"Golf is not, on the whole, a game for realists. By its exactitudes of measurement, it invites the attention of perfectionists." -- sportswriter Heywood Hale Broun

Study approves of pesticide tests with humans

According to a New York Times story by reporter Jennifer 8. Lee a National Academy of Sciences report has concluded that the EPA should be allowed to use data from studies in which humans are intentionally exposed to pesticides and other toxic substances--provided strict scientific and ethical standards are met.

The report was requested by the Bush administration in 2001 after environmental advocacy groups revealed in the late 1990s that companies were testing pesticides on humans.

Industry groups, including one representing pesticide companies, said they were pleased by the panel's findings. Environmental advocacy groups were critical of the report. For the whole story, visit the New York Times online. (Registration required.)

Overland Park takes turf equipment to eBay.com

Ebay might not be the first place you think of to shop for used turf equipment, but the City of Overland Park, Kan., is hoping that's about to change.

Following a decision to lease equipment for the city's golf courses and parks, Overland Park was left with two choices.

According to golf course superintendent Terry Rodenberg, “In the past, when new equipment was purchased, the used equipment was either traded in or sold at public auction. But with today’s electronic technology, we have additional alternatives. The use of an on-line auction company, like eBay, allows us to expand our audience and to reach golf course superintendents outside of our local area.”

Because the on-line auction service was new ground for the City, a great deal of work was done to investigate the viability of the process. It was determined that additional steps were needed to assure that news of the auction reached those who might be interested in the sale. Rodenberg purchased mailing lists of golf courses in a six-state area from GCSAA and sent fliers announcing the auctions. The announcement went to golf courses and superintendents in Nebraska , Iowa, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri. The city did a local press release and this information was then publicized on three television stations and in the Kansas City Star.

A letter signed by Greg Ruether, parks and forestry manager; Sandy Queen, CGCS, golf course manager and Rodenberg, prefaced the mailing. It said, "After much research, we have decided that the most efficient and economical position for the City of Overland Park is a lease arrangement. Our new fleet will be delivered shortly and we must sell our existing equipment.

"Our sale will put on the market some of the best maintained and most modern Golf Course and Park maintenance equipment in the Midwest."

The announcement also included pictures and descriptions of the equipment. Potential buyers can call Larry Wood, assistant superintendent, at (913) 909-8060 for an appointment to inspect the equipment at the St. Andrews Turf Care Center in Overland Park, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 12 p.m, Sat. Feb. 28.

In all, 79 items of golf course and parks equipment have been listed on eBay, and they are already attracting international attention and many bids. To see the equipment or place a bid, visit www.eBay.com and type "Overland Park" in the "What are you looking for?" space or go to the City of Overland Park’s website, http://www.opkansas.org, and follow the Golf links.

IGM donates to EIFG

International Golf Course Maintenance, a subsidiary of Meadowbrook Golf, has donated proceeds from its second annual "One Million Dollar Hole-In-One Challenge" to The Environmental Institute for Golf.

IGM conducted the challenge Nov. 7 at the Meadowbrook-owned and operated SilverStone Golf Resort in Las Vegas, Nev. With the $7,500 donation, IGM maintains its membership in the Platinum Tee Club, which recognizes companies and organizations that contribute $5,000 or more annually to The Institute.

"One of our top priorities at IGM is environmental preservation," said IGM Executive Vice President Scott Zakany, CGCS. "We believe it is our duty and responsibility to protect the natural beauty and resources that, in essence, serve as the foundation of a truly great golf facility. By supporting The Environmental Institute for Golf, we continue to be part of the solution."

This year IGM expanded the rules to accommodate multiple IGM-maintained golf courses. From Aug. 15 to Sept. 30, IGM encouraged its affiliated courses to incorporate a value-added, par-three contest in tournaments held at each of its clubs. Each participating course increased tournament fees by $5 to allow all tournament players to participate in the hole-in-one contests. Although no one made a hole in one, more than 2,400 individuals participated in the qualifying rounds for the chance to win a trip to Las Vegas for the $1 million shot.

"We are very appreciative of the support IGM and Meadowbrook have given to The Institute," said GCSAA CEO Steve Mona, CAE. "It represents a strong commitment to the profession, the industry and the game. We value the relationship that has developed with IGM over the years and look forward to continuing the collaboration on future events."

USGA to extend invitation to NCAA champions

The USGA has announced that it will give the individual winners of the men's and women's NCAA Division I Golf Championships exemptions into the next U.S. Amateur and U.S. Women's Amateur Championships, beginning with the 2004 season.

The NCAA men's championship is June 1-4 at the Cascades Golf Course at The Homestead in Hot Springs, Va. The NCAA women's championship is May 18-21 at the Grand National Lake Course at Auburn University in Auburn, Ala.

The U.S. Amateur Championship, with a starting field of 312, will be Aug. 16-22 at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, N.Y. The U.S. Women's Amateur, with a starting field of 156, will be Aug. 9-15 at The Kahkwa Club in Erie, Pa. Both championships start with 36 holes of stroke play before the top 64 scorers advance to match play.

The USGA said nine Amateur winners also have been NCAA champions, starting with Harvard's Chandler Egan, who won the 1902 NCAA title and the 1904 and 1905 Amateur. The most recent double winner was Tiger Woods of Stanford, who won the 1996 NCAA and three consecutive Amateurs from 1994 through 1996.

Woods is also one of six NCAA champions to win a U.S. Open. The other five are Tom Kite, Hale Irwin, Jack Nicklaus, Scott Simpson and Curtis Strange.

In its shorter 22-year history, four women have won both the NCAA and the Women's Amateur titles, including 2003 Women's Amateur champion Virada Nirapathpongporn, who won the 2002 NCAA title playing for Duke. College golf for women was organized by other administrative bodies prior to 1982.

Annika Sorenstam, who won the NCAA title while at Arizona in 1991, is one of two NCAA individual champions who went on to win a U.S. Women's Open. She won the Women's Open in 1995 and 1996. The other was Kathy Baker, who won the 1982 NCAA and the 1985 Women's Open.

For a list of all the joint winners, visit theUSGA Press Room.

Deere gets Fortune top ranking

Deere & Co. has earned the top ranking in the industrial and farm equipment category of Fortune magazine's America's Most Admired Companies list. Deere improved on all eight attributes judged in the annual competition.

Results of the research will be published in the March 8 edition of the magazine. More than 10,000 business executives, directors and securities analysts are surveyed to determine Fortune's rankings of over 600 companies.

In addition to its overall number one ranking in the industrial and farm equipment category, Deere was also the top ranked company in its category for innovation and social responsibility. Additionally, the company earned high scores on the other six attributes, including quality of products and services, quality of management, financial soundness, use of corporate assets, long-term investment and employee talent.

Deere's largest gains in the rankings from a year ago were for the attributes of innovation and Deere's strength as a good long-term investment. Rounding out the top five in the industrial and farm equipment category were Illinois Tool Works, Caterpillar, ITT Industries and Black & Decker.