Divot Mix

"The advent of the rubber ball was instrumental in creating an entirely different method of striking the object. The solid ball required to be hit for carry, whereas it was quickly apparent that the Haskell lent itself to an enormous run. I hold the firm opinion that from this date the essential attitude towards accuracy was completely lost sight of. This was the start of the craze for length and still more length." -- Harry Vardon, 1933

Club Car presents Ryder Cup captain's cars

Ryder Cup captains Tom Lehman and Ian Woosnam got their first look at vital supporting members of their 2006 teams recently when Club Car President and CEO Phil Tralies presented the captains with specially designed golf cars for the 36th Ryder Cup Matches.

"Club Car is delighted once again to be part of the tradition and excitement of the Ryder Cup,” said Tralies, who presented the golf cars to Lehman, captain of the U.S. team, and Woosnam, captain of the European team, during a ceremony at The K Club outside Dublin, Ireland.

The cars are four-passenger Precedent models that feature the U.S. and European flags on the front cowl and front seat back and the Ryder Cup logo on the side panels.

This is the fifth straight Ryder Cup for which Club Car has supplied cars for the team captains. In addition, Club Car also will provide more than 250 other vehicles to support maintenance and television crews and medical personnel during the matches.

In past matches the red U.S. and blue European captains cars have allowed the captains to maneuver their way around the golf course, keeping track of the action and encouraging their players.

Contact http://www.clubcar.com.

GCSAA board candidates selected for 2006

The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America has ratified the official slate of candidates for its 2006 elections. Voting members will elect three officers and two directors at the 2006 Annual Meeting, Friday, Feb. 10, held in conjunction with the 2006 GCSAA Education Conference and Golf Industry Show, Feb. 6-11, at the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.

The candidate for president is Sean A. Hoolehan, CGCS at Wildhorse Resort and Casino in Pendleton, Ore.

For vice president the candidate is Ricky D. Heine, CGCS, general manager and director of grounds at The Golf Club Star Ranch in Austin, Texas

For secretary/treasurer:

• David S. Downing II, CGCS, director of golf operations at The Pearl Golf Links and Ocean Isle Beach Golf Course in Sunset Beach, N.C.
• Mark D. Kuhns, CGCS, director of grounds at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, N.J.

For director :

• Gregg A. Blew, CGCS at Wellshire Golf Club in Denver, Colo.
• Gary K. Carls, CGCS, golf operations supervisor at Sunnyvale/Sunken Gardens Golf Course, Sunnyvale, Calif.
• Patrick R. Finlen, CGCS, director of golf maintenance operations at The Olympic Club, San Francisco, Calif.
• John C. Miller, CGCS at The Golf Club at Yankee Trace, Centerville, Ohio
• Sanford G. Queen, CGCS, manager of golf course operations at Overland Park (Kan.) Golf Club

Mark J. Woodward, CGCS, golf operations manager for the City of San Diego, is retiring from the board of directors after serving the last year as immediate past president. Timothy T. O'Neill, CGCS at the Country Club of Darien (Conn.), will serve on the board for one year as immediate past president. James R. Fitzroy, CGCS, director/superintendent at Wollaston Recreational Facility/Presidents Golf Club in North Quincy, Mass., and Robert M. Randquist, CGCS, director of golf course and grounds at Boca Rio Golf Club in Boca Raton, Fla., each have one year remaining on their two-year director terms.

Hetrick leaves GCBAA

Lee Hetrick, executive director of the Golf Course Builders Association of America, announced his departure from the association last week, at the end of its summer meeting in New Jersey.

Hetrick resigned effective Friday, August 19, and will serve as a consultant to the GCBAA Executive Committee until the end of the year. He has been the association's executive director for six years and has been instrumental in the growth and stability of the organization.

Hetrick said the association has been an essential part of his professional career, but it was time to look at other challenging opportunities. During his tenure, the association membership has grown by 30 percent, the financial stability of the association has never been stronger and Hetrick has developed strong relationships with golf's other allied associations.

Tom Sasser, president of GCBAA, said Hetrick would be missed, but knew that he would be an asset to any company or association.

OSHA says publications are "Free for Asking"

The Occupational Safety and Health Adminstration says that it has had questions from employers who have received official looking announcements and—in some cases—threatening notices saying that they must purchase OSHA documents from them in order to remain in compliance with rules and regulations. The most popular document being offered for sale is the OSHA Workplace Poster (also available in Spanish).

In response, the agency says its publications and posters are available free of charge, and is concerned that employers could become victim of fraudulent solicitation practices or incur unnecessary costs for these items.

To get any of OSHA's free publications or posters visit the publications page at http://www.osha.gov/pls/publications/pubindex.list . The publications, posters, fact sheets, etc., can be ordered through the publications office or, in most cases, downloaded directly from the Web site.

Employers are required to continually display a poster prepared by the Department of Labor that informs employees of protections afforded under the Occupational Safety and Health Act. The poster must be displayed in a conspicuous place where employees, as well as applicants for employment, can view it. Private employers may use the poster available from OSHA's Web site, or a suitable reproduction or facsimile.

Employers in states operating OSHA-approved state plans should obtain and post the state's equivalent poster. (See the State Programs link on OSHA's webpage for a list of these states and contact information.)

Anyone who has received a fraudulent solicitation, should contact the agency at (800) 321-OSHA (6742). OSHA area office can provide information on specific workplace safety and health requirements. Addresses and phone numbers are available at http://www.osha.gov/html/RAmap.html.