Divot Mix

"Golf is not a fair game, so why build a course fair?" --Pete Dye, architect of the TPC at Sawgrass

USGA Museum named to honor Arnold Palmer

The United States Golf Association is renovating and expanding its museum and archives to feature a new golf history center named in honor of three-time USGA champion Arnold Palmer. Palmer has also has served as the national chairman of the association's members program since its inception in 1975.

Scheduled to open in 2008, the "Arnold Palmer Center for Golf History" will be a 22,000-square-foot addition to the existing museum building. It will house championship collections and showcase the 13 national championship trophies.

The current museum building will close for renovations at the end of March 2005 with groundbreaking on the Palmer Center set for the fall of 2006. The total cost of the project is budgeted at more than $16 million.

"I am thrilled to be forever associated with the USGA, an organization I have held dear for nearly all of my life," said Palmer, who was the first to win a U.S. Amateur, U.S. Open and a U.S. Senior Open. "I am honored and humbled, and I feel like I've just won the U.S. Open again."

"I can't think of a more fitting tribute to the man who has meant so much to the game of golf," said Fred Ridley, USGA president. "His play, conduct and influence have reflected the positive aspects of this game for a generation. He has done it all with a gracious manner that has made him the game's most eloquent diplomat. We want Arnold Palmer to know that this organization and its more than 700,000 Members nationwide will always be Arnie's Army."

Palmer won the U.S. Amateur in 1954, the U.S. Open in 1960 and the U.S. Senior Open in 1981. But it was his first USGA title that Palmer has maintained was the "most important win of my career. It gave me the confidence to go on and become a professional golfer."

For more on the project, from an interview with Palmer and Ridley, visit http://www.usga.org/news/2005/March/palmer_ridley.html.

The price of living on a golf course?

Everyone knows that in real estate, location is everything, which is why houses on golf courses command premium prices.

But in the world of golf course properties, there are premium locations… and then there's Pebble Beach.

Which only means that Far Niente, currently for sale at $27 million, may actually be a bargain. After all, where else would your backyard patio include the 18th fairway at Pebble Beach and the Pacific Ocean? For more, visit http://www.mitchellgroup.com/Listings/index.cfm?Fuseaction=Detail&ID=1069.

Arredondo to step down at GCSAA

GCSAA Chief Executive Officer Steve Mona, CAE, has announced that Julian Arredondo, CAE, is stepping down as the association's chief operating officer effective March 31 .

Arredondo, joined GCSAA as its chief financial officer in December 1993, and became chief operating officer in March 2003.

“It is a bittersweet day for me,” Mona said. “Julian and I came to GCSAA at the same time. He played an integral role in strengthening the association and positioning it as a leading golf organization. However, I also know this is also an opportunity for him to pursue his professional goals. His contributions are greatly appreciated and he will be missed.”

Mona indicated that as is the association's practice prior to filling such a senior position, he would conduct an evaluation of the association's current senior leadership structure. Mona did not set a timeline for the evaluation but said he wanted to act in a timely manner, based on what he considers best to continue the organization's momentum.

During his 11-year tenure, Arredondo oversaw numerous GCSAA member program and service areas, the Environmental Institute for Golf, corporate marketing and sales, the annual conference and trade show, finance and technology, as well as organizational planning and various strategic initiatives.

“My time at GCSAA has been wonderful, challenging and rewarding,” Arredondo said. “I will miss this tremendously talented staff, our committed members and the many other associates and friends that I have come to know over the years. It has been my pleasure to serve them all. At the same time, this move is consistent with my previous career choices. I have served two, seven-year stints in two different industries preceding my 11 years at GCSAA, and look forward to exploring what might lie ahead.”

Palmer driver auctioned for charity

Last week, Arnold Palmer sat out of his Bay Hill Invitational tournament for the first time since it began, but he did hit one golf shot, and it's turning out to be a valuable one for the Arnold Palmer Children's Hospital.

Palmer hit a ceremonial drive with a replica of a 1938 persimmon driver, to commemorate the PGA Tour's first donation to charity that year. Palmer's autograph in black Sharpie graces the club head.

This hand-built club was autographed by Palmer just after he hit the ceremonial drive, as part of the Drive to a Billion campaign in charitable donations by the tour and it tournaments.

The club is being auctioned on eBay with net proceeds from the sale benefiting the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and Women in Orlando. It is one of six hospitals in the nation dedicated to providing the most technologically advanced treatment in a warm, caring and compassionate environment designed specifically for women and children.

The auction is open until Mar. 28 at http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5176537102.