Industry News
OPEI reaffirms commitment to environment
Alternative fuels and the continued reduction of emissions were among the major topics discussed by industry leaders at the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute’s recent annual meeting.
 "As an industry, we must visibly demonstrate our commitment as stewards of the environment," said Bill Harley, OPEI president and CEO. "Today’s equipment is 70 percent cleaner than 1990s equipment. With the industry’s continued investment in the latest technologies, our equipment will be 85 percent cleaner."
In his opening remarks, Fred Whyte, OPEI’s immediate past chairman and president of Stihl Inc., commented, "Our industry has made great strides in contributing to environmental solutions through cooperation and support with all phases of EPA emissions regulations. With new EPA Phase 3 regulations, ground supported exhaust emissions will be reduced an additional 35 percent of current levels by 2010."
As part of its ongoing environmental activities, OPEI recently supported an amendment to the Senate’s Energy and Natural Resources Committee’s Energy Bill requiring federal agencies to study the impact of "mid-level" blends of ethanol gasoline. The amendment was unanimously approved by the committee.
The OPEI has also helped to spearhead the Alliance for a Safe Alternative Fuels Environment, a new coalition of consumer and user groups and manufacturing associations to help assure the safe and successful introduction of new bio-based fuels. Contact www.opei.org.
NCA redesigns Club Director
The National Club Association recently debuted its redesigned flagship publication, Club Director. For the first time in more than a decade, the association has changed the design direction and editorial content of this venerable, highly regarded publication.
The redesign, headed by Pensaré Design Group based in Washington, D.C., gives a fresh, contemporary face to Club Director with an increased emphasis on readability and sensibility. Readers will notice more graphs, charts, photography, and pull quotes and a more consistent look within the departments and features.
Readers will also notice Club Director’s strongeditorial content was retained and enhanced with new department titles that better describe each department’s editorial focus. For example, one of the magazine’s most popular departments, "Club Alert Network News," is now "Laws & Regs."
Also, two new departments—"Spotlight" and "By the Numbers"—have been added to the magazine. "Spotlight" is made up of news, NCA member activities, tips from club leaders, and unique programs and information on clubs from one of six regions of the country. The June/July issue focuses on clubs in the Northeast, and the August/September issue will shine the spotlight on the Great Plains region. The second new department, "By the Numbers," provides a back-page snapshot of pertinent statistics on topics of importance to private clubs.
As always, each issue of Club Director will also include an in-depth, analysis-oriented cover story and at least two to three feature-length articles, including sidebars, on cutting-edge topics and how-to issues for club leaders.
NCA has spent the last year launching its new corporate identity, logo and brand message and overhauling its products, publications, and communications initiatives in order to serve our members better. As NCA’s official publication, Club Director acts as the main member communications vehicle for NCA and aims to help club leaders make key policy decisions to facilitate member service more efficiently.
With its cleaner, more sophisticated look, Club Director will continue its reputation as the premier informational resource club leaders go to for practical, applicable insights on industry trends, tax and regulatory compliance issues, effective governance techniques, operational problems and policy data.
Since 1961, The National Club Association (NCA) has served as the advocate for private clubs, representing the business, legal and legislative interests of social, recreational and athletic clubs. For more information, visit www.nationalclub.org, 202-822-9822.
EIFG, GCSAA and members on The Golf Channel
A 30-minute special featuring GCSAA and its members, and The Environmental Institute for Golf will air on the Golf Channel later this month.
GCSAA members Troy Russell, Jeff Sutherland, Eric Johnson, Ken Nice and Thomas Jefferson spoke with Golf Channel host Adam BarrGolf about how the property is managed in a manner that is compatible with the environment.
While in Oregon, the Golf Channel crew also caught up with GCSAA Class A superintendent David Phipps, Stone Creek Golf Club, Oregon City, Ore., who also hosts GreenLinks from the EDGE on EIFG.org.
Air times are (all eastern) Monday, July 23 at 11 p.m.; Tuesday, July 24 at 2 a.m. and 11 a.m.; Wednesday, July 25 at 5:30 a.m.; and Sunday, July 29 at 11:30 a.m. It will also be aired later in the year at times and dates to be determined.
The program is part of GCSAA’s partnership with the Golf Channel, which included a 30-minute program on the remaking of the TPC Sawgrass with GCSAA member Fred Klauk earlier this year.
Excellence in Government Relations Awards forms available
An online nomination form for the 2008 GCSAA Excellence in Government Relations Awards is now available and can be found in the Resources section of GCSAA.org. Also, a hard copy of the form can be requested from GCSAA by calling 800-472-7878.
The EGR Awards recognize and honor outstanding individual and chapter efforts in government relations. Recipients are recognized for their efforts and accomplishments in the areas of advocacy and compliance.
Nominees will be judged on how their efforts best serve the interests of the golf course industry. The awards reflect all government relations efforts, and are not limited to the previous year’s activities. Additionally, potential nominees are eligible regardless of the success of their efforts.
Any GCSAA member superintendent, assistant superintendent, or chapter is eligible to receive an award. Those who were nominated last year, but did not receive an award, are eligible again this year. The GCSAA Government Relations Committee will select EGR Award recipients later this fall. Recipients will be recognized through various GCSAA publications as well as receive a complimentary registration to the 2008 Golf Industry Show in Orlando.
The deadline for nominations is Oct. 15, 2007. For further information, contact Nathan Littlejohn, government relations coordinator, at 800-472-7878, Ext. 4493 or nlittlejohn@gcsaa.org.
Irrigation Association certifications earn WaterSense Label
The Irrigation Association Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor and Certified Golf Irrigation Auditor programs have earned the WaterSense label making IA certifications the first four programs recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency for water efficiency.
 "The WaterSense program will make it easier for consumers to find and choose contractors with the skills to evaluate, design, install and maintain efficient irrigation systems," said IA Executive Director Deborah Hamlin.
Individuals who earn CLIA or CGIA after April 1 can apply to become WaterSense partners and use the WaterSense partner logo along with their IA certification logos. Those who earned CLIA or CGIA before April 1 will be eligible for WaterSense partnership with their 2008 renewal.
The WaterSense label will raise the profile of certified irrigation professionals as the EPA program increases consumer awareness of water efficiency. The WaterSense label identifies products and services that meet EPA specifications for water efficiency in the same way the Energy Star identifies energy-efficient products.
"We are pleased that all the IA’s certifications related to turf and landscape irrigation have earned the WaterSense label," said IA Certification Board Chairman James Dowd. "This is great for certified professionals, great for the industry and great for irrigation efficiency."
The IA Certified Irrigation Contractor and Certified Irrigation Designer programs were the first professional certifications to earn the WaterSense label. More than 200 IA CICs and CIDs have become WaterSense partners so far.
"Water-efficient landscapes can still be beautiful and healthy," said Sheila Frace, director of the EPA Office of Water Municipal Support Division. "WaterSense-labeled certification programs cover the latest water-saving technologies and techniques."
WaterSense partners will soon be listed in a searchable national database hosted by the EPA for consumers. Partners can use the partner logo on business cards and other materials and will have access to promotional materials from WaterSense.
For more, visit IA/WaterSense Frequently Asked Questions.
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