Nicklaus exhibit

The World Golf Hall of Fame will unveil a special exhibit that celebrates the stories of Jack Nicklaus’ career in golf and his successful career and life off the course. "Jack Nicklaus: Golf’s Golden Champion" will open in conjunction with the 2007 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Nov. 12 and will remain on display for one year.

The exhibit will showcase artifacts, memorabilia, photos, video and text. It also will delve into the important role family has played in his career, the time and resources he and his wife Barbara have devoted to charitable causes, his personal interests, hobbies and business endeavors around the globe.

"Telling stories of the members and their history within this great sport has remained at the core of the Hall of Fame’s mission since it opened almost 10 years ago," said Jack Peter, Sr., COO of the hall of fame.
 
In addition to Hubert Green and Curtis Strange, the 2007 hall of fame 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 when she plays in her 10th event this season.  

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.  

GCM racks up publication awards from TOCA

Golf Course Management, the official publication of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, took home five first-place awards and four merit awards among more than 430 entries at the Turf and Ornamental Communicators Association’s (TOCA) award ceremony May 3, in Savannah, Ga.

GCM Editor-in-Chief Ed Hiscock was also elected as TOCA’s president during its annual meeting.

"We're proud of these awards because they reflect what GCSAA members tell us about GCM -- that it's the industry's top publication, and the one on which they rely," Hiscock said. "It's also nice to see the GCM blog recognized because we just completed the first full year of doing it. I'm extremely proud of the entire staff."
                                                      
GCM underwent a redesign in January 2007 that included significant design changes and both new and repurposed content that mirrors the way golf course superintendent readers spend their day.

First Place:

• University of Nebraska Extension horticulturalist John Fech for his story "The Dangers of Decay" (May, 2006) in the Writing, Ornamental Feature category
• Darcy DeVictor, associate editor, and Seth Jones, senior associate editor, for "Going Mobile" (November, 2006) in the Writing, Product Information category
• Editor Scott Hollister for "Makeover at Medinah" (August, 2006) in the Writing, Operations Profile category
• Scott Hollister for "Hammer time at Lions Gate" (which appeared on the GCM blog on June 28, 2006) in the Writing, Web site, Original Content category
• Seth Jones for the photos in "Big Hearts in the Big Easy" (July, 2006) in the Photography, Picture Story (one or more photos to illustrate a story) category

 Merit Awards:

• Terry Ostmeyer, senior staff writer, for "Lines in the Sand," the Environmental Leaders in Golf Award story from the February, 2006 issue, in the Writing, Environmental Stewardship category
• Roger Billings, senior art/production manager; Kelly Neis pre-press/production specialist; and Becky Drager, publications designer, for the November, 2006 issue in the Design, Overall Magazine category
• Scott Hollister for the lead photo of Tom Lively, CGCS, in the August, 2006 PGA Championship preview in the Photography, Portrait/Personality category
• Roger Billings, senior art/production manager, for the October, 2006 cover photo ("Cutting Edge") in the Photography, Print Magazine Cover category

TOCA is composed of editors, writers, publishers, photographers, public relations/advertising practitioners, industry association leaders and others involved in golf course maintenance and other green industry communications.