Industry News

Deere and Bayer accepting nominations for Green Start Academy          

Nominations will open on June 20 for the 2008 Green Start Academy, a two-day educational and networking event for assistant superintendents sponsored by John Deere Golf and Bayer Environmental Science. This exclusive program offers an opportunity for assistants to enhance their careers by learning best practices, meeting industry experts and networking with peers.

Once nominated by their superintendent, any assistant from the U.S. or Canada can apply to attend Green Start by submitting an essay. Only 50 assistants will be selected to attend the event.

"By combining equipment, irrigation and chemical management education, Green Start provides assistant superintendents with professional development in all golf course maintenance areas," said Neil Cleveland, managing director, Bayer Environmental Science, Green Professional Products. "We’ve heard a lot of positive feedback from past participants and pleased to be actively involved."

Selected winners will attend Green Start Academy Oct. 1-3, 2008, in Clayton, N.C., at the Bayer Development and Training Center and John Deere’s Turf Care factory in Fuquay Varina, N.C.

"Not only do these assistant superintendents benefit on a personal level, but their golf courses and the entire industry benefit as well," said Gregg Breningmeyer, director of marketing and sales, John Deere Golf.  "We’re proud to help provide this opportunity and are looking forward to a promising group."

Essays will be judged by a panel of industry experts including:  Shawn Emerson of Desert Mountain Golf Club, Bob Farren, CGCS at Pinehurst Country Club, Ken Mangum, CGCS at Atlanta Athletic Club, Dean Miller, GCSAA Class A superintendent at PGA West and La Quinta Resorts, and Bruce Williams, CGCS at Los Angeles Country Club.

Once nominations open on June 20, 2008, superintendents and assistant superintendents should visit www.JohnDeere.com/Academy for more information.

Arcadia and Scotts to develop nitrogen use efficient grass

Arcadia Biosciences and The Scotts Co. have announced a research agreement to develop Nitrogen Use Efficient turf grass varieties. Under the agreement, ScottsMiracle-Gro has an exclusive global license to develop and commercialize turf grasses utilizing Arcadia NUE technology for use in a wide range of consumer and commercial markets.

With an estimated 40 million acres of managed turf in the United States alone, grass is the world’s most cultivated non-agricultural plant. NUE grasses can enable consumers and commercial landscape professionals to maintain healthy turf with lower costs, greater convenience, and reduced environmental impacts.

"Great-looking turf has a powerful psychological appeal and Americans spend about $30 billion annually and considerable time and effort to maintain their lawns. Nitrogen Use Efficient Lawn Grass can have a significant positive impact on the cost, convenience, and carbon footprint of maintaining healthy turf," said Eric Rey, president and CEO of Arcadia.

New name a for Weibring design company

Dallas-based D.A. Weibring/Golf Resources Group Inc. has changed its name to Weibring-Wolfard Golf Design, reflecting the long-standing collaboration between D.A. Weibring and Steve Wolfard. Collectively, Weibring and Wolfard have worked on more than 100 golf course projects worldwide.

The company was founded in 1987 by D.A. Weibring, a 12-time winner on the PGA, Champions and other international golf tours. In 1997, Weibring was joined by award-winning golf course architect Steve Wolfard. Prior to joining the company, Wolfard has collaborated on golf course projects with pros, including Jack Nicklaus, Fred Couples and Johnny Miller.

"As an architect and a business partner, Steve’s expertise and leadership are the driving force behind the projects we’ve completed together." Weibring said. "Steve is integral to our team’s success and the company’s new name is a reflection of his impact."

Queen’s award for Bernhard and Co.

Bernhard and Co., the UK mower blade sharpening specialist, has been awarded The Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the Innovation category, for outstanding or continuous achievement.

Bernhard and Co. is only the second business in the sector to have been granted a Queen’s Award during the 43-year history of this prestigious Royal scheme. The award is based on the continuous innovation and development of their highly-regarded Express Dual and Anglemaster sharpening systems.

Stephen Bernhard, managing director, said, "We all work hard with one goal in mind – customer satisfaction. Queen’s Awards are not easily achieved and so I would like to pay tribute to the sheer hard work and consistency demonstrated by Bernhard’s committed workforce. We can feel justifiably proud of our collective efforts. I should also like to thank our associates and customers around the world for their continuing loyalty and support.

Bernhard’s grinders and staff support major golf event including The U.S. Open, Ryder Cup, The Open Championship, PGA Championship and many regular major tour events. Contact http://www.bernhard.co.uk/.

NGF signs deal with The Weather Channel

The National Golf Foundation has a new three-year data licensing agreement with The Weather Channel Interactive Inc. NGF has been supplying the golf course information featured on weather.com since 2003. The new agreement officially extends the relationship to 2011.

The weather.com Web site provides daily golf forecasts and detailed directory listings for every active golf course in the U.S. The directory now features a "Powered by NGF" icon where users will be able to revise course information. The revisions will be forwarded to NGF Database Services for review and verification.

NGF's other data licensing clients include Web-based companies such as GolfLink.com, GolfNow.com, NetHandicap.com, GolfingMyWay.com, PlayersPass.com and product application companies like NAVTEQ, DENSO, UPlay, iMapData and Never-Search.