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 From the News Desk...News and people briefsGreen Section’s O’Brien to receive award from Carolinas GCSAPat O’Brien, southeast director of the USGA Green Section has been named the recipient of the Carolinas Golf Course Superintendents Association Distinguished Service Award.O’Brien will receive the award later this month at the Carolinas GCSA annual conference, scheduled for Nov. 16-18 in Myrtle Beach. Based in Griffin, Ga., O’Brien and regional agronomist Chris Hartwiger provide advice as well as agronomic and consulting services to about 250 golf courses in the Carolinas, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee and Bermuda. O’Brien has worked for the Green Section since 1979, beginning his career in the Mid-Atlantic Region. Meeting to focus on water-saving strategiesThe California Alliance for Golf and the California State Club Association are teaming with the Coachella Valley Water District for the second Golf and Water Symposium.The symposium, designed to educate professional turf managers and others from throughout the state about the importance of conserving water and developing smart irrigation plans. The event is scheduled for Nov. 12 at the University of California, Riverside Palm Desert Graduate Center. Speakers include Sen. John Benoit, who serves on the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee, Tim Quinn, executive director of the Association of California Water Agencies, and CAG board member Bruce Williams, CGCS, who will discuss how the golf industry and water districts can work together. For more information, or to register, visit www.caclubs.org . USGS report shows decrease in water usage from 2000 to 2005During a keynote address given Oct. 29 at the National Press Club, Anne Castle announced that a U.S. Geological Survey report, “Summary of Estimated Water Use in the United States in 2005,” states that Americans used 410 billion gallons of water per day; slightly less than what was consumed in 2000. The decline was specifically attributed to the increased use of more efficient irrigation systems and alternative technologies at power plants.The report states that in 2005, the majority of irrigation withdrawals and irrigated acres were in the Western states, but significant increases in irrigation have occurred in some Southeastern states. The report continues to state that even though the amount of irrigated acres throughout the United States has increased, irrigation application rates have decreased steadily from 1950 to 2005; a change that is directly attributed to the increased use of more efficient irrigation systems. Overall, the report concluded that irrigation withdrawals accounted for 31 percent of total withdrawals and 37 percent of freshwater withdrawals. For more information, visit water.usgs.gov . NGCOA conference to highlight economic solutionsAttendees at next year’s National Golf Course Owners Association Annual Conference can take advantage of more than 20 educational sessions and several key industry speakers. The conference, which is open to NGCOA members and non-members, will be held Feb. 8-12 in conjunction with the Golf Industry Show in San Diego.In addition to keynote speaker Todd Buchholz, a White House economist during George H.W. Bush’s administration, speakers include Gene Marks, Jon Last, Cindy Estis Green and Henry DeLozier. Marks, CEO of The Marks Group, will discuss profit-generating ideas, communication expenses, low-cost consultants, the role of social networking and identifying ways to lower marketing costs. Last, president of Sports and Leisure Research Group, will discuss consumer value-oriented mindsets and the increased competition for golfer's discretionary time and money. Managing partner of The Estis Group, Estis Green will discuss new marketing techniques, including search-engine optimization, rich Web content and social media to drive revenue and optimize tee time inventory. DeLozier, a partner in Global Golf Advisors, will discuss tools and information resources that can improve financial results. The session will cover budgeting and capital expense planning, risk management and golf asset evaluation. For more information, visit www.ngcoa.org . |
 In other news... Greens of envy Olympic Club members and 2012 U.S. Open reap benefits of converting from Poa annua to bentgrass. Posted: 11/19/2009 Read more » News and people briefs Register now for New England turf show, Toro introduces walk-behind trencher, Sipcam adds to sales staff Posted: 11/19/2009 Read more » A better divot digger Motorized device developed at the University of Arkansas produces uniform damage quickly and could help advance turf recovery research. Posted: 11/19/2009 Read more » Currier moving on from Bethpage Site of this year's U.S. Open to get new superintendent and 15th green. Posted: 11/18/2009 Read more » Economic struggles mean finding more fat to trim Superintendents look for ways to cut due to shrinking budgets. Posted: 11/16/2009 Read more » Complete news index »
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