Industry News

Aquatrols attains GCSAA Silver Partner status

Aquatrols has pledged its continuing support of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) and its members by committing to participate in the association's Partner Recognition Program. Aquatrols will invest resources at the program's "Silver" level.

"We are proud to welcome Aquatrols to the GCSAA Partner Recognition Program," said GCSAA CEO Steve Mona, CAE. "These resources are invested for the benefit of GCSAA's stakeholders -- member superintendents, their facilities and the golf course management profession. The investments do not go to stockholders in the form of dividends or profits. They are put to work to develop education programs, conduct research, offer career resources, create information resources and develop tools to assist our members. Without the support of industry, GCSAA would not have the ability to provide resources to the benefit of its members and their employers. That is why we call our friends in the industry 'partners.' We are appreciative of Aquatrols' support and I know our members are as well."

Aquatrols is a specialty chemical company engaged in the discovery, development and commercialization of uniquely effective products and formulation technologies. These technologies provide water, energy, labor and other resource savings for the turf, ornamental, agricultural and snowmaking industries worldwide. For more information, visit www.aquatrols.com.

"We like the partnership nature of this program," said Tracy Moore Jarman, president and CEO of Aquatrols, "and we appreciate the opportunity to work more closely with GCSAA personnel. We see this partnership as a more interesting, informative and valuable instrument for everyone involved than traditional advertising. GCSAA members are a very important customer group for Aquatrols, so it makes sense for us to work as closely as possible with their association, as we are receiving invaluable input from them."

CGSA and Bayer ES sign sponsorship agreement

The Canadian Golf Superintendents Association and Bayer Environmental Science have announced a new sponsorship agreement under which Bayer increase its involvement in the association’s annual recognition program for member achievements.

The company will provide financial assistance over a three-year period to assist the CGSA in recognizing its award recipients and high achievers as part of its annual Canadian International Turfgrass Conference and Trade Show.

"The Bayer sponsorship will enable us to recognize those individuals within our profession and our industry that have displayed a level of professionalism in their approach to golf course management so as to warrant some special attention," said Terry McNeilly, president of the association.

Brian Rosenberg, director of Bayer Environmental Science in Canada, said, "The partnership will ensure that those individuals that are innovators and early adaptors within the golf course management profession will continue to be recognized in a suitable forum.   Superintendents will be duly recognized for their achievements, further enhancing their professional position within the golf sector. Appropriate recognition will encourage further innovation and, ultimately, the golfers and the golf courses that the superintendents manage will benefit."

Becker Underwood to celebrate silver anniversary

In the summer of 1982, two young entrepreneurs rented a 640-square-foot building on the east side of Ames, Iowa, and opened their new business – Becker Underwood. Today, the company’s facilities include 12 sites on four continents, with more than 300 employees. And the company recently announced plans for a second facility to be located in Ames.

"Much has changed since Jeff Becker and Roger Underwood formed Becker Underwood 25 years ago," said Peter Innes, Ph.D., CEO. "Agricultural and horticultural markets have changed immeasurably over these years. We have seen great turbulence in the markets in which we do business. Yet, despite the challenges, Becker Underwood has grown annually in both sales and profitability. This reflects with great credit on our dedicated and committed staff, and especially their determination to put our customers first and to create value for them.

"It is a great achievement for the company to have reached its Silver Anniversary," Innes said. "We will celebrate this achievement in the months ahead. But already, our focus is on the future, which we face with our customary drive and optimism."

GCBAA expands EarthShaping News

EarthShaping News, the official quarterly publication of the Golf Course Builders Association of America, is now available to anyone interested in staying abreast with activities and practices in course construction and renovation.

The newsletter was recently expanded from 12 to 24 pages and its circulation has grown steadily to more than 1500. "We realized we were filling a unique information role," said Paul Foley, GCBAA executive director, "and we want to continue to fill that role for our members as well as for the broader range of architects, superintendents, executives and others interested in keeping up-to-date with our industry."

According to Foley, free subscriptions to EarthShaping News are available online.

Regular features include information about golf construction activities, GCBAA programs, association activities, member profiles, press releases from members as well as display and classified advertising. In addition, Foley said, subscribers are invited to submit industry-related articles for review.