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Second Column & Launch
Pad
(February 12-18, 2006) This week, The Wor(l)d of Golf
brings you a number of interesting official and unofficial sites on the
Web. Since this is a newly-launched on-line column and launch pad, I look
forward to receiving your feedback. Have a great week and, on February
14, a Happy Valentine's Day. Keep in touch with the Dutch!
Start here:
1. Selected golf courses, resorts and residential golf communities 2. Golf lifestyle and real estate investments 3. Facts and stats about the world of golf 4. Upcoming conferences, exhibitions, events, forums and tournaments 5. Golf course design and development 6. Sustainable development Saint Andrews and the town of
St. Andrews, Scotland:
Did you know that Saint Andrew is the Patron Saint of Scotland, and St. Andrews Day is celebrated by Scots around the world on November 30? And that the Flag of Scotland is the Cross of Saint Andrew, also known as the Saltire, and this is widely displayed as a symbol of national identity? The ancient city on Scotland's east coast has been a place of pilgrimage for centuries. Legend claims that the bones of Saint Andrew (Aghios Andreas) were brought from Patras by a monk called Regulus in about AD 390. Historical evidence tends to lean more heavily towards the relics arriving in the possession of a bishop fleeing from England almost 400 years later, but still, The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews is connected to Greece since Saint Andrew is the Patron Saint of Scotland, and St. Andrews Day is celebrated by Scots around the world on November 30. In AD 70, he was martyred in Patras. http://www.standrews.com/saint.htm http://www.theroyalandancientgolfclub.org/index.cfm?cfid=2187203&cftoken=19235587&action=homeofgolf.home http://www.standrews.org.uk/golf/index.html http://www.theroyalandancientgolfclub.org/ The Open returns to Turnberry
in 2009 -- Fore Times a Charm:
As announced by The R&A on December 1 last year, the 138th Open Championship will be returning to Turnberry, Ayrshire from July 16 to 19, 2009, taking place on the resort's renowned Ailsa Course. As a location, it is unsurpassed for its dramatic seascape as a 'backdrop' to the world's oldest major and as a challenging championship lay-out -- it has produced three winners of the highest calibre. The year 1977 will be remembered for its 'Duel in the Sun' when Tom Watson won by the narrowest of one shot margins after both he and Jack Nicklaus halved the 72nd hole in birdies; Greg Norman, the Champion in 1986, remembered for his record second round of 63 after opening with a 74, and Nick Price in 1994, remembered not only for his outrageous putt on the penultimate hole, but also for his titanic struggle against Jesper Parnevik, in second place. The Ailsa is regularly acknowledged as one of Britain's top three courses as well as consistently being ranked in the world's top 20 courses. http://www.starwoodhotels.com/westin/about/news/news_release_detail.html?obj_id=0900c7b980510825 http://www.troongolf.com/company/press_room/story/289.php Asian Golf Course Owners
Association (AGCOA):
The AGCOA is a non-profit organisation affiliated to the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA), which started in 1971 by a group of public access golf owners. NGCOA exists to provide business solutions -- in networking, information sharing, advocacy, communities, increasing rounds, operation and saving solutions, etc. -- for golf course operators, and since then the group has grown to more than 6,000 members in America alone. Seeing the growth and potential of the Asia markets, the NGCOA entered Asia as AGCOA. The association was formed by the Asia continents to provide golf owners with the tools they need to succeed in the complex and competitive golf business. This will also ensures that the playing fields continue to meet the demands of the golfers across the globe. In June last year, Dr. Chanchai Ruwaayrungruang was elected as AGCOA's Chairman. http://www.agcoa.org/ Pine Valley Golf Resort and
Country Club, Changping County, Beijing, China:
AGCOA Chairman Dr. Chanchai is also Chairman of the prestigious Pine Valley Golf Resort and Country Club (not to be confused with the Pine Valley Golf Club in New Jersey), billed as China's most exclusive golf resort. Pine Valley outside Beijing successfully hosted the Johnnie Walker Classic in April 2005 and is ranked as number one among China's most influential golf courses. The highly-rated complex in Beijing was voted "2004 Host Venue of the Year" by the players of the Asian Tour. The inaugural Volkswagen Masters - China was played over the Jack Nicklaus-designed course. The facilities at Pine Valley include an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Course, a 27-hole Jack Nicklaus II Links Course, two clubhouses, a five-star boutique hotel, a world-class spa, a Life Science Health Centre, Corporate Villas, indoor and outdoor recreational areas for all ages, an Equestrian Club, a Pet Hotel and an "Environmental Garden". http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/sport/archives/2005/05/06/2003253481 http://www.cityweekend.com.cn/en/beijing/stories/S1116987532 The Emerald Isle's golfing
profile soars:
The countdown to 36th Ryder Cup Matches at the prestigious Straffan, Co. Kildare-based K Club (September 22-24, 2006) has begun. Although Ireland has always been regarded as an attractive golf holiday destination, with several of the country's courses featuring in world top-100 listings down the years, the Emerald Isle has never before experienced the current level of visitor golf traffic. In 2001, over 217,000 visitors came to Ireland to play golf, generating over £100m in revenue for the tourism industry. About half of these golfers originated from Britain, over 50,000 travelled from North America, 40,000 came from mainland Europe and the other 9,000 were drawn from other parts of the world. During the last decade or so a massive level of investment in new courses has dramatically altered the whole golfing landscape, and the country's appeal as a golf holiday destination has soared as a result. Just ten years ago there were 275 golf clubs affiliated to the Golfing Union of Ireland. Now there are over 400. http://www.rydercup2006.ie/article.asp?id=10 New developments at the Gary
