Divot Mix

A golf hole, humanly speaking, is like life, in as much as one cannot judge justly of any person’s character the first time one meets him. Sometimes it takes years to discover and appreciate hidden qualities which only time discloses, and he usually discloses them on the links.-- C.B. Macdonald

GCSAA CEO search update

GCSAA President David S. Downing, II, CGCS, has announced that the search for a new CEO is progressing and that a date has been set for the departure of current CEO Steve Mona.

"Earlier this week, the GCSAA Board of Directors conducted a series of second-round interviews for the association's CEO, and the process is continuing in good order," Downing said. "With the Golf Industry Show behind us, we anticipate working through the rest of the process without delay.

"Having reached this point, we feel comfortable working with Steve Mona to set a date for his last day. After discussing the timing, the board and Mona agreed upon Friday, Feb. 29, as his official last day at GCSAA. He will start fulltime at the World Golf Foundation on Monday, March 3. We greatly appreciate Steve's dedication in
continuing to serve as GCSAA CEO for more than five months after announcing his acceptance of his new position. He also has agreed to devote some time to assisting with transition once the new CEO is on board."

Downing also said that to maintain the association's normal governance structure and operations until and the actual hire and start date of our new CEO, the board appointed Cam Oury, GCSAA's chief financial officer and managing director of finance, to serve as interim CEO, effective March 1. Oury will not assume the travel and representation duties that Steve fulfilled, but will have full decision-making authority and reporting responsibility.

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 as a means to position GCSAA members and the association.

Online Environmental Solutions Center created

GCSAA and The Environmental Institute for Golf have re-created the 2008 Environmental Solutions Center from the Golf Industry Show to help superintendents promote their course’s environmental value.

Visit the Environmental Solutions Center to review informative posters and real-life examples including: EDGE case studies, media tools, wildlife viewing suggestions, on-course education, and much more to help you develop your outreach and communications program.

Communicating the golf facility’s environmental stewardship within the community is a very important part of developing support and awareness for golf and the environment.  Golf Digest’s 2007 Golf and The Environment survey reports that 90 percent of the golfers surveyed think that golf is an environmentally friendly sport, but only 36 percent of the golfers interviewed are aware of a few of golf facilities efforts; natural areas, reduction of pesticides, or the use of recycled water.

Storms prompt chain saw advice from OPEI

In the wake of winter weather that has included high winds, heavy rain and ice that has damaged trees in many areas, the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute is offering a safety reminder.
 
"When bad weather hits, there is a tendency to begin using outdoor power equipment immediately, such as chain saws, without taking the necessary precautions," said Bill Harley, president and CEO. "This is when accidents could happen." He said all chain saws come with owners’ manuals that explain safety precautions and proper operating instructions.

In addition to reading and following owners’ manuals, OPEI strongly recommends the following overall safety tips for anyone using a chain saw:

• Don't allow anyone to be near the chain saw when starting or cutting
• Always keep children, other bystanders and animals out of the work area
• Don't operate a chain saw with one hand
• Don't operate a chain saw when you are fatigued
• Use safety footwear, snug clothing, gloves, and hearing, eye, and head protection
• Move the saw at least 10 feet from fuel before starting the engine
• Never start cutting without a clear work area, secure footing, and a planned retreat from falling trees or branches
• Never operate a saw that is damaged, improperly adjusted, or not securely assembled
• Before setting the saw down, engage the chain brake and shut off the engine
• Operate a chain sawonly in well-ventilated areas
• Don't operate a chain saw in a tree unless specifically trained to do so
• All chain saw service, other than the items listed in the owner’s manual maintenance instructions, should be performed by competent service personnel
• When faced with damage to high areas of trees, large downed trees or damaged trees near power lines, contact a professional tree service or your local power company

For more on power equipment safety visit http://www.opei.org.

"Tommy’s Honor" wins USGA Book Award

Kevin Cook’s "Tommy’s Honor: The Story of Old Tom Morris and Young Tom Morris, Golf’s Founding Father and Son" has been named the recipient of the United States Golf Association’s 2007 Herbert Warren Wind Book Award.

"Tommy’s Honor" provides a wonderfully detailed historical account of Old and Young Tom Morris, the father and son from St. Andrews who dominated professional golf in Scotland during the latter half of the 19th century. It depicts the dawn of professional golf, highlighting the rivalry between the two as they competed against one another and their peers in the early years of the British Open Championship. The personalities of Old and Young Tom are richly portrayed. The result is a textured evocation of one of the most important periods in the game’s formation. 

"It’s a great pleasure to get the Herbert Warren Wind Award," said Cook. "I fell in love with the Morrises’ story in 1986 on my first trip to St. Andrews. I hope the award brings readers to the book."

A former editor-in-chief of Golf Magazine, Cook has written about the game for 25 years.  He also was a senior editor at Sports Illustrated and executive editor of T&L Golf, and has written for GQ, Men’s Journal, Portfolio, Golf Digest and many other magazines.

The Herbert Warren Wind Book Award was established in 1987. The award recognizes and honors outstanding contributions to golf literature while attempting to broaden the public’s interest in, and knowledge of, the game of golf. 

The USGA is currently accepting submissions for the 2008 Herbert Warren Wind Book Award. For more information, contact Doug Stark, the USGA Museum’s curator of education, at 908-234-2300 or dstark@usga.org.