Divot Mix

Gimme: an agreement between two losers who can't putt. -- Jim Bishop

USOpen.com sets live Internet records during playoff

The USGA says that USOpen.com set a record for live concurrent streaming viewers during the playoff round of the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines in San Diego, Calif.

More than 2.5 million streams were served, surpassing all previous single sporting event numbers. The numbers peaked at more than 600,000 concurrent streams during Monday’s playoff. 

The site streamed the Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Adam Scott grouping on the first two days. Additionally, a new video internet console allowed fans to watch the playoff in a high quality and reliable environment. The technology was provided through its newest corporate partner, IBM, which designed and hosted the site. 

"USOpen.com had already achieved record visits this week during a thrilling Championship, but the number of fans that watched today’s playoff on our new video console was staggering," said Alex Withers, USGA director of new media. "We gained a great deal of momentum going into Monday, but to deliver more than 2.5 million streams in one day really shows how we got fans closer to the action than ever before.

"Fans on both USOpen.com and ESPN.com were able to view the playoff live on the new video console," Withers said.

Other innovations to the USGA site were in-depth course analysis, mobile leader boards, live interactive gaming and fan message boards.

EPA asks, "What do you drive, and why?"

Ever wanted to tell the EPA what you thought about an environmental topic?  Each week, you have your chance in the EPA blog, "Greenversations."  Each question is an open-ended blog entry; please share your thoughts as comments.
 
This week's question: What do you drive, and why? Got wheels? There are as many reasons you have a car, truck, or whatever you drive, as there are types of vehicles from which to choose. But there are also trade-offs in your vehicle choice that affect the environment and your wallet.

Share your answer: http://blog.epa.gov/blog/2008/06/16/qotwwhatdoyoudrive.
For the rest of the blog visit http://blog.epa.gov.

Spring is seventh warmest

The combined average global land and ocean surface temperatures for spring (March-May) ranked seventh warmest, while May was the eighth warmest since worldwide records began in 1880 according to an analysis by NOAA’s National Climatic Data Center.

Among the global highlights in March through May:

• The combined land and ocean surface temperature was 0.94 degrees above the 20th century mean of 56.7 degrees F and ranked seventh warmest based on the 1880-2008 record.
• The land surface temperature was 1.87 degrees above the 20th century mean of 46.4 degrees.
• The ocean surface temperature for spring was 0.59 degrees F above the 20th century mean of 61.0 degrees F and ranked 10th warmest.

For May 2008, the combined global land and ocean surface temperature was 0.81 degrees F above the 20th century mean of 58.6 degrees F and ranked eighth warmest.

Continued weakening of La Niña, the cold phase of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), occurred during May and conditions are expected to trend toward neutral during the next two months.

National Wildlife Federation photo contest deadline approaching

National Wildlife Federation has announced its 38th annual National Wildlife Photo Contest-- with more than $18,000 in prizes to be awarded.

There are six categories to enter and the contest has amateur, professional and youth divisions. The deadline is July 1. Click here to enter or get more information.