Divot Mix

"Annika isn’t a complainer. She thinks complaining just gets in the way of fixing the problem." -- Terry McNamara, Annika Sorenstam's caddie on her recent back injury

Audubon Green Golfer Challenge begins

Thirty golf courses have announced their commitment to support the nature of the game by participating in Audubon International’s Green Golfer Challenge.  Throughout 2007, Audubon International is inviting golfers and golf courses in the United States, Canada, and around the world to take part in the Audubon Green Golfer Challenge.  The challenge is simple—have golfers pledge to become an Audubon Green Golfer by taking steps to support environmental stewardship while playing the game.

"We’re excited about the early commitment and look forward to more golf courses—including their owners, managers, staff, and the golfers themselves—getting involved through this simple golfer pledge for the environment," said Kevin A. Fletcher, Ph.D., executive director of Audubon International.  "At the same time, we’re happy to see organizations such as the Florida State Golf Association, Iowa State Golf Association, Oregon State Golf Association and sponsors like TaylorMade-adidas Golf stepping up to support this effort as well."

Throughout the year, the pledges from participating golf courses will be collected and counted by Audubon International with ongoing totals posted online.  Prizes will be awarded to golf courses with the most golfers signed up by Nov. 15, 2007, and winners will be announced at the end of 2007.  Finally, golfers who take the pledge will also become eligible for a random drawing of prizes at the end of the year—including golf gear from TaylorMade-adidas among others. 

Becoming an Audubon Green Golfer and getting golfers involved is a simple way for golf course owners, managers, GCSAA superintendents, PGA professionals and golfers to help carry on golf’s tradition of preserving the nature of the game.  Golf courses interested in participating and organizations interested in supporting the Audubon Green Golfer Challenge should visit www.GolfandEnvironment.org.

Brood XIII cicada hatch expected soon

It probably won't be good news to golfers in northern Illinois and parts of Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan and Indiana that one of the best places to see and hear cicadas is on the golf course, but there doesn't appear to be much anyone can do about the emergence of the large, loud insects.

According experts, the next few weeks will see the emergence of Brood XIII, and it's expected to produce billions of the insects. The good news is that as disturbing as their presence can be, they are harmless to humans--other than bumping into people as the fly around.

Brood XIII is a 17-year periodic cicada, like Brood X that emerged in 2004, and disrupted everything from golf tournaments to picnics to outdoor music events.

But not everyone is worried about the coming hordes, the Lake County (Ill.) Forest Preserves have actually scheduled Cicada Mania for June 2-3 where cicada expert Gene Kritsky, Ph.D., will discuss his book, "Periodical Cicadas: The Plague and the Puzzle," which covers the history and biology of periodical cicadas and the evolutionary mysteries they pose.

The other groups that won't be distressed are birds, squirrels and pets, particularly dogs, who all love to eat the high-protein morsels.

Plywood dogs solve goose problem

An article by Mark Di Ionno in the (Newark, N.J.) Star-Ledger recounts the effective use of black-painted plywood dogs to keep Canada geese off golf courses and features Matt Dobbie, GCSAA Class A superintendent at Bamm Hollow Country Club in Lincroft, N.J. To read the article, visit "Got a geese problem? Release the (plywood) hounds".