Player Stud Farm:
"There's something about the outside of a horse that's good for the inside of a man." This is a quote I read in Gary Player's latest quarterly newsletter, which was kindly mailed to me by his Gary Player Group. When he's not travelling around the globe playing golf and fulfilling business commitments, there is only one place on the earth that Gary wishes to spend hsi time -- with his thoroughbred horses at the Gary Okayer Stud Farm in Colesberg, South Africa. While the Black Knight acquired the property in 1974, the stud farm has been home to South Africa's finest thoroughbreds for over a century -- and things only contine to thrive in this part of the Karoo. The breeding season at the Fary Player Stud Farm is now in full swing and the two stallions -- Wolfhound (USA) and Manshood (GB) -- are performing extremely well, In this season, 63% of Wolfhound's foals have reportedly been money winners, including five first-place runners. Manshood has also made his mark in the industry as a leading sire, with his last three crops achieving a 66% winning rate. http://www.garyplayerstud.com/ Tucker's Point Club, Bermuda
(voted one of the "World's Best Golf Resorts 2005" by T+L
Golf):
This is Bermuda's newest luxury resort, private club and residential community. Spanning more than 200 acres in Tucker's Town, one of the island's premier enclaves, Tucker's Point Club provides the ultimate in amenities and services. In September 2005, Tucker's Point Club was voted one of the three best golf resorts in the Caribbean by Travel + Leisure Golf's "2005 World's Best Golf Resorts" (Casa de Campo, Dominican Republic was in first position, followed up by Ritz-Carlton Rose Hall, Jamaica). The Tucker's Point Club's 26 town homes and estate homes on Ship's Hill, as well as the 11 estate homes at Shell Point, offer spectacular vistas, a choice of floor plans, and can be customised by the buyer during construction. In addition, adjacent to the planned new hotel and spa will be The Residence Club at Tucker's Point, an elegant equity residential club consisting of stunning villas and a private clubhouse. All villas will have expansive verandahs with exceptional water views overlooking Castle Harbour or Harrington Sound. Residence Club ownership provides the ultimate Bermuda experience by combining the advantages of vacation home ownership with private club amenities and luxury hotel services. Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, Castle Harbour, and Harrington Sound, The Residence Club occupies a spectacular site, offers breathtaking views and provides a host of amenities and services. The Tucker's Point Golf, Beach and Tennis Club is a private membership club. Club memberships are available to Tucker's Point Club residents, a limited number of local and international residents, and select corporate members, while hotel guests will receive a temporary membership for the length of their stay. http://www.tuckerspoint.com/ http://www.tuckerspoint.com/pages/residence_club.jsp?pageID=club http://travelandleisure.com/tlgolf/worldsbest/results.cfm?region=5 http://travelandleisure.com/tlgolf/worldsbest/property.cfm?pid=492 "Australia's Finest Golf
Courses":
This book written by Darius Oliver is a tour through Australia's best golf courses, from the timeless classics at Royal Melbourne, Kingston Heath and Royal Adelaide to the modern masterpieces at The National, Kennedy Bay and The Capital. There is also a rare and fascinating look at the country's most exclusive golf course -- Ellerston -- designed by Greg Norman and located on the Packer family estate in the New South Wales Upper Hunter Valley. Darius Oliver grew up playing golf on Melbourne's Sandbelt where he developed an appreciation for classic golf course architecture and an insatiable desire to play all the great courses in Australia. Darius helped establish ausgolf -- Australia's foremost golf Web site -- in 1996, and has been an editor there ever since. During his time with ausgolf he has travelled extensively throughout Australia and played not only all of the country’s leading courses but also some of the world’s most famous. Darius now plays at The National Golf Club off a handicap of 3. http://www.ausgolf.com.au/book.htm http://www.ausgolf.com.au/scaletti.htm The book's cover page features two photos taken by Australian golf course photographer David Scaletti -- one of The National Golf Club Old Course's 7th hole and the other with a snapshot of the Ellerston Golf Course's 8th hole. "For me Ellerston was a very special project," Greg Norman said. "It had taken me more than ten years to convince my good friend and passionate golfer, [the late] Kerry Packer, that he should build his own golf course and when the decision was finally made, he ensured the brief was unique. Create the best golf course possible with as few tees as possible, in other words, build a golf course that penalises poor shots, makes the golfer think and play hard. He got all that plus more." http://www.ausgolf.com.au/ellerston.htm Kerry Packer was Greg's mentor in the business world. He learnt a lot from the late Australian billionaire, both on and off the golf course, Peter Stone reported in The Sydney Morning Herald on December 30, 2005. He died on December 26 last year at the age of 68. http://www.smh.com.au/news/golf/normans-memories-of-a-generous-man/2005/12/29/1135732692743.htm Along with being Australia's richest man, Kerry Packer was also considered one of the biggest "Whales" in Las Vegas. Packer would win or lose millions during his various stays in Las Vegas. He loved the action and could be found playing the highest stake games. One of the most famous stories about Packer was that he was playing at the Las Vegas Hilton when a Texas oilman became angry at the noise that Packer's entourage was making. The oilman boasted that he was worth 100 million dollars, to which Packer replied, I'll toss you for it." http://casinogambling.about.com/b/a/234287.htm "Aussie Rules", a bi-monthly
column from Travel + Leisure Golf by Greg Norman:
