NGCOA News

NGCOA Unveils “Beginner Friendly” Course Certification Program

The NGCOA, through its “Get Linked, Play Golf.” player development program, has created the Beginner Friendly Course Certification. The purpose: To help new players locate courses in their area that welcome beginners.

To participate, owners simply complete a brief questionnaire and return it to the NGCOA. Questions seek to determine such information as: the types of programs offered for new golfers; whether or not the course offers special tee times for new golfers; whether or not the course provides loaner clubs and stocks lower-priced clubs for new golfers; and whether or not the course has incentive programs to get new players back on the course. The questions are assigned a point value, then tallied. Courses with a score of 80 or higher are deemed “Beginner Friendly.”

Courses identified as “Beginner Friendly” will receive a decal and a toolkit with instructions on how to utilize this distinction in marketing efforts. These courses and their programs will also be listed on www.getlinkedplaygolf.com so new players can locate the courses and programs best suited to their needs.

Allied Association News

CMAA and Gaylord Partner To Produce Club Championship

The Club Manager’s Association of America announces it has teamed with Gaylord Event Television to direct and produce the 2003 CMAA National Club Championship. The Club Championship, scheduled to be played in spring 2003, will include 16 regional medal play tournaments and four sectional match play events. The final 16-player match play championship is scheduled for the fall of 2003 and will be produced by Gaylord Event Television.

For more information, visit www.cmaa.org.

Del Webb Embraces NGF Customer Loyalty Program

The National Golf Foundation announces Del Webb Corp is in the process of implementing the NGF’s Customer Loyalty Program (CLASP). The program is designed to enable facilities to analyze, track and monitor customer behavior to develop a one-to-one relationship with customers and increase profitability.

For more information, visit www.ngf.org.

EWGA Recognizes 100th Chapter

The Executive Women’s Golf Association announces the formation of its new Memphis, Tennessee, chapter, which brings the total number of chapters to 100. The chapter’s host club is Stonebridge Golf Club in Lakeland, Tennessee.

For more information, call (800) 407-1477 or visit www.ewga.com.

ASIC Offers Earth Grounding Guidelines for Electrical Irrigation Systems

The American Society of Irrigation Consultants announces the availability of guidelines for earth grounding of irrigation systems. The piece, which represents several years of research and discussion on the subject, is ideal for designers, distributors, contractors, manufacturers and anyone involved in irrigation.

To download a copy of "ASIC Guidelines for Earth Grounding Electronic Equipment in Irrigation Systems," visit www.asic.org.

Strategic Initiatives & Acquisitions

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Rain Bird and Lesco Reach Distribution Partnership

Rain Bird’s Golf Division and Lesco, Inc., announce a limited distribution agreement that will make Rain Bird’s ESR 70/90 and Eagle 700/900 rotors and replacement parts available to golf courses nationwide through Lesco.

GPI Retained By The Club at Nine Bridges For Marketing

Golf Projects International (GPI), a Los Angeles-based country club development and consulting company, announces it has been awarded a multi-year contract to oversee the marketing and operations for The Club at Nine Bridges, located on Jeju Island, Korea. GPI will advise on all aspects of the operation, including facility and course operations and maintenance, the membership program, recruitment of key management, development of staff training and special events.

Plotkin Group To Train Staff From Louisiana Courses

The Plotkin Group, a customer service training company and provider of pre-employment tests, announces it has received a contract from the state of Louisiana to train staff at all of its golf courses and resorts that comprise the Audubon Trail. Under the agreement, The Plotkin Group will train all staff utilizing its “Above and Beyond Customer Service” training program.

LPGA Instructor and GlobalOne Launch Program For Women Golfers

Lana Ortega, lead LPGA instructor at the McGetrick Golf Academy, and GlobalOne Golf announce a partnership in which the two will offer “On Course For Her,” a program designed to help golf courses capitalize on the women’s golf market. The program is designed to address every aspect of the game: course design, marketing, teaching services, merchandising, staffing, programs, communications and even non-golf related activities.

Meadowbrook Signs Agreement With Coca-Cola

Meadowbrook Golf announces it signed a three-year contract with The Coca-Cola Company. Under the agreement, Coke will be the exclusive fountain beverage provider at all Meadowbrook owned, managed and leased clubs.

Golf Marketing Purchases

Flagstick Guarantee

Golf Marketing, a hole-in-one insurance and prize promotion company, announces it has purchased Flagstick Guarantee of Colorado Springs, Colorado, a regional prize promotion company. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Golf Marketing officials anticipate the purchase will increase its sales volume from 10 percent to 15 percent.

New Courses & Renovations

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Schreiner-Designed Course To Open This Summer

Craig Schreiner Golf Course Architects announces Beaver Creek on the Plains in Zachary, Louisiana, is on schedule to open this summer. The 6,950-yard layout, centerpiece of a residential community, will be managed by the East Baton Rouge Park and Recreation Commission.

