Divot Mix

"Swinging at daisies is like playing electric guitar with a tennis racket: if it were that easy, we could all be Jerry Garcia. The ball changes everything." -- Michael Bamberger

GIS final numbers are in

The Golf Industry Show, combining the trade shows of GCSAA and the National Golf Course Owners Association, wrapped up Feb. 12, and now the final tally of attendance is in.

"By any measure, the Golf Industry Show was a success," GCSAA CEO Steve Mona, CAE said. "That is due to the combined efforts of the host organizations, the industry partners, educators and numerous others critical to the event. The feedback thus far indicates a high level of satisfaction from those in attendance."

Overall, for the GCSAA Education Conference, NGCOA Solutions Summit and Golf Industry Show, attendance was 22,723, an improvement on last fall's projection of 21,000. As important as the overall figures are, the number of qualified buyers is even more significant for trade show exhibitors. The Golf Industry Show attracted 8,149 qualified buyers compared to approximately 6,200 last year in San Diego at the GCSAA Conference and Show.

A total of 826 exhibitors broke the record of 759 set in 2001 at Dallas. Exhibit space added up to 270,360 square feet, surpassing the projected final total of 255,000 square feet. Last year there were 684 exhibitors with 240,000 square feet of exhibit space.

The GCSAA Education Conference, which ran concurrently with the Golf Industry Show, drew strong interest with 7,329 seminar seats processed, marking the second highest total since 7,903 seats were sold in New Orleans in 2000.

For a complete wrap-up of the Golf Industry Show, visit the GCSAA news room.

USGA announces 57 grants

The United States Golf Association has announced 57 new grants totaling $1,662,305 to non-profit organizations across the country to support affordable and accessible golf programs and facilities.  These new awards for the first portion of 2005 will reach more than 50,000 kids and individuals with disabilities as part of the associaiton's effort to bring golf to non-traditional audiences who otherwise would not have the opportunity to play.

USGA funding has exceeded $45-million in its effort over the past eight years to support golf instruction, equipment, access and course construction costs, and to make golf more accessible and affordable.

“The USGA has been making grants for many years now and the success and need of these programs motivates us to keep at it,” said USGA President Fred Ridley.  “We are excited to continue our support for several large-scale national initiatives as well as leverage community support for grassroots start-up golf programs and projects on the local level.”   

 The Babe and George Zaharias Golf Foundation of Tampa, Fla., was awarded a $15,000 grant from the USGA for support of its program serving individuals with disabilities from Camp Florida, a Rotary International-owned facility, as well as abused and neglected children residing at the Children's Home of Tampa. 

In addition to supporting many local programs and projects, the USGA pledged its support of several national initiatives including, LPGA-USGA Girls' Golf, The National Alliance for Youth Sports' Hook A Kid on Golf Program and Kids On Course, a course access partnership with the National Golf Course Owner's Association.

Since 1997, the USGA grants initiative has focused on programming for economically disadvantaged kids and individuals with disabilities. The USGA Executive Committee has extended this grants initiative to the end of the decade, bringing total anticipated USGA support to $65 million to provide financial support and assistance to deserving golf programs.  Beyond its Grants Initiative, the USGA partners with national organizations to promote affordable and accessible facility development, course access, girls' golf, and initiatives for individuals with disabilities.

For more information on the USGA Grants Initiative, contact (719) 471-4810 or visit the Grants Section of the USGA Web site. For a complete list of the current grants, visit http://www.usga.org/news/2005/february/2005_07.html.

EPA nomination supported

Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment has announced its support for Stephen Johnson who was nominated by the White House to be the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

"Over the years, we at RISE have found Steve Johnson to be a fair regulator who takes into consideration comments from all organizations, NGOs as well as industry, when making a decision," Allen James, president of RISE said. "We believe he makes balanced and responsible decisions for our industry.

"RISE looks forward to working with Steve on issues such as ESA counterpart regulations, pesticide rule-making, and maintaining FIFRA as the federal pesticide standard," James said.

According to the White House, Johnson would be the first professional scientist to lead the EPA. During his 24-year career with the agency, he has advanced through many management positions to his most recent position of Deputy Administrator of the EPA.

RISE is the national association representing the manufacturers, formulators, distributors and other industry leaders involved with pesticide products used in turf, ornamental, pest control, aquatic and terrestrial vegetation and other non-food/fiber applications. Contact http://www.pestfacts.org.