Why will golf prosper? "Because the game is much more than fairways and greens. It's a proven fact that golf courses increase property values. Perhaps the greatest validation of this is the high percentage of families purchasing homes in golf course communities who are not golfers but who recognise the inherent value and resale potential of living in such an enclave." Beginning with its January/February 2004 issue, Travel + Leisure Golf welcomed Greg Norman as a columnist. He could write his own ticket at any golf publication, but joined T+L Golf because Greg is about far more than hitting golf balls. http://www.shark.com/sharkwatch/aussierules/aussierules1.php January/February 2006 column: "My Blue Heaven" -- Boating, fishing, diving and, best of all, golf - how could you not love the Caribbean? "I've frequented the Bahamas since the late 1980s, when my wife, Laura, and I moved from Orlando to North Palm Beach before eventually settling in Hobe Sound. Some of my early adventures took me to exotic spots including Norman's Cay, a former haven for drug traffickers. Most who knew the island's history steered clear of it, which meant we found ample fishing and diving spots and an absence of people. The perfect retreat!" http://www.shark.com/sharkwatch/aussierules/aussierules13.php http://www.travelandleisure.com/tlgolf/invoke.cfm?ObjectID=DA5052AD-D838-45E1-9F25618C5CB7847E "Live to play at Pacific
Dunes" -- Pacific Dunes Development (Port Stephens, New South Wales,
Australia):
You don't have to be a golfer to appreciate the beauty that surrounds you at Australia's Pacific Dunes, or to understand why golf course living has become so popular. The investment of tennis legend Pat Rafter in Pacific Dunes is a fitting move for the dual U.S. Open Champion and Wimbledon finalist, whose love of golf comes second only to tennis. Pacific Dunes, a AU$ 180 million golf course estate development, was undertaken by global investment and advisory firm Babcock & Brown, Citta Property Group, local property developer Robert Paul, and Pat Rafter. It is a fully-integrated, master-planned tourist and residential community in Medowie, New South Wales, close to the Newcastle airport, an international and domestic airport northeast of Sydney. Pacific Dunes is the result of a vision to create a residential golfing community encompassing architectural design excellence on par with an international-standard golf course and its facilities. It is located 20 minutes from Nelson Bay, 25 minutes from Newcastle and a two-hour drive north of Sydney. Set in a pocket of scenic natural bushland, Pacific Dunes raises the bar on Port Stephens golf experiences, combining a world-class 18-hole golf course with an exceptional range of recreational facilities. Set on 135 hectares, Pacific Dunes has been master planned to create a wide, spacious residential and recreational landscaped community within a secure environment. Once Pacific Dunes is complete, it will offer a swimming pool, tennis courts, barbecue facilities, scenic nature trails, parkland and a stunning permanent clubhouse. Newcastle is New South Wales' second largest city and is located at the base of the Hunter Valley at the mouth of the Hunter River, approximately 150 km. north of Sydney. Priced from AU$ 675,000, the homes set a new standard for architecturally designed houses in Medowie, and bring renowned Sydney architecture firm Cox Richardson to the Hunter region. The care of Pacific Dunes Golf Club has been placed in the hands of Troon Golf, the leader in upscale golf course management, development and marketing, overseeing operations at more than 185 courses located in 29 U.S. states and 18 countries. http://www.pacificdunes.com.au/ http://www.ausgolf.com.au/realestate/rearticle5.htm Village on the Green, Rancho
Cucamonga, California (Kisco Apartment Communities):
If you're looking for a golf-based active-adult community in Southern California with an award-winning golf course and a place "where exclusive country club living is yours everyday", look no further. Village on the Green is a scenic community surrounded by the sprawling green landscape and wide fairways of the 18-hole, award-winning, Arnold Palmer-designed Empire Lakes Golf Course in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. Located 30 minutes north of Orange County and east of Los Angeles County, this par-72 championship lay-out brings tradition and an extraordinary experience to the game of golf. The active-adult community is an enchanting setting that combines luxury, nature and lifestyle to fulfill every facet of your life. Kisco Apartment Communities specialise in apartments for active adults (age 55 and better) that offer an enriched lifestyle in beautifully appointed communities. Andrew S. Kohlberg, Founder and President of Carlsbad, CA-based Kisco. http://villageonthegreenapts.com/ http://www.kiscoseniorliving.com/apartments-village.asp http://www.empirelakes.com/golf.asp Suncadia, Roslyn, Washington,
a four-season resort and golf community currently under
development:
Lowe, a Los Angeles-based firm active in the development of commercial, hospitality and planned community projects nationwide, has entered a joint-venture with JELD-WEN to develop Suncadia, a fully entitled master-planned community in Washington State. The 6,300-acre destination resort is located in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains near Roslyn, 80 miles (90 minutes) from Seattle. The project will include a village with retail, a hotel, conference facilities, a spa, villas, condominiums, 1,700 custom-lot homes and up to three golf courses. Construction began in 2002 and is expected to be completed by 2010. The first golf course, Prospector, was designed by Arnold Palmer and opened in summer of 2004. The Inn at Suncadia is a 18-room inn that is part of Suncadia. Overlooking Suncadia's 18-hole Prospector golf course, the Inn at Suncadia features custom finishes and furnishings inspired by nature and local surroundings. The Inn offers 14 guestrooms and four suites. It conveys a mining theme that reflects the historic significance of the area. It also offers such themed venues as the Gas Lamp Grille, the Canary Lounge and the Lunch Bucket. Over the past 33 years, Lowe has developed, acquired or managed more than USD 7 billion of real estate assets. http://www.loweenterprises.com/development/dadefault.html http://www.suncadia.com/ (Suncadia Real Estate Sales Company) http://www.destinationhotels.com/properties.php?id=16 (The Inn at Suncadia) Australia's Masterstroke
Australia Pty Limited: "Backyard bliss!"
