Divot Mix

"I read the greens in Spanish, but putt in English."
-- Chi Chi Rodriguez (on his putting problems)

Golf Industry Show and GCSAA Education Conference moves to Atlanta

After determining that Houston, Texas would be unable to deliver previously agreed upon services, GCSAA and NGCOA have moved the Golf Industry Show and their respective education conferences to Atlanta in February 2006.

Although the events were to be held in New Orleans, the associations were forced to look for a new site after Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast. On Sept. 7, officials announced that Houston would be the new site, but it turned out the convention center there would not be available as had been communicated.

The show and conferences are now set for Atlanta, which was one of the cities examined for the original relocation. Atlanta last hosted the GCSAA International Golf Course Conference and Show in 2003.

The dates for the 2006 conferences and show will remain the same as were originally planned: the GCSAA Education Conference (Feb. 6-11), the NGCOA Solutions Summit (Feb. 7-10) and the Golf Industry Show (Feb. 9-11).

GCSAA CEO Steve Mona and NGCOA CEO Mike Hughes said they are confident Atlanta will provide a successful venue.

“Our experience in Atlanta in 2003 was beyond expectations,” Mona added. “The city was revitalized with the 1996 Summer Olympics, something noticed by attendees who had not been there in quite some time. The convention center and hotels will be convenient locations for education, networking and exposition activities. Unlike Houston, there are no other events that will conflict with our ability to conduct the conferences and trade show.”

Despite the latest relocation, conference and show registration will open Nov. 1 as planned.

The status of the GCSAA Golf Championship, which was originally scheduled to be held in Houston, is being examined. Relocation of the conference and show to Atlanta has created logistical issues that are being reviewed. A final resolution is expected within days.

For updates on the situation in the Gulf Coast, as well as the status of the Golf Industry Show, GCSAA Education Conference and hurricane relief, visit: http://www.gcsaa.org/news/special/06gulfcoast.asp.

ASGCA says courses should plan for recurring costs

With more golf courses considering renovation, golf course decision-makers need to think carefully about the recurring costs of their facility, according to Tom Marzolf, president of the American Society of Golf Course Architects.

“Golf courses evolve, in a sense live and breathe, so course managers are wise to consider the ‘life cycle' of their golf course, paying particular attention to items like irrigation, drainage and bunker sand,” explains Marzolf. “These have specific life expectancies, which enables managers to plan ahead. Doing so improves the golf course and can even save money in the long run, especially if it's done in the context of long-range master planning.

“Golf clubs have responded to competition in the marketplace, changes in clientele and technological advances, and many have elected to remodel their facilities,” he continues. “They also need to consider the functionality of the layout: how water drains, bunkers perform and cart paths hold up are essential to the long-term success of a golf facility.”

Marzolf noted that ASGCA offers a brochure, “The Golf Course Remodeling Process: Questions and Answers,” that can help decision makers assess the issues related to golf course renovation. The brochure is available free from ASGCA, (262) 786-5960 , mailto:info@asgca.org.

Deadline approaching for 2006 EGR Awards

The deadline for GCSAA's 2006 Excellence in Government Relations Awards deadline is approaching, Nominations are due Oct. 15.

The awards recognize outstanding individual and chapter efforts in government relations in the areas of advocacy and compliance. Any GCSAA member superintendent, assistant superintendent or chapter is eligible to receive the award.

If you know an individual or a chapter whose contributions to the industry deserve to be rewarded, nominate them for an EGR Award. Forms are available online at http://www.gcsaa.org/resources/awards/egr/egr.asp. For more about the awards, contact Nathan Littlejohn , government relations coordinator, (800) 472-7878 Ext. 4493, nlittlejohn@gcsaa.org.

ELGA application deadline extended

Extreme weather conditions and a challenging summer have prompted an extension of the deadline for applications to the 2005 GCSAA/ Golf Digest Environmental Leaders in Golf Awards. The new deadline will be Friday, Oct. 21. For questions, call (800) 472-7878 , ext. 4430. To apply online click here.

More industry donations to hurricane relief

In the wake of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, several more members of the green industry have announced donations to the relief effort.

Case New Holland, one of the world's largest manufacturers of agriculture and construction equipment, has donated more than $1 million of construction equipment to support ongoing relief and restoration efforts related to Hurricane Katrina, which devastated several Gulf Coast states.

“Our deepest condolences go out to all of those who have been affected directly or indirectly by this immense natural disaster,” said Harold Boyanovsky, president and CEO of CNH . “We are pleased to be in a position to provide equipment needed to begin the process of rebuilding these communities.”

In addition to providing equipment, CNH also announced it will match individual employee donations to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund on a dollar-for-dollar basis.

Makita USA Inc. , manufacturer of professional quality power tools and accessories, is donating of $100,000 to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund to support their efforts in assisting the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Yanmar America Corp. and its affiliates, Tuff Torq Corp., Yanmar Manufacturing America and Yanmar Marine USA, and Kanzaki in Japan, have made over $60,000.00 in cash donations to The American Red Cross. The company manufactures diesel engines, agricultural construction and industrial machinery.

In addition, Yanmar Co., Ltd., of Japan is prepared to send two Yanmar Wheel Loaders valued at $85,000 to assist in the relief efforts.

Yanmar America president Akihiko Nakaoka said the company has instituted a matching gifts program, with the company matching dollar for dollar the donations raised by its employees for hurricane victims.  

The Carolinas GCSA gave $35,000 to relief efforts. The money will go to golf course superintendents in Louisiana , Mississippi and Texas to help pay for food, clothing and housing.

“Golf courses have no protection from Mother Nature,” said Mike Brown, CGCS, president of the association. “So a lot of golf course superintendents in the affected areas not only lost their homes and possessions, they lost their jobs, too. We want to do all we can to support them and buy them some time to get back on their feet.”

The Carolinas GCSA has 1,800-members and represents the professional interests of the men and women who prepare and maintain the more 800 golf courses in North and South Carolina.