Divot Mix

"It must be remembered that the great majority of golfers are aiming to reduce their previous best performance by five strokes if possible, and if any of them arrive at the home teeing ground with this possibility in reach, he is not caring too much whether he is driving off from a nearby ancient oak of majestic size, or from a dead sassafras. If his round ends happily, this is one beautiful course. Such is human nature." -- A.W. Tillinghast

GCSAA donates to national relief efforts

GCSAA has made donations to those affected by the devastating storms in Florida this past fall and the tsunami in Southeast Asia late last year.

The association directed $5,000 to the Florida Hurricane Relief Fund established by Governor Jeb Bush to assist communities in rebuilding. This particular relief fund provides assistance for needs unmet by other disaster relief organizations. For more information, visit www.flahurricanefund.org.

The association also contributed $10,000 to the U.S. Golf Tsunami Relief Fund, a collaborative effort of the major golf associations to address the needs of the regions affected by the natural disaster. GCSAA joined the PGA Tour, the Masters Tournament, the United States Golf Association, The PGA of America, the LPGA, Tournament Players Clubs, individual players, the Tour Wives Association and other golf organizations in participating. For more on the U.S. Golf Tsunami Relief Fund, visit www.pgatour.com/info/company/story/8085942.

"Over the years GCSAA has contributed to various disaster relief programs because we believe it is only appropriate to help those in need,” GCSAA CEO Steve Mona said. “The donations come in addition to the individual efforts many of our members have made. Superintendents are well aware of the powerful force Mother Nature can unleash and thus have great concern for those who have been affected.”

Three aces, that's incredible!

A hole in one is one of the rarest feats in golf, so it's remarkable when two golfers in a single group each make holes in one during the same round.

Imagine the reception Bob Fleming, Marc Arcuri and Dan Condie got when they made three consecutive aces on the 15th hole at Antelope Greens in Sacramento, Calif.

Fortunately, they had a witness, who didn't make a hole in one. The fact that they are all low handicappers helps their cause as well. At Antelope Greens, they have 14 chances to make ace, as the course is 3,100 yards long, and par 58.

Still, the feat was amazing enough to warrant a call from the "Today" show.

For a story on the feat by Sacramento Bee staff writer Steve Pajak, visit: The Sacramento Bee (Free registration required)

Customized golf cars gaining popularity

From streetrods with a V-8 (a can of V-8) under the hood, to Lamborghinis and Hummers, to pastel paint jobs, customized golf cars are making a big splash these days, especially in communities where electric vehicles are the preferred form of transportation.

This latest craze has gotten the attention of the New York Times, which has published an article on custom golf cars by reporter Teresa Burney. According to Burney, the upgraded rides can cost up to $20,000, and options are limited only by the owner's imaginations. For the rest of the story visit the New York Times. (Free registration required.)

Play Golf America gets awards

Play Golf America, the campaign initiated by the PGA of America and supported by many golf industry organizations and companies, including GCSAA, has earned five Communicator Awards.

The Communicator Awards is an international award competition based in Arlington, Texas, that recognizes outstanding achievement in the communications field. Entries are judged by industry professionals who look for companies and individuals whose talent exceeds a high standard of excellence and whose work serves as a benchmark for the industry.

The awards are given in three levels -- Crystal Award of Excellence, Award of Distinction and Honorable Mention.

Play Golf America's Publicity/Television Placement, Newspaper Placement and Marketing/Promotion campaign each received Crystal Awards of Excellence.

The 2004 Play Golf America Annual Report and the www.playgolfamerica.com Web site each earned an Award of Distinction.

USGA adopts new gender policy

The USGA Executive Committee has adopted a gender policy that will become part of the "Conditions of Competition" for USGA Championships. 

Under the new policy, transgender athletes will be eligible to compete two years after having gender reassignment surgery, subject to certain proof of gender guidelines.  The USGA will appoint a medical committee to advise the Association in developing these guidelines and implementing the new policy.

The new policy was adopted following a detailed review of current medical literature on the subject, interviews with knowledgeable experts, and communications with other sports governing bodies, including the International Olympic Committee and the Ladies Golf Union of Great Britain.  Both the IOC and the LGU recently adopted policies allowing female athletes who have undergone gender reassignment to compete in their women's competitions.