It seems Garry Kennedy, Editor and Publisher of Australia's Hacker Golf Quarterly Magazine, was hooked once he wandered the main hall of the PGA Golf Show in Sydney in August 2002 and entered a fully netted pitch and putt area. There he met Brendan Rogan of Masterstroke Golfing Surfaces & Equipment, manufacturers of a special synthetic golf grass and indoor golf concept. The DIY backyard golf green kits this firm develops can be used to turn your backyard or garden into a pitch and putt course for only a few thousand dollars. The turf is made from polypropelene, while maintenance is low. Kits are available from Masterstroke that include putting grass, holes, sleeves, plugs, flag, and installation manual. They are do-it-yourself (DIY) style, with prices including installation in brackets. http://www.ausgolf.com.au/backyardbliss.htm Growing the game -- Study
expected to reveal what golfers want (Frankly Golf LLC):
In the fall of 2004, Frankly Consulting LLC invited golfers to participate in an international on-line survey designed to "Grow the Game" of golf. Frank Thomas of Frankly Conulting received more than 18,400 responses from 44 countries. Only 7% of the responses came from female participants in the survey, which is fewer than expected. Results from the study showed that most golfers prefer to play golf courses that are shorter than those presently being designed. In general, golfers overestimated the distance they drive the ball by 30 yards or more; the study found that the average male golfer drives the ball 192 yards and the average female drives it 145 yards. The study also indicated that time, cost, and difficulty are the three most important factors that cause golfers to give up the game. In light of the results from this study, some traditions such as 18-hole rounds, building of 'championship courses', and course design catering mainly to the very small percentage of elite golfers all need to be carefully re-considered. These may be having a stifling effect on the enjoyment and growth of the game. 14,420 US-based respondents expressed their preferences in course length, overall design and set-up that would adequately provide the personal challenge that attracts them to the game. In 2001, The Little Family Foundation, with the support of the National Golf Course Owners Association Foundation, commissioned Frank's conulting company to conduct a study testing the validity of a concept of course design and setup, developed by Arthur D. Little and Jann Leeming. http://www.growingthegame.org/ http://www.franklygolf.com/Press/whatgolferswant.asp http://www.growingthegame.org/documents/FinalReport.pdf (23-page PDF document) The baby boomers -- Golf's
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde:
Independent golf industry information and insight provider Pellucid Corp., a company founded by Jim Koppenhaver, recently released its most recent evaluation of the status of the game. Here's what Pellucid and Koppenhaver have to say in their complimentary Executive Summary (Vol. 5 No. 3): "Untold numbers of investments in golf in the 1990s were predicated on the golden era of golf fueled by the aging baby boomers. As the first baby boomers turn 60 this year, we're still awaiting the first signs of annual rounds increases that the Boomers should usher in (the "Dr. Jekyll effect"). In the Unauthorized State of the Industry presentation in Orlando last week, we also for the first time revealed the potential that the Baby Boomers might also have a "Mr. Hyde surprise" waiting for us as well. There is no refuting that golf is a game of discretionary time and money. The discretionary time aspect of golf is evidenced by the fact that golfers over the age of 55 play at 2x the frequency of their <55 year old counterparts. Moreover, this increased frequency doesn't happen immediately at 55, it gradually increases peaking between 65 and 75 and then trailing off again above 75..." Jim goes on to note that the next issue of his bi-weekly Outside The Ropes newsletter will focus on the potential "Mr. Hyde" aspect of a large group of savvy seniors entering their peak frequency years. He believes the industry will potentially lean into that curve ball by offering more and broader senior programs (lower age, discounts across all rate types, more leagues etc.) to the group that will be responsible for over 50% of all rounds in the U.S. by 2020!" http://www.cybergolf.com/news/golfnews3713.asp http://www.pellucidcorp.com/ NGCOA Financial Benchmark
Programme for Competitive Golf Marketplaces:
This confidential report tracks
rounds, golf revenue against competitive courses in each marketplace. The
National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA), in response to its members, has
developed an on-line Financial Benchmark Programme to collect, aggregate and
analyse certain golf course operational data critical to all golf course
operations. The NGCOA has contracted the expertise of golf research company Golf
Datatech, LLC, to develop the Financial Benchmark Programme, enlist participants
and operate the on-line reports. The NGCOA welcomes new courses to the
programme's existing Competitive Golf Marketplaces (CGMs), while a free
six-month trial membership is being offered.
http://www.golfdatatechcgm.com/ Golf Datatech,
LLC:
Established in 1995, Golf Datatech was formed to provide the golf industry with specialised market research covering retail sales, inventory, pricing and distribution, along with consumer attitude and usage studies and strategic sales and marketing consulting. The company is owned and managed by industry veterans John Krzynowek, Dave Overmyer and Tom Stine. http://www.golfdatatech.com/ Today marked the end of the
USD 2.3 million, 2006 Johnnie Walker Classic:
American Kevin Stadler stepped out of his father's shadow today as he joined the list of celebrated winners of the Johnnie Walker Classic with a two-stroke triumph over Australian Nick O'Hern. Tri-sanctioned by the Asian Tour, European Tour and Australasian Tour and supported by the Western Australian Government through EventsCorp, a division of Tourism Western Australia, the 2006 Johnnie Walker Classic took place at The Vines Resort and Country Club in Perth, from February 8-12. http://www.johnniewalkerclassic.com/2005johnniewalkerclassic.htm Various aspects of the Rules
of Golf to be discussed in St. Andrews by "new nations":
The annual Referees School to be run by The R&A in St. Andrews from February 14-17 (this week) has attracted applications from golfing countries around the world and will mark the first time that representatives from Mauritius, Qatar, Romania, Russia and Zambia have attended. Delegates will take part in presentations and group discussions on various aspects of the Rules of Golf. The three-day school includes an examination. http://www.randa.org/index.cfm?cfid=2206098&cftoken=34919151&action=news.newsDetail&newsid=666&id OGRO 2006 Golf Range
