Divot Mix

"The less said about the putter the better. Here is an instrument of torture, designed by Tantalus and forged in the devil's own smithy." -- Tony Lema, 1964 British Open champion

Rounds played dip in third quarter

After posting increases in the preceding three quarters, the number of golf rounds played dipped slightly in the third quarter of 2004. The trend is still up for the year, as reported by the National Golf Foundation and the National Golf Course Owners Association.

Rounds had been up 2.5 percent through the first two quarters of 2004, but a third quarter decrease of 0.9 percent lowered year to date results to +1.3 percent. Decreases in July (-3.5 percent) and August (-1.6 percent) were offset somewhat by a September rebound of +3.4 percent.

Coinciding with the national increase in rounds played, golf facility revenues have increased 2.7 percent year-to-date, while revenue per round at public golf courses is up slightly less than one percent.

The Mid-Atlantic region posted the strongest gains in rounds so far this year, up nearly 12 percent in 2004 as compared to rain-soaked 2003. Central/South Florida have hung on to a two percent gain for the year, even with rounds down 20 percent in August and 30 percent in September due to a fearsome hurricane season.

“Four hurricanes and about 30 inches of rain here in Palm Beach County alone have certainly created trying times for golf courses in Florida this year,” said Joe Beditz, president and CEO of NGF. “The only saving grace is that the hurricane season comes during our off-season for golf here in South Florida.”

“As the economy strengthens, so has spending in golf,” adds Mike Hughes, executive director of NGCOA. “This is especially encouraging in light of the extraordinary weather events affecting the Southeast and the Atlantic coast.”

The report is based on operating results reported by over 1,100 golf facilities across the U.S. The quarterly reports are supported and endorsed by GOLF 20/20 and other leading industry associations. For the full third quarter report, visit www.ngf.org or http://www.ngcoa.org.

The EIFG adds to advisory council

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem , chairman of Nakheel, has agreed to serve on The Environmental Institute for Golf advisory council. He will join nine other members to comprise the 10-person advisory council headed by Greg Norman.

Nakheel, one of the world's premier property developers and the promoter of Dubai's most prominent real estate projects, has launched a division dedicated to the development of golf in Dubai. Nakheel Golf, with Norman, has begun the development and design of four golf courses in Dubai focused on environmentally sound principles and practices.

"I am delighted and honored to serve on the advisory council for The Environmental Institute for Golf," Sultan bin Sulayem said. "I completely agree with Greg's point that the environment and its relationship to golf is the most important issue facing the game's global development today. I too share the same passion for the game and wish to continue to drive environmental advocacy in the UAE. As the future of Dubai continues to develop at a rapid pace, I am confident that this group of esteemed council members will provide invaluable direction in meeting our environmental golfing requirements for the future."

The purpose of the advisory council is to provide guidance to The Institute's board of trustees in the areas of outreach, fundraising and strategic planning. The members were selected to the advisory council to enhance The Institute's ability to cultivate relationships with current and potential donors, as well as communicate the importance of the work conducted by The Institute.

The other members include: Tom Crow, founder of Cobra Golf and a retired trustee for The Institute; Dana Garmany, chairman and CEO of Troon Golf; R.D. Hubbard, owner of Bighorn Golf Club in Palm Desert, Calif.; Paul C. Kanavos, chairman and CEO of Flag Luxury Properties, LLC; Vernon A. Kelly Jr., president of PGA Tour Golf Course Properties; Owen G. Larkin, president of the Vineyard Golf Club in Edgartown, Mass., Jamie Ortiz-Patiño, owner of Valderrama Golf Club in Sotogrande, Spain; H. Thomas Webb III, senior vice president of residential development for Crescent Resources; and Frank Weed, COO of Medallist Developments.

"It gives me great pleasure to invite Sultan bin Sulayem on board with us - as a representative of the United Arab Emirates, and also, for his personal commitment, amazing foresight and visionary approach to developing this sport in one of the world's emerging markets," said Norman, chairman of the advisory council and CEO of Great White Shark Enterprises and an Institute trustee.

The goal was to have 10 advisory council members by the end of the year and increase that number to 30 by the end of 2006. The advisory council will hold its first meeting Nov. 16 at The Medalist Golf Club in Hobe Sound, Fla.

Frank Thomas looking for golfer input

Frank Thomas, founder of Frankly Consulting and perhaps best known as the former technical director for the USGA, is asking golfers to participate in a nationwide on-line survey designed to grow the game.

The Little Family Foundation, at the direction of its trustees, Arthur D. Little and Jann Leeming, has commissioned Frankly to conduct a study to gather information which will help golf course architects, golf course owners and golf officials to design and set up courses in ways which will satisfy and appropriately challenge players of all abilities.

Golfers can access the online survey via http://www.franklygolf.com/ or on the University of North Carolina's site at http://ire.uncg.edu/surveys/gcourse.asp .

Thomas said, “I believe, based on initial pilot study results, that this project has enormous significance for the game of golf and will potentially revitalize growth in every facet of the industry. The Little Family Foundation should be applauded for their foresight and this altruistic initiative to support the game.”

The survey takes less than 10 minutes to complete and will be available through November 15. Results of the survey will be available to the entire golfing community and also posted on the Frankly Web site.