Divot Mix

Golf has so many virtues; it is not too strenuous; it is healthy; it can be played, anyhow in our climate, practically the whole year round. It has so many advantages over all other games that it must endure and prosper.  --Lord Barbazon of Tara, 1952

Sorenstam named USGA ambassador

Three-time U.S. Women’s Open champion and World Golf and LPGA Hall-of-Fame member Annika Sorenstam has been named a USGA Ambassador.

"Annika has earned a rare place in golf’s history, and we are very privileged to bring her aboard the USGA," said USGA President Jim Vernon. "As a USGA Ambassador, Annika will help us make the game more accessible and more relevant to players of all skill levels. She’ll provide key help in many ways, and we will begin the relationship through an innovative webcast from this year’s U.S. Women’s Open." 

Sorenstam’s first round at the championship, at Interlachen Country Club in Edina, Minn., will be streamed live on the U.S. Women’s Open site, a first in the world of women’s golf. "Users will be able to view every shot that she and the other players in her grouping make during her first round on June 26," added Vernon.

On Friday of the championship, June 27, the site will stream video featuring the traditional grouping of defending U.S. Women’s Open champion Cristie Kerr, Women’s British Open champion Lorena Ochoa and U.S. Women’s Amateur champion Maria Uribe. The 2008 U.S. Women’s Open will be the first international women’s golf event to feature this option.

Regarded as one of the most dominant players in LPGA history, Sorenstam compiled a remarkable list of records and accomplishments. She has recorded 88 career wins (72 on the LPGA tour), including 10 major championships. She earned a record eight Rolex Player-of-the-Year awards; eight money list titles; six Vare Trophies for the lowest scoring average; was named Golf Writers Association of America Female Player of the Year eight times and became the first player in LPGA history to cross the $22 million mark in career earnings. She has participated on eight Solheim Cup teams and was inducted into the LPGA and World Golf Hall of Fame in 2003.

In addition, Sorenstam will appear on the USGA’s Web site and will highlight the Rules of Golf. Mike Davis, the USGA’s senior director of rules and competitions, said, "It makes perfect sense as Annika has attended a USGA Rules Seminar and has always displayed a passion for learning and mastering the Rules of Golf." 

Family Golf Month features Vince Gill, Amy Grant

Family golf clinics and play days will be used to promote golf as the perfect recreation for families during the third annual Family Golf Month in July.

Grammy award winners and golfing enthusiasts Vince Gill and Amy Grant, along with their seven-year old daughter Corrina are the spokesfamily for the second consecutive year.

"Golf is a great activity for families to get outdoors and enjoy themselves," Gill said.  "Families should participate in Family Golf Month because it spreads the message of the game and hopefully the love of the game will take hold in our kids."

Last year, more than 1,100 facilities hosted Family Golf Month events such as Family Golf Clinics, Family Play Days, Kids Play Free Programs and Family Golf Leagues, an 823 percent increase from 2006. A total of 120 golf facilities nationwide offered family programs in the pilot promotion throughout the summer of 2006.

Last August, the PGA Family Course Program was launched at facilities nationwide in partnership with U.S. Kids Golf and its Personal Tee Program.  By year's end, more than 300 golf courses participated in the program.

"Golf is just a great way for families to spend unhurried time together," Grant said.  "How many sporting events can a 50- or 60-year old adult do with a 10-year old?  Not many."
 
The PGA of America and the National Golf Course Owners Association are also promoting "Take Your Daughter to the Course Week" July 7-13 at participating facilities. 

Developed in 2000, the program is now promoted under the Play Golf America marketing umbrella.  Participating golf courses across the country offer a free clinic for young ladies during the week and also offer complimentary green fees to a young lady accompanied by a paying adult.  A total of 1,396 facilities participated in the promotion in 2007, an 11 percent increase from 2006, with 84,500 consumers participating, a 12 percent increase from last year.  Of the 84,500 who attended the promotion, 38 percent were new customers and 29 percent were new or beginner golfers.

A list of facilities participating in Family Golf Month with details on specific events and online registration is available at PlayGolfAmerica.com.