Conference and Exhibition, UK:
The Organisation of Golf Range Owners (OGRO) will be hosting the 2006 Golf Range Conference & Exhibition on March 16 at the Ramada Jarvis Hotel, Maidstone in the UK. OGRO is the only organisation representing golf range, golf centre owners and operators in the UK and Europe. Membership is free to UK range owners and operators. http://www.ogro.org/ http://www.ogro.org/conf_june05.htm 1st Aegean Airlines Pro-Am: inaugural, PGAs of Europe-endorsed Aegean Airlines Pro-Am, Hersonissos, Crete, Greece (June 2-4, 2006):
Aegean Airlines SA, in association with Crete Golf SA and The Crete Golf Club, is offering golfers you the chance to compete in the 1st Aegean Airlines Pro-Am, endorsed by The PGAs of Europe, and fully supported by The PGA of Greece and the Hellenic Golf Federation. Aegean Airlines, one of Greece's leading privately-owned airlines, is the creator and major sponsor of this Pro-Am, which will take place between June 2-4, 2006. The 1st Aegean Airlines Pro-Am is your chance to sample Desert Golf at its best. http://www.invgolf.com/aegean_proam_crete.htm Unofficial site pays tribute
to the Bushmill Malt Causeway Coast Golf Tournament, Northern
Ireland:
The Bushmills Malt Causeway Coast Amateur Golf Tournament Tribute Web site pays tribute to an amateur golf tournament which takes place annually on the glorious Causeway coast in County Antrim in Northern Ireland. The tournament is the Bushmills Malt Causeway Coast amateur golf tournament (formerly known as the Black Bush golf tournament). The site is a story of a group of golf mad Scotsmen who travel over from Scotland every year to compete in this special event. The golfers are all from Bannockburn and and the surrounding area of Central Scotland. For all enquiries for the 2006 tournament contact the tournament director Jackie Graham. To avoid disappointment apply early,as it is oversubscribed every year. http://www.blackbushgolf.com/ http://www.blackbushgolf.com/apply.html 2006 American Century
Championship / 2006 Tahoe Celebrity Golf Week:
This is a NBC Sports nationally televised annual event featuring 70+ sports and entertainment celebreties. The 2006 Tournament is scheduled for July 11-16. http://www.tahoecelebritygolf.com/ http://www.tahoecelebritygolf.com/NewContest.html (win a trip to the 2006 American Century Championship at Lake Tahoe) Shoregate Golf Club, Ocean
View, New Jersey, USA (18-hole course designed by Golfplan - Fream &
Dale):
"For years, California-based Ron Fream, the Johnny Appleseed of golf design, has been sending postcards to Golf Magazine updating his latest projects in the far corners of the globe. Korea. Nepal. Bali. Argentina. Even Disneyland Paris, but generally the more exotic the better. After decades of globetrotting, Ron landed in South Jersey 30 minutes outside Atlantic City, where the Turner family, owners of a nearby campground, asked him to have a look at their 245-acre parcel. Won over by the designer's enthusiasm, Ron was cut loose on land that was beach and dunes eons ago. After massaging the site with bulldozers to displace 450,000 cubic yards of sand, Ron produced the boldest and most extroverted lay-out imaginable. At full stretch, Shore Gate is a dynamic, visually initimidating world-bearer designed to drain the plaid from a duffer's knickers." (Golf Magazine). Shore Gate Golf Club in Ocean View, NJ was selected to Golf Magazine's "Top Ten Courses You Can Play" in 2003. Shore Gate has gained the attention of players and critics thanks to some 88 bunkers, seven ponds, and a vast fescue-fringed waste area that commands a golfer's attention. If you like looking at photographs, you'll love looking at Golfplan's Shore Gate photo gallery with beautiful pics: http://www.golfplan.com/Shoregate/shoregategallery.htm http://www.golfplan.com/Shoregate/shoregategallery2.htm http://www.golfplan.com/Shoregate/shoregategallery3.htm http://www.golfplan.com/Shoregate/shoregategallery4.htm http://www.golfplan.com/Shoregate/shoregategallery5.htm http://www.golfplan.com/shoregate_golf_magazine.htm http://www.shoregategolfclub.com/ Benefits to the community and
environment -- from an Australian golf course architect's
perspective:
Golf courses are contiguous with green belts and compatible land uses such as sporting reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, wetlands and forest. In this way golf courses preserve, protect and enhance flora and fauna. Golf Courses also serve as a 'buffer' between sensitive natural environments and cities and industrial areas. Well-designed golf courses can benefit the community and environment. Australia boasts some 1,500 golf courses of which a large number occur within urban environments, occupying approximately 100,000 hectares of land. This is a similar area to greater Melbourne and a substantial area preserved as open space at a time when parks and gardens are constantly under pressure of being 'concreted over'. http://www.sagca.org.au/environment.asp http://www.sagca.org.au/magazine.asp (the Society of Australian Golf Course Architects' Golf Architecture magazine) Buenavista Golf, Isla Baja,
Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain (18 holes, par 72, 6,150
metres):
Venue for the LPGA Tenerife Ladies Open of 2004, Buenavista Golf is one of the most impressive new golf courses in the Canary Islands commanding spectacular views of the ocean and La Gomera. The course in Buenavista del Norte is located in the extreme North-East of Tenerife, in an area known as Isla Baja. The area is characterised by a mild climate all year round, without violent changes between the different seasons of the year. Teno features some of the most emblematic spots and landscapes of Tenerife, such as the hamlet of Masca. The golf course is surrounded by the Teno mountain range, a natural protected space and the Atlantic Ocean. I love the "feel", colours and photos of this site. Very nice design. The 18-hole Buenavista Golf course was designed by Trajectory, Seve's Santander, Spain-based company, and opened in October 2003. What's more, Buenavista Golf has obtained ISO 14001 certification in its commitment to minimise the negative aspects and impacts of the course on the environment. To protect the indigenous flora, Buenavista Golf integrates the natural tracks within the golf course and "maintains rare species such as the Limonium Fructicans", according to the site. The Web site is proud to mention that Buenavista has reintroduced the "Aguila Pescadora" eagle (an endangered species) and is promoting the area as a resting place for migratory birds. I found this excellent site while visting Seve Ballesteros' home page. Seve's site includes a very interesting bio of 11 pages and is written in both English and Spanish. Clicking on the "Buenavista Golf Isla Baja - Tenerife" logo on Seve's English-language home page, one will realise that the logo is hyperlinked to an incorrect site ( http://168.144.176.53/index.asp ) advertising TR KEBA Fastenings Ltd., an Istanbul, Turkey-based company. I'm quite positive this is an unintentional error by the Webmaster of Seve's official site... http://www.buenavistagolf.es/ http://www.seveballesteros.com/ing/main.htm http://www.seveballesteros.com/ing/trayectory/marcos.htm (Trajectory) http://www.tenerifegolf.es/campos.asp?idcat=106&idasoc=327&idexpl=761&idioma=2 Course management best
