Divot Mix

Golf was better before. There was more art. It doesn't create a really rounded golfer. -- Geoff Ogilvy, 2006 U.S. Open champion, on the modern game

Centenary of the death of Old Tom Morris

Saturday, May 24, marks the 100th anniversary of the death of one of the true giants of the game of golf: Old Tom Morris.

Morris is considered to be the father of the golf course superintendent profession, and GCSAA's highest award is named after him.

He excelled as a clubmaker, greenkeeper, golf course architect and player. He built up a successful clubmaking business; revolutionized the conditioning of the links at St. Andrews; designed several courses, including Carnoustie and Royal Dornoch; and won The Open Championship no fewer than four times, in 1861, 1862, 1864 and 1867.

He was also responsible for tending the Old Course, holding the post of "Keeper of the Green" from 1864 until his retirement in 1903, although he continued as consulting greenkeeper until his death in 1908.

Thomas Mitchell Morris was born in St. Andrews in 1821. After leaving school at 16, he worked until 1851 for Allan Robertson, a St. Andrews clubmaker and one of the greatest golfers of the 19th century. At this point, Morris left to become Keeper of the Green at Prestwick, a role which he held until returning to St Andrews in 1864, whereupon the R&A gave him "entire charge of the golf course," with a salary of £50 per year.

This role gave him responsibility for the upkeep of the course under the direction of the green committee, and he set new standards in the quality and condition of the links – an improvement due in part to his being a headstrong and determined character. Not a man who was afraid to take matters into his own hands, Morris once closed the course without permission because he considered it in need of a rest, an action which earned him a public reprimand. Nevertheless, he won the battle and the course was kept out of play for a fortnight.

Tom Morris’s death in 1908 marked the end of an era. The sport of golf had lost its icon, and in fitting tribute no golf was played in the town on the day of his funeral. The Green committee of the R&A put on the record the esteem in which he was held: "The committee gladly and gratefully recognize that his single love for the Links he cared for so faithfully, his courteous and cheerful manner towards all members of the golfing community and above all the example of his well lived life and noble character have been forces which have influenced most powerfully the well being of the Royal and Ancient game."

Golf Channel takes a look at water

The Golf Channel’s highly-regarded "What’s in the Bag" series will examine water’s relationship with golf in a 30-minute episode that begins airing the week of May 26. Ordinarily an equipment show, this time WITB examines how GCSAA members care for the most fundamental equipment: the game’s playing field and the water used on it.

Golf Channel reporter Adam Barr uses the drought in Georgia as a backdrop to highlight the extreme restrictions faced by GCSAA members. Barr, along with producers Bob Swanson and Rusty Billingsly present the challenges of providing good conditions, while being good citizens.

GCSAA members featured include Mark Esoda, CGCS at Atlanta Country Club and GCSAA President David S. Downing II, CGCS, VP of the Signature Golf Group. Esoda and Downing were interviewed in Washington, D.C., as part of National Golf Day activities. They discuss the Georgia GCSA’s and GCSAA’s efforts to present a clear picture regarding water use and golf as means to educate lawmakers, the media and the public. Greg Lyman, GCSAA director of environmental programs reviews some key data from the association's Golf Course Environmental Profile project.

On the ground, the piece will highlight three facilities: Mike Crawford, CGCS at TPC Sugarloaf will talk about forgoing overseeding due to limited water availability, and what it has meant to playability. Ken Mangum, CGCS at Atlanta Athletic Club explains how effluent water has reduced his reliance on potable water and allowed him to be exempt from restrictions. Ralph Kepple, CGCS at East Lake Golf Club and Bob Carrow, Ph.D., University of Georgia talk about new grass varieties that will require fewer inputs.

Barr said, "This is an important step forward from shafts, club heads and launch angles for 'What’s in the Bag.' But we feel strongly that it's crucial to get golfers thinking and talking about this subject. What we found is golf is an efficient user of water, but with increasing demand for the resource, the scrutiny only intensifies. Golf has certainly made progress, but everyone from all walks of life will still be pressured to be even more water conscious. What we try to communicate is how that will impact the golfer."

Dates for the telecast include (all times eastern):

• May 26   Monday     7:30 p.m.                                     
• May 27   Tuesday    4:30 a.m.                         
• May 27   Tuesday    8:30 a.m.                                   
• May 29   Thursday   1:30 a.m.                              
• June 7    Saturday    3:30 p.m.

"I applaud the Golf Channel for being willing to examine this subject," Downing said. "We feel it is important to take a fact-based approach to an important subject. GCSAA members want to be part of the solution to a more efficient manager of our water resources.

The 30-minute show is part of an extensive and diverse package GCSAA has contracted to produce with the Golf Channel. It includes the production and airing of 600 commercial segments, 10 – 12 live interviews associated with professional golf events, course set up sponsorship at LPGA events, a course preview segment for each PGA Tour event during the Sprint Pregame Show, presence on the Golf Channel Web site and in the weekly Golf Channel e-newsletter to more than 600,000 subscribers.

Sultan is listed in the "world's most innovative resort developers"

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, chairman of Dubai World, has been named by Golf Inc. as one of the "world's most innovative resort developers."

Sultan bin Sulayem was one of the founding members of The Environmental Institute for Golf Advisory Council since 2004. For more on the award recognition, click here.

2008 American Express Women’s Golf Month set

June is American Express Women’s Golf Month, a nationwide initiative supported by Golf For Women magazine.  More than 68,000 women across the country have been introduced or re-introduced to the game over the past three years during American Express Women's Golf Week and due to the overwhelming success of the promotion since its inception, organizers extended it to the entire month of June.

LPGA Tour Hall of Fame and World Golf Hall of Fame member Nancy Lopez and LPGA/PGA Professional Suzy Whaley are the national spokeswomen.

American Express Women’s Golf Month will provide women the opportunity to learn, relearn and/or play golf in a women-friendly environment. Participating host golf facilities will offer complimentary golf instruction to women 14 years of age and older, during the month of June.  Extending the promotion to the entire month will give golf facilities and PGA Professionals more flexibility in offering a variety of activities such as networking receptions, golf rules and etiquette seminars, club fitting and equipment demonstrations, golf apparel fashion shows, luncheons, playing experiences and contests with the focus being on fun.

"American Express Women’s Golf Month is the perfect opportunity for women across the country to visit their local course and enjoy an event created just for them," said Anne Lyndrup, director of player development, National Golf Course Owners Association, and spokesperson for Women’s Golf Month organizers.

Those interested in participating, whether they are looking to get back into golf, are interested in playing more golf or have never played the game before, can find more details about American Express Women’s Golf Month at PlayGolfAmerica.com.

The event is part of the national Play Golf America campaign.  It is coordinated by industry-leading organizations, including the Executive Women’s Golf Association, the GCSAA, the LPGA, NGCOA and The PGA of America.