Divot Mix

"You'd never see a course as firm as this in the States. Their idea of firm is no mud on a ball running five yards." -- U.S. Open Champion Geoff Ogilvy on conditions at Royal Liverpool, site of the 2006 British Open

GCSAA.org celebrates 10 years of service

The Internet has become a key part of most Americans' business and recreational life, and this summer, GCSAA is celebrating its 10th anniversary of providing a stop for golf course superintendents on the information super highway.

Since it was launched in 1996, GCSAA.org has transformed from an information source for a few tech-savvy members to an integral part of GCSAA's education, communication and member benefit efforts.

"GCSAA.org has enabled us to serve members in ways we could have not even imagined 10 years ago," GCSAA CEO Steve Mona, CAE, said. "Its success is a testament to both our staff and their ability to recognize and utilize the latest technology, and our members in their willingness to embrace it. The board of directors at the time made a commitment to making an aggressive stance toward technology. They wanted this to be a prominent feature of service to GCSAA members."

As part of the anniversary celebration, users will be able to view historical images of past incarnations of the site, download free wallpaper for their desktops, and post a message on a guestbook about their memories and experiences on the site. The features are available at http://www.gcsaa.org/10/default.asp.

Sharmion Linseisen-Kerley, currently GCSAA's senior manager, brand marketing, was the site's first Web editor. When the site was first launched it provided just basic information on the association and the profession. A few months later a members-only side of the site was launched and "that's when things just exploded," Linseisen-Kerley said.

GCSAA President Sean A. Hoolehan, CGCS, was part of the Information Services Committee and said member involvement was key from the start.

"We had an edge on many other associations because we decided to jump into using this technology prior to being forced into it. We had a rich Web presence early in the game and members were looking for this," Hoolehan said.

Today there are more than 55,000 pages of content on topics ranging from news to career success strategies, employment information, media relations, and the ever popular members-only forums.

Course owners talking deals at leadership retreat

The owners and operators representing controlling interests in 1,600 golf courses across the U.S. and around the world and $15 billion in buying influence who attended the NGCOA's 11th annual Multi-Course Owners Leadership Retreat were talking deals.

“For the first time in several years, the industry is in a deal-making mood,” NGCOA CEO Mike Hughes said in his opening remarks. “The last time there was this much anticipation in the air was back in the early to mid ‘90s, when there was all that Wall Street money trying to find a place to land. It's obviously different this time around.”

Jim Hinckley of Century Golf Partners gave attendees an interesting way to think about acquisitions. “From an investor standpoint, the golf business is confusing. But you understand hotels and apartments. Look at golf courses the same way. It's all about occupancy, rate and capacity. I think the industry is on the verge of a transition. As investors start to realize it's an industry with stable cash flow, it opens doors to capitalization strategies.

”Golf Environment Europe announces new initiative

Golf Environment Europe, in partnership with the Sports Turf Research Institute, the Scandinavian Turfgrass Foundation and the University of Pisa, has announced a new initiative to coordinate the production and exchange of technical information on environmental issues in golf.

GEE's Innovation and Technology Network will be the first time that research, development and information exchange on technical environmental issues relating to golf will have been brought together in a single coordinated framework, with a centralized research agenda.

The Network will provide industry manufacturers and suppliers with the opportunity to fund research and information exchange projects across a number of different topics, through the three research centers.

Key issues to be addressed within the research agenda will be:

• Turfgrass management
• Water resource management
• Golf course ecology
• Waste management
• Energy efficiency and alternative energies

Jonathan Smith of Golf Environment Europe said, “There really is a need to improve the amount and coordination of research and information exchange on environmental issues within golf. This kind of industry driven activity has been taking place in the U.S. for many years, where it is extremely well resourced.

“This network provides the opportunity for companies based or active in Europe, and with a vested interest in the future of golf, to assist practitioners in continuing to adapt to environmental issues.

With the development of a single web based information centre, the outputs of the network will be readily accessible to all practitioners within golf and to all those interested in the relationship between golf and the environment.

For more information on the network contact Jonathan Smith jonathan@golfenvironmenteurope.org or visit www.golfenvironmenteurope.org.