practice guidelines:
The R&A definition of sustainability in relation to golf course development and management is: "Optimising the playing quality of the golf course in harmony with the conservation of its natural environment under economically sound and socially responsible management." Sustainable development and management is fundamental to the future success of golf and to achieving The R&A’s goal of having more people playing more golf on more facilities in more countries. Sustainability can only be achieved through the implementation of best practice and is only as flexible as the single limiting factor in its definition which applies to any specific site which, more often than not, will be environmental or economic considerations. "The challenge for golf is to maintain course quality and playability while respecting and positively contributing to the social and natural environment." -- Peter Dawson, Chief Executive, The R&A, Scotland. Be aware that this is a secure (https:) site, which is produced by the Golf Course Committee of R&A Rules Limited. "Golf course management, based on best practice, can be a positive influence on the environment... English Nature also recognise that courses have a special wildlife designation because of their historical management as golf courses and not despite this fact. Having said this, golf is neither inherently good, nor inherently bad for the environment. Its impact is dependent on the detail of individual courses and the way they are developed and managed." https://www.bestcourseforgolf.org/ https://www.bestcourseforgolf.org/content/environment https://www.bestcourseforgolf.org/content/environment/the_sustainable The European Tour agrees
environmental action plan for the Ryder Cup 2006:
As part of the European Tour's ongoing commitment towards environmental responsibility, it has agreed to run a range of environmental activities in the planning and operation of next years Ryder Cup at The K-Club. The work will be coordinated by Committed to Green. This builds on previous excellent initiatives at Valderrama in 1997 and The Belfry in 2002. The main areas of attention are transport, waste management, communicating an environmental message and protecting the site. The K-Club themselves are keen to dovetail the environmental activities for the event with their own ongoing environmental management programme. It is anticipated that the Golfing Union of Ireland, the GCSAI, Failte Ireland, the Irish Heritage Service and Race Against Waste will also feed into, and benefit from, the project, as they are already working together in Ireland on golf environmental issues. The Committed to Green Foundation, through the European Forum for Sustainable Golf (EFSG), provides a 'portal' between the golf sector and environmental interests. http://www.egcoa.org/images/stories/FOReUM%202.doc http://www.committedtogreen.com/guidelines/rydercup.html http://www.rydercup2006.ie/default.asp?flash=y
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Introduction to Peter Michel Heilmann's The Wor(l)d of Golf and First Column & Launch Pad (February 5-11, 2006) As a Dutchman growing up in Africa, I was introduced to the game of golf at the age of nine by my neighbours in Ndola, Zambia, who gave me my first club as a special gift. Just over a quarter of a century later, I decided to launch "The Wor(l)d of Golf," a weekly on-line bulletin and launch pad written exclusively for BuffaloGolfer.Com. Designed for players and non-players alike as well as for those interested in learning more about the world of golf, "The Wor(l)d of Golf" aims to spread the word of golf locally and globally, and is divided into the following six sections: 1. Golf courses, resorts and residential golf communities world-wide; 2. Golf lifestyle and real estate investments; 3. Facts and stats about the world of golf; 4. Upcoming conferences, exhibitions, events, forums and tournaments; 5. Golf course design and development; and 6. Sustainable development. If you wish to propose a site or would like to share your comments, ideas, suggestions, etc. with me, please send a short message to buffalogolfer@buffalogolfer.com for the attention of Peter Michel Heilmann. Keep in touch with the Dutch! Peter Michel Heilmann http://www.invgolf.com/bio_heilmann.htm ScottishGolf: If you want to know more about Scottish golf -- from courses/links to visitor info and from news to features -- this site can be really useful. All across the country, from Aberdeen Kings Links to Whitemoss in Perthshire, you can find out location, directions, prices, facilities, such as shops and driving ranges, and you can even search for local amenities such as accommodation and restaurants. http://www.scottishgolf.com/ ScottishGolf also offers 'play and stay' deals, although these golf and accommodation deals are currently still dated 2005. http://www.scottishgolf.com/hot_deals/hot_deals_index.html ScottishGolf's "Glossary of Golf" is also quite interesting. What exactly is (or was) a baffy; can a grass bunker, by definition, really exist; why do we shout 'Fore' to warn other golfers of potential danger; and what does "Yips" mean [an uncontrollable twitching, caused by nerves, which affects golfers when putting or chipping]? All these, and many more questions are answered and terms defined. http://www.scottishgolf.com/glossary/glossary_index.html Pula Golf, Mallorca: In 2004 and 2005, 12 holes of the Pula Golf course on Mallorca off the east coast of Spain, the largest in the Balearic island group, were redesigned by PGA Tour player Jose Maria Olazabal, who is sometimes called "Chemma" -- a short way to say Jose Maria in Spanish. The course has been transformed into the longest and most demanding one on the Mediterranean island (par 70, 6,208 metres). http://www.pulagolf.com/ "Happy birthday, Chemma!": Talking about Double Masters Champion Jose Maria Olazabal, it is his 40th birthday today (he was born February 5, 1966 in Fuenterrabia, Spain)... Jose was born on the day after a golf course opened next door (Real Golf Club de San Sebastian, an 18-hole par 71 course located in the Basque Country) where his grandfather was greenkeeper. His mother and father also worked there. When his