Industry News

"A great deal of unnecessarily bad golf is played in this world" --Harry Vardon, 1922

Hurricane season forecast offered

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasters say they expect an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season for 2004, but that the central Pacific should have a near average year.

The forecast calls for 12 to 15 tropical storms, in the Atlantic, six to eight of which are expected to become hurricanes, and two to four of those major hurricanes.

Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency officials joined NOAA in urging Gulf and Atlantic Coast states to be prepared for an active season, which runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. NOAA is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

“The forecast is the result of thousands of hours of work by NOAA and its partners,” said Conrad C. Lautenbacher, NOAA administrator. “NOAA investments in high speed computers, improved weather modeling and extensive Earth observation systems enable our scientists and forecasters to gather and synthesize information and begin the process of preparing the public to take action.”

“NOAA's 2004 Atlantic hurricane season outlook indicates a 50 percent probability of an above-normal season, a 40 percent probability of a near-normal season and only a 10 percent chance of a below-normal season,” said David L. Johnson, National Weather Service director. Similar seasons averaged two to three landfalling hurricanes in the continental United States, and one to two hurricanes in the region around the Caribbean Sea.

May 16-22 is National Hurricane Preparedness Week.

Michael Brown, undersecretary for Homeland Security, added, “Last year three tropical storms and three hurricanes affected the United States. Hurricane Isabel caused 17 deaths and more than $3 billion in damages. We cannot stop these storms, but we can take steps to limit our vulnerability. Awareness and preparedness for hurricanes, and even tropical storms, and knowing what to do to mitigate their devastating effects, are our best defense.”

In the central Pacific, NOAA forecasters are predicting four to five tropical cyclones, which is typical for that area. The central Pacific hurricane season also runs from June 1 to Nov. 30.

“Many factors must be considered when making the seasonal hurricane outlook, including the status of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in the Pacific,” said Jim Weyman, director of NOAA's Central Pacific Hurricane Center. “Data from NOAA's Climate Prediction Center indicates that ENSO-neutral conditions can be expected through July. By way of contrast, in an El Niño season, there is an increased risk for tropical cyclone development in the Pacific Basin.”

This year, meteorologists are using a new technologically advanced tool to improve the accuracy of wind, rainfall and surf forecasts during tropical cyclones. Called Interactive Forecast Preparation System/Graphical Editor, this system can produce forecasts at a much higher resolution than in the past, with user-friendly graphical and text products for public, aviation and marine communities.

“We tested IFPS/GFE during the recent hurricane exercise, Makani Pahili ,” said CPHC warning coordination meteorologist Nezette Rydell. “Forecasters gained valuable experience and proved they were able to accurately depict graphically an approaching hurricane.”

For more on hurricane awareness visit http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/hurricane/index.shtml.

USGA awards $1.7 million in grants

The United States Golf Association has announced 88 new grants totaling $1.7 million to non-profit organizations across the country to support accessible and affordable golf and assist innovative tutoring, mentoring and personal development programs.  More than 78,000 children and individuals with disabilities are expected to benefit from this latest round of funding.

The funding is part of the organization's $65 million grants initiative and will support golf instruction, course construction and help make golf more accessible and affordable. Although learning the game is the cornerstone of programming, many grant recipients provide participants with additional unique opportunities, from reading tutors in Denver to delivering Thanksgiving meals to needy families in Portland.  Other programs provide counseling and mentoring services in economically challenged areas, such as the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Browning, Mont., and Southside Chicago, Ill.

"The USGA is proud to support programs dedicated to using golf as a vehicle to develop well-rounded individuals," said USGA President Fred Ridley.  "Not everyone that picks up a club is going to make a living as a professional golfer.  It is important that through USGA grant making we support programs that help young players grow into complete people and capitalize on life's many opportunities." 

The First Tee of Denver, awarded a three-year, $65,000 grant, is one example of an organization combining golf instruction with academic and personal development opportunities.  Approximately 900 youths participate in The First Tee's club-making classes and its Read-N-Swing program, where students spend 30 minutes reading to an instructor and are then rewarded with learning to play golf.

Columbine fifth-grader Frankie Tafoya is one active participant in the Read-N-Swing program.  When the 10-year-old joined the program he read at the third-grade level.  Today, he reads at the fifth-grade level.  He is currently reading Show Me Freedom , a book about the Civil War and practicing his golf game daily. 

