December 11, 2008

  • NGF assesses recession's effect on golf
  • Hydration stations to debut at GIS
  • Atlantic Hurricane Season sets records
  • An overdue thank you
  • Inside your environment
  • Photo quiz
  • Toys for Tots
  • GIS to get new look in San Diego
  • Feedback coming in
  • Date and event changes for 2010 Golf Industry Show
  • CMAA rolls out new Clubs and the Economy site
  • NGCOA awards announced
  • Toro reports fiscal 2008 results

  • Bobcat offers new heavy-duty snow blades
  • "Secrets" book opens door into golf course architects' minds
  • John Deere enhances remanufacturing focus through full ownership of ReGen
  • Universal Golf and Bunkershot.com launched
  • Videos focus on the top 50 golf-related injuries
  • GCSAA superintendent member Scott S. Slomka is hosting the Merrill Lynch Shootout
  • Superintendents in the news
  • Jett to lead Carolinas GCSA in 2009
  • Bonar wins 2009 USGA Green Section Award
  • Shaun Barry recognized for dedication to the industry
  • Dupont’s Orrben passes away
  • Upcoming events in the world of golf course management

Product News

Bobcat offers new heavy-duty snow blades

Bobcat Co. has introduced a new line of heavy-duty snow blades that provides snow-removal operators with a long-lasting tool that helps increase productivity. Primary features of these attachments include blade oscillation, a trip edge and a box-style mainframe.

The blades are available in 86-, 96- and 108-inch models approved for use on Bobcat S130 to S330 skid-steer loaders, T140 to T320 compact track loaders, V417 VersaHandler telescopic tool carrier, and two Bobcat exclusives — the A300 all-wheel steer loader and Toolcat utility work machines.

A double-action cylinder angles the blade 30 degrees to the left or right. Angling the blade is controlled from the cab by a fingertip control, which allows the operator to adjust the blade without removing hands from the loader steering levers. The blade oscillates five degrees to keep in contact with the surface, preventing the need for multiple passes to clear snow.

Damage to snow blade components is prevented by the torsion spring trip edge should the snow blade come in contact with sections of raised concrete on sidewalks or other obstructions.

Because most snow is cleared at night or in the early morning the company has painted the snow blades orange so they are more easily seen by the operator.

Optional features include rubber or polyurethane cutting edges and end-wing kits. The end-wing kits make the attachment more versatile by allowing the snow blade to also be used as a snow pusher. Contact http://www.bobcat.com.

"Secrets" book opens door into golf course architects' minds  

Bill Coore, ASGCA, was confronted by naked, blowgun-wielding tribesmen in Indonesia. Pete Dye, ASGCA Fellow, wasn't hired to build the second nine at the first course he ever designed. And, more than one member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects has been threatened with arrest without cause in a foreign country, all while innocently designing golf courses.

Stories like these are only part of the harrowing, moving, challenging and inspirational experiences of golf course architects published in the new book by ASGCA, "Secrets of the Great Golf Course Architects." This 244-page, hard cover, full-color coffee table book, co-authored by Michael Patrick Shiels, was published in November and is available for purchase online or by calling the ASGCA at 262-786-5960.

"ASGCA members all have stories about their adventures in golf course architecture," says Steve Forrest, immediate past president of ASGCA. "Inevitably, people who hear these stories will say, 'You should write a book.' So, we did. This fascinating mix of heartfelt confessions and intriguing tall tales from 118 ASGCA members casually reveals the creative process, the travel challenges, the dicey situations and the incredible satisfaction that make up the life of a golf course architect."

The book, which retails for $40, includes more than 150 color photographs and golf course renderings that accompany the stories.

John Deere enhances remanufacturing focus through full ownership of ReGen

Deere & Co. has acquired full ownership of ReGen Technologies Inc., a remanufacturing company located in Springfield, Mo. Deere had already owned 50 percent of the business.

John Deere said the operations will be more fully integrated with remanufacturing operations in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, and the overall name of the business will be John Deere Reman -- an organization focused on growing Deere’s remanufacturing business globally.

"We aspire to an enhanced leadership position in the remanufacturing business," said Barry Schaffter, senior vice president of manufacturing in Deere's Construction & Forestry division. "ReGen has delivered impressive business results through a dedication to quality and ingenuity."

ReGen was founded in 1998 to remanufacture engines for John Deere products in the U.S. and Canada and has broadened its product line since then to include other engine components, fuel injection systems, starters, alternators, air conditioning components and other key parts for John Deere customers of agricultural, construction and forestry equipment around the world.

Schaffter said the remanufacturing business is important to Deere because of the environmental benefit that comes from recycling components of heavy equipment. Financial details of the transaction were not released.

Universal Golf and Bunkershot.com launched

Universal Golf is a new digital golf magazine that is emailed to subscribers free of charge each month.

Visit www.universalgolfmag.com to subscribe and get a link to the latest issue.

BunkerShot.com is a community-driven site that provides participants with a Golf Social Network and forums. To create an account visit http://www.bunkershot.com/community.

Videos focus on the top 50 golf-related injuries

GolfersMD.com has released of a new series of videos featuring doctors, trainers and physical therapists who help golfers suffering from pain and injuries.

The new videos focus on the most common golf-related injuries and can be found on the site under "Top 10 Golf Injury Videos" and in the Health and Fitness section.

Site visitors can interact with GolfersMD.com video content for a completely different learning experience that includes top sports medicine doctors such as Randa Bascharon, D.O., Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Institute of Las Vegas and physical therapist Bob Donatelli, Ph. D., Sports Rehabilitation Physiotherapy Associates of Las Vegas. "With the start of the golf offseason for much of the U.S. now is an ideal time for golfers to address nagging injuries so they can be 100 percent for the start of the golf season this spring," said Dr. Bob Donatelli.

The new videos address a growing demand for online video content from the public. "At GolfersMD.com we recognize the online health marketplace is experiencing a significant shift with the use of Internet video, and golfers are increasingly looking toward video as part of their health and fitness information gathering experience," said Tom Carter, CEO.

The new series of videos will help golfers deal with the most common golf-related injuries such as golfers elbow, lower back pain and ACL knee issues. Structured to engage golfers and make it easier for them to better understand the causes, risks and treatment options for all of their injuries, the new videos will allow golfers to get all the info they need about their ailment in minutes instead of the hours of research and Web surfing that was previously required.