Divot Mix

It is not a matter of life and death. It is not that important. But it is a reflection of life, and so the game is an enigma wrapped in a mystery impaled on a conundrum. --Peter Alliss

NewsWeekly's new name

This week marks the official launch of GCM NewsWeekly. In addition to the name change, it has a new look designed to match GCM's cover design.

The mission is still the same, but there's a new section called Inside GCM that will direct readers to the online content offered by GCM. In the last issue of NewsWeekly each month, we'll preview what's coming up in the next month's magazine.

In addition, we'll keep readers up to date on what's appearing on the GCM blog .

Next week, we'll have daily coverage of the GCSAA Education Conference and Golf Industry Show, including reports on the GCM blog from staff members and editors.

Wall Street Journal looks at golf's health

At a time when many in the golf industry are worried about what the future holds, John Paul Newport of the Wall Street Journal attended the PGA Show and came away with a brighter outlook.

He wrote, " But dig beneath the numbers and an alternative version emerges: golf as reasonably healthy and surprisingly stable. Golf's economic growth overall was 4.1 percent between 2000 and 2005. That might not be the kind of sexy industry Wall Street loves, but for everyday golfers it's not the worst state of affairs -- nor is it for most of the people who make their living from the game."

To read the complete article, click here.

GCM blog hits the road.

GCM coverage of the GCSAA National Championship and Golf Classic begins this weekend on the GCM blog. Editor Scott Hollister will be offering offer daily updates and photos of the competition in Orlando.

Last week, Hollister was blogging on bloggers when he wrote about the blog produced by the maintenance staff at Northland Country Club in Duluth, Minn. Chris Tritabaugh, a nine-year member of GCSAA, is the superintendent at Northland and uses his blog to keep members of the club updated on maintenance staff activities.

In addition, GCM staffers Seth Jones and Darcy DeVictor are on the road this week and will be contributing to the blog. Jones is headed to media day for the Roco Ki Resort in the Dominican Republic, and DeVictor was be at Bobcat's 50th anniversary celebration in Henderson, Nev.

For GCSAA members who are interested in starting their own Web site or blog, GCSAA is offering an introductory Web cast on starting a Web site or blog. For more click here. Those attending the Golf Industry Show, can join presenter Max Utsler, Ph.D., for a session on New Media, including blogs, at 4 p.m. Friday Feb. 1 in the Media Center, booth #4003 on the trade show floor.

Woodrow Wilson Center honors Nicklaus

Motivated by the global impact he has made in his second career as a world-class designer, as well as his philanthropic efforts at home, Jack Nicklaus was honored Jan. 19 with The Woodrow Wilson Award for Corporate Citizenship. The Wilson Award for Public Service was presented to financial market innovator Stephen Schwarzman.

With its Woodrow Wilson Awards, the center recognizes leaders in business and public service from around the world and across the political spectrum.

The Woodrow Wilson Award for Corporate Citizenship is given to executives who exemplify a commitment to the common good—beyond the bottom line. They are the people who demonstrate that private firms should be stellar citizens in their own neighborhoods, as well as in the world.

Past recipients of the Woodrow Wilson Awards for Corporate Citizenship include Alexander Dreyfoos of the Dreyfoos Co., Sherry Lansing of Paramount Pictures, Ross Perot Jr. and Ted Turner.

Schwarzman, co-founder, chairman and CEO of the Blackstone Group, is receiving the Woodrow Wilson Award for Public Service, given to individuals who have served with distinction in public life and have shown a commitment to seeking informed opinions and thoughtful views. In addition to overseeing one of the most successful investment and advisory firms in the world, Schwarzman recently accepted chairmanship of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. For more about awards, visit http://www.wilsoncenter.org/.

Eighth annual Intelligent Use of Water Summit held

Conservation experts and green industry professionals convened in Pasadena, Calif., on Dec. 31, for The Intelligent Use of Water Summit VIII, A Look at Global Conservation Initiatives and Strategies: Leading by Example, a forum focused on water conservation initiatives and landscape irrigation strategies.

Hosted by Rain Bird Corp., the summit included a four-person panel that discussed the challenges faced by industry professionals and the public, as well as methods designed to foster outdoor water conservation.

"Our commitment extends beyond products to partnering with individuals and organizations around the world who share a similar interest in water efficiency," said Rain Bird Corporate Marketing Director Dave Johnson.

Members of the panel were:

• Mike Binns -- regional landscape director, Camden Living, Houston, Texas
• Roger Cook -- landscape contractor, This Old House
• Marty Eberhardt -- executive director of The Water Conservation Garden
• David Zoldoske -- director, Center for Irrigation Technology, Fresno, Calif.

The summit began with the presentation of an award check for $10,000 to panelist Marty Eberhardt for winning the 2007 Intelligent Use of Water Award.

In addition to calling for irrigation and landscaping professionals to assist in the development and implementation of water conservation initiatives and management, the panel emphasized the need to question accepted trade practices. They also acknowledged the role that industry professionals can play by influencing individuals and organizations to adopt water-conserving practices.

Panelist Cook said, "We need to look ahead, but there are many things we can do now in terms of water conservation. The more we can show people through television, through articles, and any other way we can, the more people will do this."

Rain Bird's next Intelligent Use of Water Summit in scheduled for June 2008 in Zaragoza, Spain.