Divot Mix

"If you build a monument to yourself as an architect, you're making a big mistake." -- Rees Jones, golf course architect, 2004 GCSAA Old Tom Morris award winner.

Golf Hall to unveil Palmer exhibit

The World Golf Hall of Fame has unveiled Arnold Palmer: For the Love of the Game featuring more than 500 artifacts and photos-many on display for the first time. The exhibit will remain open through April 15, 2005.

"In going through the process of developing this exhibit, we found more fascinating stories and artifacts than we ever anticipated," said Jack Peter, COO of the Hall. "This exhibit will provide a very unique and personal glimpse into the life of one of golf's greatest legends."

"Young Palmer" will take visitors through stories, photos and memorabilia from his days growing up in Latrobe, Pa., learning golf from his father, Deacon, working at Latrobe County Club and eventually attending Wake Forest College on a golf scholarship.

"Celebrating 50 Years in Golf" will detail the Palmer's professional career and will display the medals that represent his professional victories around the globe. His U.S. Open trophy and Claret Jug will be on display, along with his commemorative Masters clubhouse trophy.

The "What's in a Name" area will look at the range of endorsement and licensing deals-more than 100 in over 30 countries-in which Palmer has been involved. Included in the display will be many print ads and TV commercials, including his father's old tractor he rode in Pennzoil commercials in the 70s and 80s.

Palmer's interests beyond golf will be featured in "The Man You May Not Know" area of the exhibit.

"King of Hearts" area will showcase Palmer's philanthropic efforts.

The World Golf Hall of Fame is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays. It is located at World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Fla., exit 323 off Interstate 95. For more information about the Arnold Palmer exhibit, call 904-940-4123 or visit http://www.worldgolfhalloffame.org.

GCSAA champions invited to prestigious events

The Trans-Mississippi Golf Association has invited GCSAA golf champions of the past five years to compete in its Trans-Mississippi Golf Championship, July 18-24, 2005, at Prairie Dunes Country Club in Hutchinson, Kan.

The invitations will be awarded annually, with the newly crowned GCSAA champion becoming eligible and a past champion rotating off the list.

For the 11th consecutive year, The Toro Co. is partnering with GCSAA to present the 2005 GCSAA Golf Championship, Feb. 6-8, in conjunction with the GCSAA Educational Conference and Golf Industry Show.

For information on registering for the 2005 GCSAA Golf Championship, click here.

“The directors of the Trans-Miss are delighted to extend this invitation to GCSAA national champions,” said TMGA executive director Kim Richey. “We have a long-standing and important mission to help educate the golf course superintendents of the future. It makes great sense to have as part of the Trans-Miss field some superintendents that have kept their golf skills honed to a high level while performing an important and difficult job. We hope they can all join in the competition.”

Organized in 1900, the 103-year old TMGA annually conducts two golf championships, a golf championship in the summer and a four-ball championship in the fall. Past champions of the golf championship include, Jack Nicklaus, Deane Beman, Ben Crenshaw and Bob Tway. Players must be at least 25 years old, a member of a Trans-Miss member club (unless invited) and have a handicap no greater than 5.4. Seniors must be at least 55 years old.

The TMGA mission is to fund college scholarships for future golf course superintendents, giving approximately $50,000 annually to universities throughout the United States.  Those funds are derived from the financial support of the association's board of directors and its member clubs and the proceeds of the two golf championships.  Donations from individuals and businesses are also sources of support.

“It is truly an honor to have the GCSAA golf champions, past and present, receive an invitation to participate in this annual event,” said GCSAA CEO Steve Mona, CAE. “I look forward to a long lasting relationship between GCSAA and the Trans-Miss.”

In addition, the GCSAA champion and runner-up were invited to participate in the prestigious Baltusrol Invitational, Oct. 8-9, 2004, in Springfield, N.J. The 2004 champion, Tom Robinson, golf course superintendent at Ravinia Green Country Club in Riverwoods, Ill., and runner-up Alan Pondel, CGCS at Rockford (Ill.) Country Club, to tie for 16th place in the 48 team, four-ball competition.

2005 National Wetlands Awards nominations sought

The Environmental Law Institute is seeking nominations for the 2005 National Wetlands Awards. The deadline for submitting nominations is Dec. 15, 2004.

The Washington, D.C.-based institute has presented the awards since 1989 to recognize individuals from across the country who have demonstrated extraordinary effort, innovation, and excellence at the regional, state, or local level.

The program recognizes six categories: Education and Outreach; Science Research; Conservation and Restoration; Landowner Stewardship; State, Tribal and Local Program Development and Wetland Community Leader.

Organizations and federal employees are not eligible.

A committee of wetland experts representing federal and state agencies, academia, conservation groups, and private sector organizations selects the award winners. Awardees will be recognized at a Capitol Hill ceremony in May 2005.

National Wetlands awardees are individuals making a positive contribution to their communities. Their efforts serve to educate the public about the value of wetlands, the programs that are available to protect and restore wetlands, and the value of cooperation.

For a copy of the 2005 National Wetlands Awards nomination form, visit http://www.eli.org/nwa/nwaprogram.htm and download the form. For more information contact Katie Wells (202) 939-3810, wetlandsawards@eli.org.

U.S. Open practice round tickets still available

Weekly tickets for the 2005 U.S. Open golf championship, June 13-19 at Pinehurst Resort and Country Club in Pinehurst, N.C., are sold out.  However, a limited number of daily practice round tickets for Monday and Tuesday, June 13-14, are available at $35 each.

Practice round tickets can be purchased online at www.usga.org/championships .  Class AA, Class A, A-Retired, Superintendent and Superintendent-Retired GCSAA members and their spouses are eligible for complimentary grounds admission to USGA Championships. For details visit http://www.gcsaa.org/mc/benefits/tourna.asp .

This is the 19th consecutive year the U.S. Open has been a sellout, beginning with the 1987 Open at The Olympic Club in San Francisco. Pinehurst Resort's No. 2 course will be hosting the U.S. Open for the second time. The late Payne Stewart won in 1999.