For more information, call (847) 487-5313.

Serafin To Add Nine Holes at Lakeland Golf Course

Golf course architect Barry Serafin announces his firm has been selected to design the new nine holes of Lakeland Golf Course in St. Paris, Ohio. The addition is scheduled to begin in June and be completed by fall for a full 18-hole opening next spring.

For more information, call (614) 939-0022.

Troon Golf To Help Create Georgia Tech Club

Troon Golf announces it has partnered with The Melrose Company from Hilton Head, South Carolina, and the Weitz Company of Des Moines, Iowa, in the creation of the Georgia Tech Club. Located in Alpharetta, the privately developed residential golf facility and recreational community will help support the university, and serve as the host facility for alumni, business associates, supporters and faculty, and provide practice and learning facilities for the Georgia Tech golf program.

For more information, visit www.troongolf.com.

New Love Course Started in South Carolina

Grand Harbor, a residential development on Lake Greenwod in Greenwood, South Carolina, announces the official start of a new Davis Love III course. Scheduled for completion in fall 2003, the 18-hole course will be called The Patriot Club.

For more information, call (864) 543-2800.

ClubCorp Unveils New Australia Course

ClubCorp announces the opening of its newest international property, Macquarie Links International Golf Club in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The 6,801-yard golf course was designed by Robin Nelson and features a blend of links-style influences with a heathland, or bush, character.

For more information, visit www.clubcorp.com.

Fought-Lehman Architecture To Renovate DC Ranch Course

John Fought-Tom Lehman Golf Course Architecture announces the firm has been selected to oversee the redesign of The Country Club at DC Ranch in Scottsdale, Arizona. The course, which is scheduled to reopen in late October 2002, is undergoing a redesign of all 18 greens as well as most of the bunkers.

For more information, call (480) 991-9858.

Nugent Golf Associates To Design Russia Course

Nugent Golf Associates announces it has been selected to design and construct a new, 45-hole golf facility in St. Petersburg, Russia. The golf portion of the cultural sport complex will include two 18-hole golf courses, a short course and learning academy incorporating practice putting and chipping greens.

For more information, call (847) 438-5222.

Victoria Hills Golf Club Opens

Arvida’s Victoria Park in DeLand, Florida, announces the grand opening of its new championship golf course, Victoria Hills Golf Club. The 18-hole public facility was designed by Ron Garl.

For more information, visit www.arvida.com.

Los Lagos Course Opens

Los Lagos Golf Course, LLC, a partnership of CourseCo, Inc., and Capitol Development Group, announces the opening of its newest managed golf facility, Los Lagos Golf Course in San José, California. The city-owned facility includes a 5,393-yard, par-68 course; clubhouse; a lighted, two-tiered driving range; and a pedestrian/cycle trail.

For more information, call (408) 361-0250.

Construction of Barefoot Resort Practice Facility Nears Completion

Barefoot Resort and Golf announces construction is on schedule for its new, 13-acre driving range and practice facility. The driving range opened in late April, and the remainder of the practice facility will open in the fall. It will house the Golf Digest School.

For more information, call (800) 243-6121.

Internet Business

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Book4golf.com Expands Colorado Presence

Book4golf.com announces it has signed a partnership agreement with E-Golf Network of Englewood, Colorado, to offer online tee times for its list of golf courses on that network. The launch date for these new Denver courses on the Book4golf.com Web site was in late April.

In a separate announcement, Book4golf.com reports it has signed an agreement to become the “Official Online Tee Time Reservation System of SCOREGolf.com” by providing a co-branded tee time booking engine to SCOREGolf.com.

For more information, visit www.book4golf.com.

Fairway Systems Launches New Web Site

Fairway Systems announces the launch of an online tee time reservation system at www.e-golf.net. The site allows users to book online tee times at Colorado golf courses in Aurora, Denver, Loveland, Foothills Park, Indian Tree, Omni Interlocken Resort and Red Hawk Ridge.

For more information, visit www.w-golf.net.

Consumer Products

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Softspikes Launches New Black Widow Cleat Brush

Softspikes announces the introduction of the new Black Widow Cleat Brush, which includes three sets of bristles and a black nylon handle. The shape of the bristles gives the brush the ability to simultaneously clean the top of the cleat and under the cleat legs.

For more information, call (800) 638-0075.

QLink Unveils Gold Pendant

Clarus Products International announces the company is offering its QLink pendant in 14 karat gold. To celebrate this launch, $50 from each of the $799 pendants sold will be donated to the “Hook a Kid on Golf” program.

For more information, call (877) 564-6511.

GolfPS Announces Release of PC Personal Golf System

GolfPS announces the release of its GolfPS version 1.01, a personal GPS golf system. The system includes golf course mapping and player software for the Compaq iPAQ Pocket PC, a WAAS-enhanced CPS receiver expansion pack, PC desktop viewer software and the www.golfps.com map exchange Web site.

