Divot Mix

Playing golf is like learning a foreign language. -- Henry Longhurst, 1937

Rounds down in June

Rounds played volume in the U.S. was down 2.0 percent in June 2008 vs. June 2007, according to the new National Rounds Played Report, a joint effort of Golf Datatech, NGF, PGA of America and NGCOA. The year-to-date figure is in negative territory, down 2.1 percent.

Most regions posted losses in the month of June while only two posted gains: South Central (up 6.3 percent) and New England (up 2.0 percent). Those two regions, plus the Mid-Atlantic, are the only regions with positive numbers through the first half of the year vs. the same period last year.

Percentage change in rounds played volume 2008 vs. 2007:

NOAA still predicting above-normal hurricane season

In the August update to the Atlantic hurricane season outlook, NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center has increased the likelihood of an above-normal hurricane season and has raised the total number of named storms and hurricanes that may form. Forecasters attribute this adjustment to atmospheric and oceanic conditions across the Atlantic Basin that favor storm development - combined with the strong early season activity.

NOAA now projects an 85 percent probability of an above-normal season – up from 65 percent in May. The updated outlook includes a 67 percent chance of 14 to 18 named storms, of which seven to 10 are expected to become hurricanes, including three to six major hurricanes of Category 3 strength or higher on the Saffir-Simpson Scale. These ranges encompass the entire season, which ends Nov. 30, and include the five storms that have formed thus far.

In May, the outlook called for 12 to 16 named storms, including six to nine hurricanes and two to five major hurricanes. An average Atlantic hurricane season has 11 named storms, including six hurricanes and two major hurricanes.

“Leading indicators for an above-normal season during 2008 include the continuing multi-decadal signal – atmospheric and oceanic conditions that have spawned increased hurricane activity since 1995 – and the lingering effects of La Niña,” said Gerry Bell, Ph.D., lead seasonal hurricane forecaster at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center. “Some of these conditions include reduced wind shear, weaker trade winds, an active West African monsoon system, the winds coming off of Africa and warmer-than-average water in the Atlantic Ocean.”

Another indicator favoring an above-normal hurricane season is a very active July, the third most active since 1886. Even so, there is still a 10 percent chance of a near normal season and a five percent chance of a below normal season.

NOAA’s hurricane outlook is a general guide to the expected level of hurricane activity for the entire season. NOAA does not make seasonal landfall predictions since hurricane landfalls are largely determined by the weather patterns in place as a hurricane approaches.

Five named storms have formed already this season. Tropical Storm Arthur affected the Yucatan Peninsula in late May and early June. Bertha was a major hurricane and the longest-lived July storm (July 3-20) on record. Tropical Storm Cristobal skirted the North Carolina coastline. Dolly made landfall as a Category 2 hurricane at South Padre Island, Texas, on July 25. And on Aug. 5, Tropical Storm Edouard struck the upper Texas coast.

“It is critical that everyone know the risk for your area, and have a plan to protect yourself, your family and your property, or to evacuate if requested by local emergency managers. Be prepared throughout the remainder of the hurricane season,” Bell said. “Even people who live inland should be prepared for severe weather and flooding from a tropical storm or a hurricane.”

The Atlantic hurricane season includes activity over the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. The peak months of the season are August through October.

NOAA understands and predicts changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and conserves and manages our coastal and marine resources. Visit http://www.noaa.gov.

Rain Bird announces Intelligent Use of Water finalists

Rain Bird named the finalists for its 2008 Intelligent Use of Water Award, which recognizes persons or organizations whose innovation, leadership, ingenuity and overall commitment to improved landscape water efficiency has raised the standard for outdoor water conservation. The five finalists were selected according to pre-determined criteria, including demonstrated water savings, preservation of landscapes, innovation and overall impact on the community.

The five finalists for the 2008 Intelligent Use of Water Award are:

Christopher S. Gray, Sr., GCSAA Class A general manager/director of golf course operations at Marvel Golf Club in Benton, Ky., has spent his entire career in golf course management creating and implementing innovative and effective golf course environmental stewardship programs. Gray has been extremely proactive in water conservation programs on and off the golf course. He developed and implemented a wastewater conservation program in which all rainwater and household wastewater generated from the homes surrounding the golf course is captured, treated and pumped into the course's irrigation retention ponds, which will provide more than 14 million gallons of reclaimed water each year, once the Marvel Estates sub-division is completed.

David Salman, president and chief horticulturist at Santa Fe Greenhouses in Santa Fe and its mail-order counterpart, High Country Gardens, has spent more than 20 years in pursuit of beautiful and drought-tolerant plants for western landscapes. Regarded as one of Xeriscaping's pioneers, his work has resulted in the introduction of 24 new water-wise ornamental perennial plants that are now some of the region's most widely used Xeric perennials. In 2000, Santa Fe Greenhouses constructed a 39,000 gallon water collection cistern and reuse system, enabling the collection of rainwater from 55,000 square feet of greenhouse roof area to be used for irrigation of the facility's perennial and annual plant collections. The system captures over an acre-foot of water in an average year, reducing the use of city water by about 25 percent.

Georgia Golf Course Superintendents Association took a leadership role and began working with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division to develop a program that would achieve the goal of sustainable resource conservation when Georgia's water resources came under increased scrutiny in 2002. To demonstrate its commitment to keeping the Georgia golf industry healthy, while maintaining its status as an efficient user of water, the GGCSA challenged its members to create a set of Best Management Practices. The groundbreaking effort was the first of its kind for the Georgia agriculture and green industry, and provided a road map for the area's golf facilities to provide enjoyable playing conditions, while using water in the most efficient manner.

The Council on the Environment of NYC is a hands-on nonprofit that is committed to increasing environmental awareness among New Yorkers and developing practical solutions to environmental problems and develops and implements environmental education programs and initiatives that promote waste prevention and encourage the recycling of Earth's natural resources. CENYC has worked with more 30 community garden groups in diverse neighborhoods throughout the New York City area to construct rainwater-harvesting systems using simple piping and barrels to collect water from adjacent rooftops or garden structures. Each year, these systems divert more than 500,000 gallons of rainwater onto local gardens that would otherwise be lost or result in polluted water due to overloaded storm drains.

Glendale Xeriscape Demonstration Garden in Glendale, Ariz., is a four-acre living laboratory that showcases low-water-use plants and educates the community on the benefits of water efficient gardening. Set on the grounds of the historic Glendale public library, the garden is a highly regarded resource that educates the public on developing water-efficient landscapes. The garden's themed demonstration areas educate homeowners on the diversity and beauty of Xeriscape through displays of native plantings and proper drip irrigation watering techniques, as well as interpretive signage and audio tours that provide information about specific plants and landscape design techniques. The garden's role in motivating the public to take advantage of the city's landscape rebate program is evident as the number of gallons used per day by Glendale residents has decreased by more than fourteen percent since the garden first opened in 1992 and local residents have converted more than 215,000 square feet of turf to Xeriscape, with an estimated water savings of more than 5 million gallons a year.

The recipient of the 2008 Intelligent Use of Water Award will be announced on Oct. 11, at the Intelligent Use of Water Film Competition where they will be presented with $10,000 in acknowledgment of their contributions toward protecting Earth's most precious resource. Visit www.rainbird.com.