"I would like to be the perfect mom, the perfect wife, and the perfect golfer. But I've found that it's almost impossible." -- Nancy Lopez

75th Golf Course Conference and Show starts next week

The world of golf course maintenance will be focused on the San Diego Convention Center next week as GCSAA's 75th International Golf Course Conference and Show kicks off Feb. 9.

Running through Feb. 14, this is the world’s largest golf course management conference/trade show, with attendance averaging more than 20,000 for the past eight events. Last year in Atlanta, 701 exhibitors covered 245,200 square feet of space while education seminar attendance reached 6,295.

At the association’s annual meeting, Feb. 14, members will elect three officers and two directors from a field of seven candidates.

The city of San Diego has offered an official welcome to GCSAA and the attendees of this year's conference and show at http://www.seeyouinsandiego.com/gcs/

Rules of Golf get redrafted for clarity

When the USGA and R&A announced the changes in the Rules of Golf that would go into effect in 2004, the focus was on new rules and modifications to existing rules.

And while the new rule limiting the length of drivers is going to have an impact on the game, it's possible that the biggest change was heralded by one short paragraph in the announcement. It said, "Changes in language and format also have been made throughout the Rules. Language was updated for consistency and for easier understanding by golfers."

This redrafting of the language was done with the lofty goal of making them easier to use.

Has it been successful? Well, the most noticeable change is the near-complete elimination of the word shall. In Rule 1-2, The Game, the old version said, "No player or caddie shall take any action to influence the position or the movement of a ball except in accordance with the Rules."

Now it reads, "A player or caddie must not take any action to influence the position or the movement of a ball except in accordance with the Rules."

That's definitely simpler, and probably easier to understand.

Similar improvements were made in other portions of the Rules.

Rule 3-3 used to read, "In stroke play only, when during play of a hole a competitor is doubtful of his rights or procedure, he may, without penalty, play a second ball. After the situation which caused the doubt has arisen, the competitor should, before taking further actions, announce to his marker or fellow-competitor his decision to invoke this Rule and the ball with which he will score if the Rules permit."

That's been rewritten to read, "In stroke play, if a competitor is doubtful of his rights or the correct procedure during the play of a hole he may, without penalty, complete the hole with two balls.

"After the doubtful situation has arisen and before taking further action, the competitor must announce to his marker or a fellow-competitor that he intends to play two balls and which ball he wishes to count if the Rules permit. If he fails to do so, the provisions of Rule 3-3b(ii) apply."

for more visit the the online edition of the Decisions on the Rules of Golf.

The 2004-05 Rules of Golf may be ordered by calling the USGA Order Department at (800) 336-4446, or visiting the USGA publications Web site.

E-Z-GO Textron marks 50 years

E-Z-GO Textron, a leader in the golf car and utility vehicle market, has kicked off the company’s 50th anniversary year with a special ceremony at the 2004 PGA Show in Orlando, Fla.

Company founder and retired Textron Chairman/CEO Bev Dolan and former E-Z-GO Chairman Emeritus L.T. Walden joined current President John Garrison for a special toast commemorating the occasion.

“It is an honor to have two men who had such an impact on this company with us today,” said Garrison. “Bev Dolan laid the foundation for our success. His vision and leadership in the early years and his continuous support since 1954 are key reasons E-Z-GO is the leader that it is today.

“L.T. Walden’s leadership is responsible for much of E-Z-GO’s success. His experience and product knowledge, as well as the customer and employee relationships he cultivated over the years, were integral to our growth. L.T. is the embodiment of the E-Z-GO spirit. His impact will be felt for years to come,” Garrison said.

What began in a one-room machine shop in Augusta, Ga. has grown into the global industry leader in golf cars and utility vehicles. The company currently produces almost 50 vehicles at their 65-acre headquarters and manufacturing complex in Augusta.

Contact http://www.textron.com, http://www.ezgo.com.

Finalists named for Superintendent of the Year

Nine superintendents from around the country have been selected as finalists for the 2003 Superintendent of the Year Award presented by Golfweek's SuperNEWS.

The winner will be announced Feb. 13 at 2 p.m. at the GCSAA's 75th annual International Golf Course Conference and Show in San Diego. The presentation ceremony will be held at the Club Car booth No. 5422. Club Car will award a Club Car Carryall Turf 2 utility vehicle to the winner.

The finalists were chosen from nominations submitted by golf club members as well as public course golfers, general managers, assistant superintendents, and green committee chairmen.

The finalists are:

• Robert U. Alonzi, 61, CGCS, Fenway Golf Club, Scarsdale, N.Y.
• Eric Bauer, 32, The Club at Carlton Woods, The Woodlands, Texas.
• Terry Bonar, CGCS, Canterbury Golf Club, Beachwood, Ohio.
• Terry Carter, Pagosa Pines Golf Course, Pagosa Springs, Colo.
• Anne Hutchinson, Pinnacle Club, Mabank, Texas.
• Rob Murray, Paa-Ko Ridge Golf Club, Sandia Park, N.M.
• Paul Voykin, Briarwood Country Club, Deerfield, Ill.
• Peter Wendt, Kinloch Golf Club, Manakin-Sabot, Va.
• John Zimmers, Oakmont Country Club, Oakmont, Pa.