A sampling of other innovative programs and projects that received recent USGA grant awards across the country includes:

The Zion Community Center, Philadelphia, Pa., will receive a three-year, $49,000 grant to benefit approximately 60 youths involved in golf and academic programs.  ZCC operates two after-school programs - a general tutoring session called STARS and a more advanced course called the Entrepreneurial Program.  They also plan to start an SAT preparation course.  

Leisure Hour Junior Golf Program, Portland, Ore., will receive a two-year, $26,000 grant to benefit 65 youths involved in a year-round golf and community service program.  In addition to golf instruction and on-course playing opportunities, participants assist needy families through a variety of community service projects including delivering food at Thanksgiving and donating clothes, food, gifts and golf clubs at Christmas. 

New Hope Community Service Center, Chicago, Ill., will get $25,000 to support the growth of the Southside Area Youth Golf Program, a component of the New Hope Community Service Center's Youth Enhancement Services. Summer and year-round golf programs are offered with the goal of providing positive behavior choices for 75 south-suburban youths.

Boys and Girls Club of Blackfeet Tribe, Browning, Mont., will receive $19,000 to implement a year-round junior golf program for 100 youths on the Blackfeet Indian reservation.  The program will meet five days a week for 12 weeks during the summer and three days a month during the winter.  USGA funds will be used for instruction, transportation, golf equipment and continued access at East Glacier Golf Course. The reservation is an impoverished community that accounts for 92 percent of welfare recipients in Glacier County, with a median household income of $14,779.  The reservation itself spans 1.5 million acres and has a total population of 8,600. 

For more on USGA grants, visit http://www.usga.org/aboutus/foundation/foundation.asp . A complete list of grants awarded is available online at http://www.usga.org/news/2004/May/2004_41.asp

Deere ranks high in corporate citizenship

Deere & Co. ranks sixth in the annual listing of the "100 Best Corporate Citizens" for 2004, by Business Ethics magazine. The ranking is Deere's highest ever on the 100 Best Corporate Citizens list, which is compiled after a review of the 1,000 largest publicly traded companies in the U.S.

"This high ranking reflects important long-standing values at John Deere that have inspired generations of employees," said Robert  W. Lane, Deere & Co. chairman and chief executive officer. "It is noteworthy to be listed among the Top 10 Best Corporate Citizens at the same time that John Deere employees are working so effectively to build a great business."

In an interview to be published in the spring issue of Business Ethics, Lane said, "At John Deere, we like to say 'no smoke, no mirrors, no tricks; just right down the middle of the field. That's John Deere.'"

Deere has steadily improved its position on the Top 100 list each year and in 2004, the company made its biggest improvement yet, moving up from 47 a year ago.

The analysis credited Deere with significant gains from last year when compared to other companies in three areas: return to stockholders (72nd to 40th), community (97th to 29th) and minorities and women (55th to 23rd). Deere also sustained the company's already high marks for service to employees, non-U.S. stakeholders, the environment and customers.

According to the magazine, the 100 Best Corporate Citizens ranking is based on quantitative measures of corporate service to seven groups -- stockholders, community, minorities and women, employees, the environment, non-U.S. stakeholders and customers.

Golf Course Management receives eight awards

Golf Course Management , GCSAA's monthly magazine, was honored May 2 with eight awards for its design, photography and writing by the Turf and Ornamental Communicators Association at its annual meeting, held this year in Seattle.

The magazine swept three award categories, winning both the first-place and merit awards in each, including the prestigious "Overall Magazine Design" award for GCM's design team of Art/Production Manager Roger Billings, Designer Becky Drager and Prepress/Production Specialist Kelly Neis.

In addition to the “Overall Magazine Design” sweep, the magazine won first place in the “Best Photograph: Printed Magazines/Editorial Purposes” category for "Sublime Signature" from its January issue, while "Michigan Tradition," from March, captured the merit award.

June's issue took first place for “Best Photograph: Print Magazine Cover,” with the November issue taking the merit award.

The magazine's Terry Ostmeyer won a merit award in the “Writing for Commercial Publications: Product Information Article” category for his article, "Nature's Elixir or Witch's Brew?" from the September issue, and free-lance writer Mark Leslie brought home a merit award in the “Writing for Commercial Publications: Environmental Stewardship Article” category for January's "Sublime Signature."

Also at the Seattle meeting, GCM Editor in Chief Ed Hiscock was elected to TOCA's board of directors.