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| November 6, 2008 |
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Industry NewsGCSAA Chapter Delegates preview New Orleans GCSAA took its Chapter Delegates to New Orleans, Oct. 24-26 to offer a preview of the 2009 Education Conference and Golf Industry Show being held there in February. "We knew there was some concern about New Orleans’ ability to host conference and show," GCSAA President David S. Downing II, CGCS said. "We felt the best way to address that was by hosting the delegates in New Orleans. Various association activities have been held there since Hurricane Katrina, so we were confident the delegates would be impressed by what they saw." The meeting also included a two-hour tour of the city and a briefing from local officials on the recovery from storms during the past two years. "I thought it was great that we got to see the city," first-time delegate Gary Myers, CGCS, said. "I appreciate that we saw everything. There are still some areas that need to be rebuilt, but from the standpoint of attending the conference and show, everything was fine. I did not hear any delegate say New Orleans would not be a good place for us. It should be a great event." "I appreciate the delegates taking their personal time to meet in New Orleans," GCSAA CEO Mark Woodward, CGCS, said. We rely on them to be the conduit to chapters. We also need them to give us feedback. The one item that was very clear to me is that when member financial challenges are great, the opportunities and the need to assist our members are at their greatest. We live by the mantra that ‘Members Matter Most’ and I would contend they need us more than ever right now, and we need them as well because it is truly a partnership." GCSAA members can read a report on the outcomes of the meeting by clicking here.
E-Z-Go a finalist for Industry Week’s Best Plants Award E-Z-Go, says its Augusta, Ga., manufacturing facility has been named a 2008 finalist for Industry Week magazine’s Best Plants Award. The award recognizes North American plants that are "on the leading edge of efforts to increase competitiveness, enhance customer satisfaction and create stimulating and rewarding work environments," according to the magazine. E-Z-Go was selected as one of 20 finalists for the award. Of the finalists, 10 winners will be selected and featured in the magazine’s January 2009 issue. "I am honored, but not surprised, that our facility has been named a finalist for this prestigious honor," said John Collins, plant manager for E-Z-Go. "Ultimately, it is an organization’s people who drive its success, and we have the finest workforce to be found anywhere." The Augusta plant manufactures more than 25 vehicles from the RXV fleet golf car to the ST line of personal utility vehicles. The company recently completed extensive improvements to the facility, which contributed to the recognition of this honor. In January, the company launched a state-of-the-art manufacturing line for the RXV that incorporates "smart tools," ergonomic workstations, natural lighting, and other high-tech advances to drive first-time quality, conserve energy and minimize environmental impacts.
USDA/PVPO grants protection to new plant varieties . The U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued certificates of protection to developers of several varieties grass.
Research grant proposals due in two weeks Nov. 14 is the deadline to submit proposals for the 2009 GCSAA Research Grant Program. The Environmental Institute for Golf will provide funding for projects in the Chapter Cooperative Research Program and the Jumeirah Golf Estates Water Conservation Grant. Learn about these programs, and for more information or to discuss research ideas, contact Clark Throssell, Ph.D., director of research, by e-mail or at 406-656-1986.
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