Industry News

R&A launches golf course bench marking service

The R&A has launched a free web-based service that provides a way to collect, analyze and report data that will enable golf courses to maintain a record of all their relevant information on playing quality, turf quality and course expenditure.

From this pool of information courses will be able to track their own progress from year-to-year and monitor trends and changes that occur. Each course will also be able to reference its own information against other similar golf courses using comparative statistics.

Robert Webb, chairman of the R&A golf course committee, stated: "This is benchmarking in its truest form and the service will provide complete anonymity. We encourage use of this service because of the many benefits it will bring in coming years to those managing golf facilities and to the game itself which is under increasing pressure to provide evidence to support its credentials in terms of its performance as a sustainable user of land and its environmental footprint."

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Complete the survey for a chance at a flat-screen TV

GCSAA is extending the deadline for the Golf Course Pesticide Use Survey to May 5, to allow as many superintendents as possible the opportunity to input data for the Golf Course Environmental Profile Project.

Everyone who completes the survey will earn twice the service points as other surveys (.50) and be entered into a drawing to win the grand prize: a 46-inch, flat-screen LCD TV valued at $2,500, as well as a drawing for one of the $250 gift cards to be awarded in each of the seven agronomic regions.

The results of the survey will help make a difference for golf and the environment by allowing GCSAA to advocate for the profession with the government, industry, public and media. For more information, contact Mark Johnson, senior manager of environmental programs, by e-mail or at 800-472-7878.

IA launches nursery and floriculture interest group

The Irrigation Association has launched a new common interest group to provide a platform for nursery and floriculture stakeholders to discuss shared issues. The Nursery and Floriculture CIG will hold its first meeting by conference call later this month.

IA common interest groups are comprised of industry leaders who meet regularly to define best practices for effective water management, establish benchmarks and guidelines for irrigation products and applications, and promote efficient irrigation technology and practices. The new nursery group joins eight other active CIGs that address irrigation issues related to agriculture, center pivot and lateral move, chemigation, contractors, designers, drip/micro, turf/landscape and manufacturer’s representatives. For more information, visit http://www.irrigation.org.

GCSAA urges action from members on H-2B relief bill.

Rep. Charles Boustany (R-LA) is seeking to force a vote on H.R. 1483, the “Save our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act of 2007,” which would make returning workers through the H-2B seasonal guest worker program permanently exempt from the 66,000 annual cap. GCSAA has issued an action alert urging its members to support his effort.

Boustany has filed a “discharge petition,” which if successful will bring the bill out of committee and to the floor for consideration without needing a committee report. GCSAA members can Act now to support the H-2B bill discharge petition.

Honours Golf donates $10,000 to The Institute

Honours Golf Co. has pledged its support to The Environmental Institute for Golf with a $10,000 donation toward research and education to enhance golf’s relationship with the environment.

"We are pleased to welcome the support of Honours Golf and its commitment to advancing golf's environmental stewardship,” said Teri Harris, managing director of development for GCSAA and The Institute. “This donation is a testament to Honours' dedication to the game and providing its customers with golf course conditions managed in an environmentally responsible manner.”

Based in Birmingham, Ala., Honours Golf Co. is a leading golf course and club management company in the southeast with 12 golf courses across Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi.

"The vision of Honours Golf is to deliver memorable golf experiences to members and guests through a collection of the finest golf courses in the Southeast," said Bob Barrett, CEO of Honours Golf Co.