For more information, call (800) 845-4451 or visit www.golfps.com.

Sponsorships, Promotions & Special Recognitions

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New Club Car Ad Campaign Promotes “Solutions” Position

Club Car announces the launch of a new ad campaign focusing on its “solutions” business objective. The ads feature the word “solution” stretching nearly the width of the page with visuals of golf course owners and superintendents and limited copy introducing a “slice of life solution” offered by Club Car. Initial executions focus on fleet management, turf maintenance, hospitality and financial solutions.

For more information, visit www.clubcar.com.

Caledonia and True Blue Offer Golf Memberships

Caledonia Golf and Fish Club and True Blue Golf Plantation, both in Pawleys Island, South Carolina, announce the introduction of annual golf memberships, which include access to both courses, unlimited use of either practice facility, a 10 percent discount at both pro shops and restaurants, and set greens fee of $25 year-round including cart. The single rate is $1,500, the couple rate is $2,000 and the family rate is $3,000.

For more information, call (888) 484-6081 or (800) 483-6800.

Softspikes Named Official Cleat of Two Golf Tours

Softspikes, Inc., a manufacturer of plastic golf cleats, announces it has been named the “Official Cleat” of the U.S. Challenge Golf Tour, a developmental tour for both men and women. Softspikes reports has also been named the “Official Cleat” of the Stewart & Stewart Tour.

For more information, call (800) 638-0075.

Tiger’s Eye Garners Acclaim

Ocean Ridge Plantation in Sunset Beach, North Carolina, announces one of its courses, Tiger’s Eye Golf Links, has earned four-and-a-half stars in Golf Digest’s Places To Play 2002-2003 ranking.

For more information, visit www.big-cats.com.

SunCor Partners With Cardinals

SunCor Golf announces it has partnered with the Arizona Cardinals for marketing and promotional events. The agreement runs through January 2003, and includes reciprocal golf and football benefits and promotions.

For more information, visit www.suncorgolf.com.

Never Compromise Unveils National Demo Day Program

Never Compromise announces the launch of a national demo day program that will run through mid-August. Golfers throughout the country will be able to try the new Never Compromise TDP and Sub 30 putters along with the original Z-I putter series.

For more information, visit www.nevercompromise.com.

Natural Golf Offers National

Demo Day

Natural Golf Corporation announces a demo day program for 2002, which will incorporate 500 “Natural Golf Days” nationwide. Participants will have the chance to meet the local certified instructor,, other Natural Golfers from the area and receive a free custom club fitting.

For more information, visit www.naturalgolf.com.

New Infomercial Launched For Trinity Golf

Script to Screen, a provider of direct response television marketing, announces that it has completed a new infomercial for Trinity Golf. The new infomercial, “Promises,” continues the campaign that launched the Stiletto II Beta Ti driver in 2000.

For more information, visit www.scripttoscreen.com.

Staff Appointments & Promotions

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Nancy Clopper has been named director of sales for MembersFirst, Inc.

Terry McCabe, chief golf club designer for Titleist, has resigned.

Lynn Luczkowski has been appointed director of public relations for Spalding Sports Worldwide.

Bruce Lehnhard has been promoted to senior distributor manager for Softspikes.

Rich Hennemann has been promoted to sales/marketing coordinator for MacNeill Engineering Worldwide.

David Clifton has been named managing director for Europe and Asia of Interval International.

Michael Stone has been promoted to executive vice president of Club Tee Time.

David Gast has been named vice president of sales for Zevo Golf.

Gene Grews has been named golf course superintendent of Lochmere Golf Course in Cary, North Carolina.

Fred Pretzer has been promoted to technical accounts manager covering the western United States for Dow AgroSciences.

Debbie Massey has been tapped to oversee marketing and promotional efforts at Black Lake Golf Club in Onaway, Michigan.

Rodney McDonald has expanded his role as Cleveland Golf’s director of tour operations to include the European PGA Tour.

Richard Maxfield has been named golf course superintendent of The Reserve at Lake Keowee in South Carolina.

Jon Fritz has joined Blackmoor Golf Club as golf professional.

Glynne Taylor has been appointed golf course superintendent at Woodcreek Golf Course.

Martin Greenwald has been promoted to national sales manager of MacNeill Engineering Worldwide.

David Karch has been named director of sales and marketing at Valencia Country Club.

Gary Edwin has joined the Glades Golf & Spa in Queensland.

Michelle M. Cook has joined Greg Norman Golf Course Design as the director of marketing.

Chris Freer has been appointed director of sales and marketing of Washington National Golf Club in Auburn, Washington.

Jeff Minton has been named director of golf for La Costa Resort and Spot in San Diego, California.