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Golf courses. The conditions of the golf courses. I think that's the largest improvement I've seen over the years, without getting into the equipment part of it. Superintendents have done marvelous jobs getting these golf courses in shape to play tournament golf and for everyday golfers. - Fuzzy Zoeller

In an effort to understand how the industry is faring during the current recession, The National Golf Foundation recently sent surveys to golfers, golf facilities and golf businesses.

The results are somewhat contradictory. Rounds played at golf facilities were surprisingly down only 1.3 percent through October 2008 vs. the same period in 2007. Rounds data is somewhat corroborated by operator surveys: 38 percent of operators expect revenues to be up in 2008, 35 percent down and 27 percent the same – in other words, roughly flat overall.

On the other hand, half of core golfers are feeling the economic strain and are reining in their spending. While there is still a loyal base, 25 percent have cut back on playing fees and merchandise.

Why the disconnect? The NGF speculates that golfers are only decreasing their rounds by a little, or their rounds are being offset by others. Whatever the explanation, the statements are a reflection of the general decline in consumer confidence. (And, these surveys don't reflect the recent changes in the stock market.)

When golf facilities and golf-related businesses were asked "Do you expect your revenues in 2008 to be up, down or the same as in 2007?" 40 perecent said down, 35 percent said up, and 23 percent said they would stay the same.

Hydration stations to debut at GIS

The 2009 Golf Industry Show will feature hydration stations in various, convenient locations on the trade show floor Feb. 5-7 in New Orleans.

The hydration stations are presented by a revolutionary fungicide that will be introduced at the Golf Industry Show (booth 3357). Visit www.agreenercourse.com for more details.

Golf Industry Show attendees will be able to pick up a reusable and refillable sports bottle along with cold, clean drinking water for the bottles. In an effort to reduce plastic waste that comes from bottled water, attendees are encouraged to carry and drink from these bottles as they traverse the trade show floor. The sports bottles should also make for a useful souvenir from New Orleans.

There will be three stations on the trade show floor, with one in the Buyer/Seller Marketplace and two on opposite ends of the trade show floor near the Networking Parks. These will be visible from the spokes of the main aisle and from the track where people movers will transport attendees around the trade show floor.

A fourth station will be located in the halls of the annual conferences beginning Feb. 2. The hydration stations are also identified on the trade show map.

The 2008 Atlantic Hurricane Season is officially over, marking the end of a season that produced a record number of consecutive storms to strike the United States. It ranks as one of the more active seasons in the 64 years since comprehensive records began.

A total of 16 named storms formed this season, based on an operational estimate by NOAA's National Hurricane Center. The storms included eight hurricanes, five of which were major hurricanes at Category 3 strength or higher. These numbers fall within the ranges predicted in NOAA's pre- and mid–season outlooks issued in May and August. The August outlook called for 14 to 18 named storms, seven to 10 hurricanes and three to six major hurricanes. An average season has 11 named storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes.

"This year's hurricane season continues the current active hurricane era and is the tenth season to produce above-normal activity in the past 14 years," said Gerry Bell, Ph.D., lead seasonal hurricane forecaster at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center.

Overall, the season is tied as the fourth most active in terms of named storms (16) and major hurricanes (five), and is tied as the fifth most active in terms of hurricanes (eight) since 1944, which was the first year aircraft missions flew into tropical storms and hurricanes.

For the first time on record, six consecutive tropical cyclones (Dolly, Edouard, Fay, Gustav, Hanna and Ike) made landfall on the U.S. mainland and a record three major hurricanes struck Cuba. This is also the first Atlantic season to have a major hurricane form in five consecutive months.

• An ongoing multi-decadal signal. This combination of ocean and atmospheric conditions has spawned increased hurricane activity since 1995.
• Lingering La Niña effects. Although the La Niña that began in the Fall of 2007 ended in June, its influence of light wind shear lingered.
• Warmer tropical Atlantic Ocean temperatures. On average, the tropical Atlantic was about 1.0 degree Fahrenheit above normal during the peak of the season.

NOAA's National Hurricane Center is conducting comprehensive post-event assessments of each named storm of the season. Some of the early noteworthy findings include:

• Bertha was a tropical cyclone for 17 days (July 3-20), making it the longest-lived July storm on record in the Atlantic Basin.
• Fay is the only storm on record to make landfall four times in the state of Florida, and to prompt tropical storm and hurricane watches and warnings for the state’s entire coastline (at various times during its August lifespan).
• Paloma, reaching Category 4 status with top winds of 145 mph, is the second strongest November hurricane on record (behind Lenny in 1999 with top winds of 155 mph).

Much of the storm-specific information is based on operational estimates and some changes could be made during the review process that is underway.

"The information we'll gain by assessing the events from the 2008 hurricane season will help us do an even better job in the future," said Bill Read, director of NOAA’s National Hurricane Center. "With this season behind us, it's time to prepare for the one that lies ahead."

NOAA will issue its initial 2009 Atlantic Hurricane Outlook in May, prior to the official start of the season on June 1. On the Web: NOAA Climate Prediction Center.