Woodward to headline fall Golf Inc. conference

GCSAA CEO Mark Woodward, CGCS, who as golf operations manager for the city of San Diego played a key role in preparing Torrey Pines Golf Club for the 2008 U.S. Open, will deliver the keynote address at the Fall Golf Inc. Conference Sept. 29 - Oct.1, 2008 at the Camelback Inn in Scottsdale, Ariz.

After one of the greatest U.S. Opens in recent memory, the mastermind behind the maintenance and setup of the magnificent Torrey Pines layout will be the kickoff speaker at the conference at 8 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 1.

Woodward will share with attendees how he and his team prepared for the world-class event, the challenges, pitfalls and successes, as well as discuss his new role as executive director of GCSAA and the future of golf worldwide.

"This is by far the best U.S. Open venue I've ever played at," former PGA Tournament winner Rich Beem said of the scenic Torrey Pines layout. "It was absolutely fantastic. The way they set up the golf course with multiple tee boxes, the way they changed a lot of the holes with different yardages, how they cut the rough. It gave everybody a fair chance to advance the golf ball."

In his role with the city of San Diego, Woodward and his staff developed a five-year business plan that generated an additional $3 million in revenue from 2006 to 2007, including the implementation of the Advance Tee Time program that added $500,000 in revenue in the first year. His department hosted numerous high-profile events including three junior world golf championships, three city amateur championships, three PGA Tour events and the historic U.S. Open. His plan created 20,000 additional rounds available for the public golfer and the three golf facilities host 260 golf outings annually.

From a golf course standpoint, Woodward has implemented a management plan that has produced drastically improved course conditions and enhanced environmental stewardship. He was honored as one of Golf Inc.'s Most Admired Operators in 2006.
"You can't believe how much Mark Woodward has meant to Torrey Pines," said Mike Davis, U.S. Golf Association senior director of rules and competition. "I can't even begin to list the things Mark has done."

More than 90 speakers and executives from the golf industry will join Woodward in educating and informing attendees. Contact http://www.golfincmagazine.com/conference.

Can water education for green industry trickle down to consumers?

With the southeastern U.S. still in the grip of drought, green industry leaders fight back with educational series designed for those on the front lines--landscape contractors and independent garden centers.

Nine out of 10 households surveyed by the National Gardening Association believe it is important to manage personal lawns and gardens in an environmentally friendly way.  However, only half (53 percent) of all households say they know how to maintain gardens using good environmental stewardship practices.

"Education is the key component to successfully develop water usage practices that are sustainable for years to come," says Mary Kay Woodworth, executive director of the Metro Atlanta Landscape and Turf Association. "It is our job as industry professionals and leaders to educate consumers on environmentally sound landscape practices." 
But keeping up with ever-changing water restrictions is not easy to do, specifically for landscape contractors and independent retail garden centers servicing multiple communities which may fall under differing regulations. 

That is why the Southern Nursery Association plans to host a number of educational classes for industry leaders as part of its annual Green Industry Trade Show held in Atlanta this August.

"The focus is not on keeping up with current restrictions, but rather continual water management practices that can be implemented to produce sustainable landscapes," says Steve Newton, executive vice president of the SNA.

Educational topics include best management practices for drought tolerance and water conservation in the landscape, as well as tips to shrink water bills and to maximize the use of rainwater and recycled water.  Additional classes will focus on hidden treasures—great, available plants that are often overlooked—and conifers for sweltering environments like the Southeast.

Although the educational classes are only for industry professionals, the SNA hopes the information will trickle down to consumers through landscape contractors and seminars hosted by independent garden centers.

"Our goal is to educate the green industry professionals who interact with consumers daily," said Newton. "In turn, they are to pass on that information to their customers."
SNA educational tech shop classes are available for all industry professionals and will be held August 6 at the Georgia World Congress Center in downtown Atlanta. Professionals may visit www.sna.org to register for classes as well as to attend the 2008 Green Industry Trade Show, Aug. 7-9 at the Georgia World Congress Center.