Divot Mix

"There is no shape nor size of body, no awkwardness nor ungainliness, which puts good golf beyond reach. There are good golfers with spectacles, with one eye, with one leg, even with one arm. In golf, while there is life there is hope." -- Sir Walter Simpson, The Art of Golf

Long Drive specialists take it "to the masses"

It's obvious that not everyone who picks up a golf club is destined to be competitive in long driving competitions. Now the operators of the Long Drivers of America and long drive sponsor Pinnacle golf balls have launched a competitive series where the emphasis isn't solely on hitting one shot 300-plus yards.

The new Pinnacle Exceptional Drive Championship combines accuracy with length and every drive counts for points. Art Sellinger, founder of the LDA, says of the competition, "This is not a long drive contest at all. It's an everyman's contest. Distance is only one part of the event."

There'll be 128 qualifying events, with the winner of each earning a spot in the national finals to be held in the fall. At each event competitors will pay an entry fee to hit into a grid. Each drive will earn points based on length and accuracy, with the winner being the player who accumulates the most points.

More on the event is available at http://www.longdrivers.com.

Mow for Victory tour underway

Hustler Turf Equipment is driving one of its Super Z lawnmowers, painted to resemble Richard Petty's #43 Dodge, across America to raise money for the Victory Junction Gang Camp. The “Mow for Victory Tour” began Feb. 27 in Ontario, Calif., and will end May 28 at the camp in Randleman, N.C.

“I've done a lot of driving in my time,” said Richard Petty, winner of 200 NASCAR races, “But I wouldn't even try driving a lawnmower across America!”

The tour will cover 4000 miles through California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina, traveling from Hustler dealership to Hustler dealership.

Sponsors in and out of the green industry include: Kohler Engines, Hydro-Gear, Aluma Trailers, Turf Magazine, ACI Motorfreight, GT Sales and Manufacturing, Printing, Inc., US Bank, StarCom and Print Source.

Victory Junction Gang Camp in Randleman, N.C., is a year-round, racing-themed camp, for children ages 7 to 15 who have chronic or life-threatening illnesses, and who might not otherwise be able to go to summer camp.

Children attend free of charge as the camp is entirely funded by contributions. NASCAR driver Kyle Petty and his wife, Pattie, launched the camp in 2000 in honor of their son, Adam. It is part of the network of Hole-in-the-Wall-Gang camps founded by Paul Newman in 1988.

"Building of the Green" documented on video

Without a doubt, the "Building of the Green" solution center at the 2005 Golf Industry Show was a must see.

Those who weren't on hand to see the green take shape in person will now have the opportunity to experience the process through video. Working with EPIC Creative Communications, GCSAA will provide footage of the design, construction, sodding and maintenance of the green via the spring 2005 edition of EPIC's Superintendent's Video Magazine. This segment will also include interviews from key individuals involved in the project, as well as demonstrations and presentations that took place at the green.

The DVD will be shipped to EPIC's mailing list of 15,000 superintendents, builders, architects and other golf course management industry professionals in Mid-April. Those not on EPIC's list or those who do not receive the DVD can contact Chris Gray, EPIC Marketing Manager at cgray@epicwi.com or phone 262-338-3700. For an online slide show of the project, visit The Building of the Green.