Divot Mix

"Selecting a (putting) stroke is like selecting a wife. To each his own." -- Ben Hogan

January Greenlinks features Air Force golf course

This month's Greenlinks from the EDGE feature comes from the Air Force Center for Engineering and the Environment.

Randolph Oaks Golf Course is the setting for the feature, hosted by Bob Farren, Jr., CGCS and director of grounds and golf course management at Pinehurst Resort and Country Club. 

Randolph Oaks is one of 46 U.S. Air Force golf facilities participating within the Air Force Golf Course Environmental Management Program. The course, located near San Antonio, Texas, incorporated the golf course environmental management program during a project enhancing its greens and irrigation on the course.  This ISO 14000 based environmental management system is designed for both Air Force and civilian golf courses.

Golf’s coolest tournament set to begin

Former Ryder Cupper Costantino Rocca and European tour professional Lee Slattery will be action at the Chivas Snow Golf Championship Jan. 11-12, in St. Moritz.

Dubbed "golf’s coolest tournament" the event will have a field of more than 75 competitors from 12 countries.

Competing in the men’s professional category against Rocca and Slattery will be Chile’s No. 1 golfer Christian Leon, Indian professional Rishi Nahrain and BBC golf presenter Paul Eales. They will battle it out over nine challenging snow holes to see who is crowned King of the Mountains and lift the prestigious Chivas Regal Trophy.

The tournament is played over holes approximately 33 percent shorter than normal grass holes. The fairways are made of compacted snow, the "whites" are made from frozen snow and the balls used are a fluorescent amber color. 

Other international celebrities attending the event include Slovenian model and actress Katarina Cas, Bulgarian sports presenter Kamen Alipiev, Polish celebrity chef Karol Okrasa and Polish fashion designer Maciej Zien.

USGA makes grants for juniors and people with disabilities

The USGA has awarded 45 new grants for the final quarter of 2007, totaling $870,176, to support golf programs across the nation for economically disadvantaged juniors and people with disabilities. The grant funds, part of the USGA’s $5 million total commitment for 2007, will be used for instruction, golf course and range access, equipment, transportation and the construction of accessible golf facilities.

The USGA has awarded more than $58 million since the association implemented its "For the Good of the Game" grants initiative in 1997.

The USGA awarded a large percentage of this round of funds to support the construction of short courses, driving ranges and practice areas for juniors and individuals with disabilities. These alternative facilities are often the only accessible practice facilities for program participants.

"Affordable and accessible golf facilities are a crucial component of the grants initiative," said USGA President Walter W. Driver Jr. "Without these facilities, junior golf programs and golf programs for individuals with disabilities might be unable to fulfill the mission of the USGA grants program of making golf affordable and accessible to everyone who wishes to play. These grants impact every individual participant, program and community."

Among the larger grants are $100,000 to the YMCA of Pueblo, Colo., $75,000 to The Connecticut Golf Foundation in Rocky Hill, Conn., $47,500 to the North Kohala Community Resource Center in Hawi, Hawaii, and $34,000 to Eliada Homes, Inc., in Asheville, N.C.

The grants cover 27 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands. North Carolina received four grants. Two of the non-traditional programs rewarded were "Every Woman’s Place" in Muskegon, Mich., which received an $18,000 grant, and the St. Croix Junior Golf Association, which received a $17,500 grant.

For more highlight of some of the grant recipients, and a list of programs organized alphabetically by state click here. For more information on the Grants Initiative visit the Grants section of the USGA Web site.

Club Foundation run/walk set for Orlando

CMAA President, Linda K. Carroll, CCM, is asking attendees at the Golf Industry Show in Orlando to join her at 6:30 a.m. Feb. 1, for Run with the President to benefit Special Olympics of Florida and The Club Foundation.

The event offers a choice between either the 5K "run for fun" or the 1.5 mile "walk and talk." Participants will receive a Club Foundation Run with the President t-shirt and refreshments will be served at the start/finish line.

The registration fee is $30 per person. To register in advance participants need to use the individual ticket order form here and the run/walk participant form here. Those who want to sign up on site need to arrive before the 6:30 a.m. start time.