Divot Mix

There is a special delight in seeing the kind of divine fury with which he laces into the ball, and yet the wonderful accuracy with which the club meets the ball. -- Horace Hutchinson (of James Braid)

Leadership Survey open through Feb. 29

GCSAA Class A and SM members can express their opinions and earn .25 service points by taking the annual Leadership Survey. It will be available online through Feb. 29. The results will be provided to the national media.

Federal court rules on golf accessibility

The U.S. Federal District Court, northern district of California, has issued a ruling that could require Marriott International Inc. to provide accessible golf cars for disabled golfers.

Marriott's Golf division, which operates 26 golf courses in the U.S., said it was not required by current Americans with Disabilities Act rules to maintain single-rider golf cars.

Judge Phyllis J. Hamilton in a summary judgment wrote:

"The Court declares that Marriott violated the ADA, and for those courses which Marriott owns and operates in California, the California Disabled Persons Act, and the Unruh Act as well, by failing to provide accessible golf carts as a reasonable accommodation for plaintiffs' mobility impairments."

The plaintiffs in the case are Laurence Celano and Richard Thesing, both residents of California, and Bill Hefferon, of Florida. All three plaintiffs say they require a single-rider car to play golf. Their suit alleges that Marriott’s policies prevented them from playing the company's golf courses.

The court declined to offer injunctive relief at this time, but under separate order, will set a settlement conference to permit the parties to address the scope of such relief.

PGA of America launches new logo

The PGA of America has unveiled a new logo, which they say is rooted in the organization's revised brand strategy articulated as "Experts in the Game and Business of Golf."

The organization's updated brand strategy brings a renewed focus on its membership, employers, and the golfing public, and their dedication to preserving golf's heritage while increasing its popularity and awareness. The new logo features a contemporary design that relates directly to the consumer by being accessible and modern, while paying homage to the legacy and "gold standard" of The PGA of America brand.

"This is a very exciting time for The PGA of America," said PGA of America Chief Executive Officer Joe Steranka. "While the game's popularity has increased enormously over the last decade, we are confident this new logo and brand strategy will enhance our image while providing the necessary education and resources for our members."

On the heels of The PGA's first-ever Official Patron Partnerships with American Express and Royal Bank of Scotland, the launch of the new logo also provides a clear marketing platform for PGA partners to market their brands and help drive business through PGA member facilities and allows the patrons an unmatched level of visibility through marketing at The PGA of America's high-profile events.

PGA.com, has also relaunched with a new look to match the new brand.

NGCOA presents awards

The junior golf program at Gull Lake View Golf Club & Resort in southwest Michigan is not a major revenue source for the family-owned facility. But that doesn’t seem to bother anyone at the resort that’s long been a favorite among golfers in the Midwest, Great Lakes and Canada.

"It’s probably a break even for us," Ashleigh Kosin, Gull Lake View’s director of marketing, said of the five-year-old program that targets juniors 7 to 13. "But it’s the long-term investment in golf that we’re going after."

The Gull Lake View junior program, which won the National Golf Course Owners Association’s 2008 Player Development Award, includes three weeks of instruction (two hours per week) led by Bill Johnson, head professional at the resort’s Stonehedge course. The program ends with a tournament that gives many of the young players their first taste of competition.

Kate Moore, executive director of the Michigan Golf Course Owners Association, won the NGCOA’s Champion Award, which recognizes a member whose work has benefited fellow owners and operators. Moore led a lobbying effort that successfully thwarted the state’s plans to levy a six percent sales tax on Michigan courses. "We argued that golf is Michigan’s No. 1 form of leisure and tourism business and brought in millions of dollars in revenue to the state. We felt it wasn’t fair to tax golf courses on top of the taxes they were already paying," Moore said.

The association’s Paul Porter Award, given to a person who leaves an enduring mark on a chapter or international affiliate through the highest levels of commitment, service and leadership, went to Raymon Finch Jr.

Finch, who died last year, built and owned golf courses in Florida and South Carolina and was a longtime supporter of the NGCOA and amateur golf. He helped the NGCOA take on the IRS over an owner’s right to depreciate greens, tees and bunkers. Finch founded the Florida Golf Council, which helped defeat several state tax initiatives aimed at the golf industry. He also helped establish the "Hook-A-Kid on Golf" program and an Executive Women’s Golf chapter in south Florida.