Divot Mix

Don't be in such a hurry. That little white ball isn't going to run away from you. -- Patty Berg

October weather favorable for golf

Are golfers more like bears or squirrels in their fall season behavior? The answer should be found in the October rounds played results. If they're squirrels, rounds played should be up more than 10 percent vs. a year ago.

The Pellucid Corp. reports that Golf Playable Hours for the month of October were up almost 25 percent compared to the same period last year. This benevolence by Mother Nature pulled the year-to-date GPH results almost back to even with 2006.

Encouragingly, 13 of 24 regions analyzed were up, with nine of them being up 10 percent or more.

Pellucid President Jim Koppenhaver said, "It will be interesting to see how golfers responded to a stellar October for golf playing conditions across much of the country. If they're squirrels, they'll have taken the opportunity to squeeze in a few more rounds and we should see rounds played up in double digits for the month. If they're bears and already looking for a hibernation cave, we should see rounds up modestly in the 5 percent range or so."

Women’s Golf Week getting an extension

The success of American Express Women’s Golf Week presented by Golf For Women over the past three years, has prompted the organizers to extend the promotion to the entire month of June beginning in 2008.
 
In its third year, a record 1,358 facilities across the country hosted the event June 2-9, breaking its previous facility record by 132 percent. More than 34,200 women participated, a 39 percent increase from last year. Joining title sponsor American Express were presenting sponsor Golf For Women magazine and silver sponsor Cobra Golf.

LPGA members Laura Diaz and Suzy Whaley, who is also a PGA Professional, served as spokespersons for the program.
 
"Thanks to the PGA and LPGA Professionals, golf course owners, and sponsors, more than 68,000 women across the country have been introduced or re-introduced to the game of golf over the past three years," said Trish Davis, Executive Women's Golf Association CEO. "Extending the program to the entire month of June is a natural progression to encourage facilities to enhance participation in the game," Davis added.  "This gives host facilities the flexibility to offer a variety of women’s activities and programs at its convenience throughout June."

The event was developed in response to input from golf industry leaders at the 2004 Golf 20/20 Conference and is part of the Play Golf America campaign. After two years, Golf 20/20 handed over management responsibility for Women’s Golf Week to the LPGA, The PGA of America, EWGA, and NGCOA, with ongoing support from other leading organizations in golf including the PGA Tour, GCSAA, CMAA and the USGA.

Delta Sky magazine features golf and the environment

The November issue of Delta Sky magazine features "The Greening of Golf" by John Steinbreder. The article examines the changes made in golf's environmental standing over the years, as well as the changes in the golf course superintendent profession.

Greg Lyman, GCSAA director of environmental programs, contributed to the story. To read the entire article, click here.

GCSAA golf tournament deadline is Nov. 19

The deadline to apply for the GCSAA National Championship and Golf Classic is Nov. 19.

The event, scheduled for Jan. 25-29, is an opportunity for GCSAA members to expand their network, catch up with friends and share solutions while competing on several of Orlando’s best golf courses. Competition will be held on the Independence Course at Ginn Reunion Resort; Orange County National’s Panther Lake and Crooked Cat courses; and Grand Cypress Resort's New Course and North-South Course.

Five superintendents win trip to Golf Industry Show

For the fifth consecutive year, Bayer Environmental Science and The Environmental Institute for Golf are sending five golf course superintendents to the 2008 GCSAA Education Conference (Jan. 28-Feb. 2) and Golf Industry Show (Jan. 31-Feb. 2) in Orlando.

The purpose of the grant is to assist golf course superintendents with their professional development through participation in the annual event that features the most comprehensive education program available in the industry.

The five winners are:

• Eric Morrison, GCSAA Class A superintendent at Shennecossett Golf Club in Groton, Conn.
• William Irving, GCSAA Class A superintendent at Kearney (Neb.) Country Club
• Bobby Rountree, GCSAA member at Prairie Creek Country Club in Rogers, Ark.
• Tom Forsythe, GCSAA Class A superintendent for city of Thunder Bay (Ontario) Golf Courses
• Christopher Moyer, GCSAA Class A superintendent at Findlay (Ohio) Country Club

Winners receive airfare, hotel accommodations for six nights, conference full-pack registration, two educational seminars and a $200 expense stipend. Any superintendent who did not attend the 2007 GCSAA Education Conference and Golf Industry Show in Anaheim or the 2006 GCSAA Education Conference and Golf Industry Show in Atlanta was eligible to apply.

"Bayer Environmental Science recognizes the importance of professional development to stay current in the field," Mike Daly, Bayer Environmental Science golf market manager said. "We are pleased to continue our relationship with The Environmental Institute for Golf by helping these five golf course superintendents further their professional development at the 2008 GCSAA Education Conference and Golf Industry Show."