Divot Mix

Golf is not a game, it's bondage.  It was obviously devised by a man torn with guilt, eager to atone for his sins. -- Jim Murray

Mark Woodward, CGCS, takes over at GCSAA

Mark Woodward, CGCS, began his duties as chief executive officer of GCSAA July 1.

Woodward was appointed to the position April 8 and recently hosted the 108th U.S. Open Championship at Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego. For more on his appointment, click here.

Greenlinks for July features stormwater control

The July Greenlinks from EDGE, highlights work done at Aurora Country Club, a 94-year-old private facility that is about 45 miles outside Chicago.

Superintendent, John Gurke, CGCS, worked with Greg Martin, ASGCA ASLA, on a renovation that involved the reconstruction of all tees and bunkers, installation of a triple-row irrigation system, and, importantly, a stormwater management program.

The team used environmentally friendly designs to enhance the quality of play while protecting water quality at the course.  Excess waters are diverted into a wetland on the course as one of the improvements on the course.   Bob Farren Jr., CGCS and director of grounds and golf course management for Pinehurst Resort and Country Club, features their work and the case study in the July edition of Green Links on The Environmental Institute for Golf’s Web site http://www.eifg.org/. 

Rain Bird kicks off Rose Parade season

Rain Bird, manufacturer and provider of irrigation products and services, has officially announced its participation in the 120th Tournament of Roses Parade with the unveiling of a color rendering of its 2009 Parade float entry, Entertaining Expedition.

Prior to the unveiling, Tournament of Roses officials presented Rain Bird with the Tournament of Roses Sweepstakes Trophy, awarded to the float entry deemed the most beautiful, in recognition of the company's 2008 float, Preservation Celebration, that vividly captured the intimate relationship between water and life by celebrating India's rich heritage of weaving water into the fabric of its cultural celebrations.

The award is Rain Bird's seventh Sweepstakes Trophy and 11th overall Rose Parade trophy

In accordance with the 2009 Rose Parade theme, Hats Off To Entertainment, Rain Bird's 2009 float entry, Entertaining Expedition, showcases an African safari as Earth’s purest form of entertainment while bolstering its commitment to water conservation and the preservation of endangered species and the habitats in which they live throughout the world.

Water, a signature element of all of Rain Bird’s floats, will be prominently featured on Entertaining Expedition as 1,500 gallons of flowing recycled water will cascade over numerous waterfalls as elephants, lions, zebras and giraffes frolic in a brilliant display.  

"The Tournament of Roses Parade is a perfect fit for Rain Bird’s steadfast commitment to environmental preservation and The Intelligent Use of Water, as there is no better stage to bring worldwide focus to the importance of adapting behaviors in order to conserve Earth’s most precious natural resource," said Dave Johnson, Rain Bird’s director of corporate marketing.

Rain Bird also announced the return of its float riders Jack Hanna, director emeritus of the Columbus (Ohio) Zoo and Aquarium and host of Into The Wild; and Walter Crawford, Founder and executive director of the World Bird Sanctuary in St. Louis.

GolfersMD.com partners with Golf Channel

GolfersMD.com, a health, fitness and medicine-related Web site exclusively for golfers, has announced a partnership agreement in which it will provide information and content from the industries best doctors, trainers and medical experts to GolfChannel.com.

"We're excited to start a new content-sharing partnership with GolfersMD.com," said John Houde, Golf Channel vice president new media. "Health and fitness is very relevant to our online community and an important component in our overall content strategy."

As part of the agreement, GolfChannel.com will feature videos and articles by the experts at GolfersMD.com to help grow the health and fitness section of the Golf Channel’s Web site. "GolfersMD.com is committed to keeping golfers, and their games, healthy and strong," said Tom Carter CEO of GolfersMD.com.  "The partnership with the Golf Channel will help further educate the golf community that improving your health and fitness will lead to longer drives, less injuries and lower scores."