Divot Mix

The chief object of every golf architect or greenkeeper worth his salt is to imitate the beauties of nature so closely as to make his work indistinguishable from nature itself. -- Alister Mackenzie

Behind the scenes at a GCSAA commercial shoot

If you've watched much golf on the Golf Channel or ESPN this summer, you've probably seen one of GCSAA's public service commercials that celebrate the role of its members. Coming later this year is a new GCSAA commercial featuring LPGA star Lorena Ochoa, who is known for her support of the golf course maintenance staff.

With the LPGA Tour in the Pacific Northwest, the photo shoot was scheduled to take place at Columbia Edgewater Country Club. For the cameras, Lorena she hit a 40 yard wedge shot and taking a pancake-sized divot, the helped GCSAA remind viewers to properly fix their ballmarks and replace their divots. A series of photos from the shoot are available on the LPGA Web site.

Jeff Bollig, GCSAA communications director, also put up a post and photos about the shoot on the GCM Blog.

USGA Selects 2008 Men's World Amateur team

The United States Golf Association has selected three players to represent the U.S. at the 2008 Men’s World Amateur Team Championship, Oct. 16-19 at Royal Adelaide Golf Club and The Grange Golf Club West Course in Adelaide, Australia.

The American team will be comprised of Rickie Fowler of Murrieta, Calif., Billy Horschel of Grant, Fla., and Jamie Lovemark of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. All three players were members of the victorious 2007 U.S. Walker Cup Team.

Kyle Stanley of Gig Harbor, Wash., was named first alternate, while 2008 U.S. Amateur runner-up Drew Kittleson of Scottsdale, Ariz., was named second alternate.

"I can’t wait," said Fowler, the 2008 NCAA Player of the Year. "It’s going to be a tremendous opportunity and a great competition, and hopefully we can return home with a victory. I think we have a very solid team, and if we concern ourselves more with how we play instead of worrying about the other teams, we should have a great chance."

Walter Driver, USGA past president, will be the team captain.

The Women’s Amateur Team Championship will be conducted prior to the men’s competition, Oct. 8-11 at The Grange Golf Club’s East and West Courses.

Named earlier to represent the U.S. were the Women’s Amateur champion Amanda Blumenhurst of Scottsdale, Ariz., Tiffany Joh of San Diego, Calif., and Alison Walshe of Westford, Mass. Marcia Luigs of Carmel, Ind., is the women’s captain.

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