grandfather died, Jose's father, Gaspar, took his place as greenkeeper. Already at the age of 2, the 2002 Buick Invitational champion used a club to hit balls. His mother would take him out on a golf course late in the afternoon starting at age 6... http://www.pgatour.com/players/intro/238089 http://www.pgatour.com/players/stats/238089/2006 http://www.macgregorgolf.com/tour/tour_display.aspx?s=p&b=jo The Dudsbury Golf Club, Bournemouth: Set in 160 acres with panoramic views of the Stour Valley, Dudsbury has some of the most spectacular countryside on view in Dorset. The club is a high-quality 18-hole proprietary members club which has hosted the West Region PGA Order of Merit 1995-2004, the PGA EUROPRO Tournament 2001-2002 and the EGU McGregor Trophy. Last month, Savills Golf announced the sale of this club to local entrepreneurs David and Beate Braban, who intend taking the club forward by refurbishing the clubhouse to include a high-class restaurant and piano bar with live music five nights a week and on Sunday lunchtimes. The restaurant and piano bar will be open to the general public. A further restaurant situated downstairs in the clubhouse will serve breakfast on a daily basis and a carvery. Subject to planning permission, the new owners hope to build a 40-bed luxury hotel with spa and fitness facilities. http://www.thedudsbury.co.uk/ http://www.savills.co.uk/golfsite/ The Golfers Guide to Ireland - 2006: Portside Media in association with Failte Ireland/Tourism Ireland are proud producers of The Official Golfers Guide to Ireland. This is the 16th edition of the magazine. Within this Web site, you will find all you need to know about planning your Irish Golf vacation. http://www.golfersguide.ie/ Finest Golf Resorts Collection: This is an international selection of 50 magnificent destinations where the historic traditions of the game are promoted scrupulously in environments which combine pure luxury with the very highest standards of service. The 50 resorts which have been honoured with inclusion in the Finest Golf Resorts Collection range from such Old World European venues as the Royal Park Evian on the banks of Lake Geneva or the Old Course Hotel at St Andrews, the Home of Golf, to the subtle oriental charms of Bintan Lagoon, the New World grandeur of The Phoenician in Arizona's Valley of the Sun and the wild, rugged beauty of Sun City in southern Africa. http://www.finestgolfresorts.com/ The Eden Club, St. Andrews, Scotland: This is an international private members club based at St. Andrews in Scotland. It acts as the home of the association (The Finest Golf Clubs of the World) providing members from clubs around the world with facilities and services consistent with those they would experience in one of the finest private clubs. The club's founder and Chairman is Londoner Tom Lawrence. http://www.finestgolfclubs.com/html/membership_benefits/edenclub.html http://www.finestgolfclubs.com/html/ec/club.html http://www.cigaraficionado.com/Cigar/CA_Archives/CA_Show_Article/0,2322,1506,00.html "Help me Moke!": Plan a trip to the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows and play unlimited golf on two distinctly Hawaiian courses. Mauna Lani's North Course, built on a lava bed, features rolling terrain punctuated by Kiawe (mesquite) forests. Be prepared to negotiate such natural hazards as trees and wild goats that wander from hole to hole throughout the day. The South Course, set against a picture-perfect panorama of mountain and ocean, winds through a rugged and mysterious prehistoric lava flow. Local legend has it that the latter hazard can be avoided through the intervention of its pixie-like resident, a Menehune named Moke. Once a shot is hit into the lava fields, don't swear, but instead yell "Help, Moke!" With his help, your ball just might miraculously bounce back onto the fairway. http://www.travelandleisure.com/tlgolf/deals/ Golf in Bermuda: Golfers have always been drawn to Bermuda's unique beauty, comfortable climate, and sophisticated array of before-and-after-game activities. But the greatest attractions are the courses themselves: Belmont Hills Golf Club (18-hole resort golf course), The Fairmont Southampton Princess Golf Club (18-hole, par-3, 2,684-yard course), the Mid Ocean Club (6,512-yard championship course), Ocean View Golf Course (9-hole, 2,940-yard, government-run, public golf course), Port Royal Golf Course (government-run, public championship course), Riddell's Bay Golf & Country Club\ (resort course), St. George's Golf Course (18-hole, 4,043-yard course), Tucker's Point Golf, Beach and Tennis Club (18-hole, 6,440-yard championship course that forms part of Bermuda's newest luxury resort, private club and residential community), and Bermuda Golf Academy (320-yard driving range and the island's only mini golf course). http://www.bermudatourism.com/golf/ http://www.bermudagolf.org/ The Fairmont Southampton: Perched royally on Bermuda's highest point on the southern shore, The Fairmont Southampton overlooks 100 acres of pink sandy beaches and bountiful gardens. Since its opening in 1972, it has been the island's premier luxury resort, featuring 593 guest rooms and suites, each with a private balcony and incredible views of the ocean, the harbour or the golf course. It's a place to discover old world British charm blended with The New Spirit of the island. http://www.fairmont.com/southampton/ http://www.fairmont.com/FA/en/CDA/Home/Hotels/Facilities/CDRestaurantDetail/0,1130,facility%25255Fcode% 253DREST%252B%2526property%25255Fcd%253DSHP%2526property%25255Fseq%253D100135%2526facility%25255Fseq%253D45143491,00.html http://www.fairmont.com/FA/en/CDA/Home/Activities/CDResortActivity/0,7300,code%25255Ftype%253DGOLF%2526category%25255Ftype%253Dactv %25255Ftype%2526property%25255Fseq%253D100135,00.html Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Inc.: The Fairmont Southampton is part of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Inc. (FHR), a leading owner/operator of luxury hotels and resorts. FHR's managed portfolio consists of 87 luxury and first-class properties with approximately 34,000 guestrooms in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, Barbados, United Kingdom, Monaco, Kenya and the United Arab Emirates as well as two vacation ownership properties managed by Fairmont Heritage Place. Earlier this week, FHR announced an agreement to be acquired by Kingdom Hotels International and Colony Capital, LLC. The total value of this transaction, including debt and the combination with Raffles Hotels & Resorts, is expected to be approximately USD 5.5 billion (or USD 3.9 billion, without giving effect to the Raffles combination). http://www.fairmont.com/FA/en/CDA/Home/PressRoom/CDPressRoomDetails/0,1099,code%25255Ftype%253DPRESS%2526article%25255Fseq %253D77910729%2526brandCD%253DFA%2526pr%25255Fflag%253D1,00.html "I'm Tom Barrack and I'm getting out": Investors, take heed. Barrack may be an amateur in polo, but when it comes to judging markets, he's the ultimate pro. Arguably the best real estate investor on the planet today, he runs a USD 25 billion portfolio of trophy assets, from the Raffles hotel chain in Asia to the Aga Khan's former resort in Sardinia (Costa Smeralda) to Resorts International, the largest private gaming company in the U.S. Barrack's Colony Capital of Los Angeles, one of the largest private-equity firms devoted solely to real estate, has racked up returns of 21% annually since 1990, handing investors, chiefly pension funds and college endowments, 17% after all fees. Barrack has done deals with Saudi princes, Texas oilmen, a Caribbean dictator -- even with Donald Trump. http://www.colonyinc.com/news/2005.html#Fortune Donald Trump to invest in Scotland? Talking about Donald Trump, according to Golf Business News (January 23, 2006), there are several credible reports that he is planning to build his first course in Europe and that the location for what will undoubtedly be a world-class development, possibly including housing, is likely to be in the area around Aberdeen, Scotland. Trump's mother was born in Scotland and he has a strong affection for her homeland as well as for the game of golf. It is understood that Trump met Jack McConnell, Scotland's First Minister, at Trump Tower in Manhattan in October 2005 and indicated that he wished to build a course as part of a leisure development in Scotland, although no site has yet been confirmed. http://www.golfbusinessnews.com/news/news.asp?storyid=2725 http://www.trumpgolf.com/ Golf Research Group, USA/UK: "Least expensive course: USD 15,000 for 9 holes near London; most expensive course: USD 250 million in the mountains of Japan." These and numerous other facts and interesting statistics can be found on the Web site of Golf Research Group (GRG), a business information consultancy and an international publisher of authoritative reports on the golfing industry. At the heart of GRG is the world's most comprehensive database of golf courses. http://www.golf-research-group.com/ First-ever survey of gender relations in golf: "79% of men and 85% of women are concerned about their appearances on the course." That's what Golf Digest and Golf For Women magazines found when they conducted a gender survey exploring the behaviour of male and female golfers. The on-line survey was voted on by 2,262 men and 2,440 women. The survey asked: "You have the opportunity to play Augusta National, but in exchange you will have to abstain from sex for one year. Do you accept the tee time?" Of the respondents, 32% of men and 31% of women wanted the tee time. The survey will appear in the March 2006 edition of Golf Digest and in the March/April 2006 edition of Golf For Women. http://www.usatoday.com/sports/golf/2006-01-30-augusta_x.htm http://www.golfdigest.com/gfw/gender/ http://www.golfdigest.com/pdf/gendersurvey_march.pdf (an 8-page PDF document containing the complete survey results) More golfers play less, according to Sports Marketing Surveys, UK: "Whilst the total number of adults who have played golf in the past 12 months has increased by some 5% to a total of 3,950,000, there has been a sharp decrease in Avid Golfers (those who play once a week or more) and Regular Golfers (who play once a month or more) have remained static. This suggests that Avids have reduced their play frequency and become Regular players -- and that a significant proportion of Regular players have downgraded to the occasional category. Within these numbers it seems women are playing more frequently and that the decline is among the male population." This was revealed last month by Sports Marketing Surveys Ltd., an independent research agency based South West of London and specialising in the sponsorship and sports sectors, including golf. http://www.sportcentric.com/vsite/vcontent/content/transnews/0,10869,5045-145501-19728-28701-224952--5042-layout93-162717-news-item,00.html III Russian Winter Cup / Russian Golf Week 2006, Santa Ponsa, Mallorca: The Third Russian Winter Cup is scheduled to take place February 8-12, 2006. An annual golf tournament held on the isle of Mallorca under the auspices of the Russian Golf Association, this event initially started in Russia as a charity tournament for underprivileged children, at the initiative of Her Royal Highness Princess Birgitta of Sweden. The Russian Golf Week 2006 will also include the Russian Golf Development Conference. http://www.rusgolf.ru/eng-broschure.pdf (4-page PDF document) Golf Industry Show, Atlanta, Ga.: To be held February 9-11, 2006, more than 22,000 golf industry professionals are expected to attend this year's show, which will feature approximately 850 exhibitors. In addition, a number of special features have been designed to enhance the show experience for attendees. Showcased on the floor will be six "solution centres" focused on a particular area of golf facility management, each offering interactive demonstrations, presentations and case studies by industry experts, and informative displays. Along with the show, the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) and the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) will be presenting their annual education conferences -- GCSAA's Education Conference will take place February 6-11, while NGCOA's Solutions Summit will be held February 7-10. http://www.golfindustryshow.com/ http://www.gcsaa.org/news/releases/2005/oct/ConfShowMovesAtlanta.asp EastGreens 2005, Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic: This international conference (EastGreens 2005, and not 2006, according to the Czech organisers) on golf course design, construction and marketing will take place on February 20-21, 2006 in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic. The two-day event will focus on potential investors, golf course operators and representatives of the public sector, who are participating on the development of golf sport and tourism. http://www.golfbusinessnews.com/news/news.asp?storyid=2745 Southern Ports Golf Week 2006, Kingston SE, South Australia: The Southern Ports Golf Week (February 25, 2006 to March 4, 2006) is a tournament catering for golfers who have an official handicap. The week consists of three days of stroke play golf played on each course during the week. Golfers are divided into three grades of both men and ladies. Ladies play in the AM and men in the PM. Players play both for daily prizes and for a overall championship trophy for a 54-hole championship in each grade. The local seafood and wines help make this week a very enjoyable week for about 400 players from 50 different golf clubs. http://www.check-in.com.au/Limestone_Coast/Southern_Ports_Golf_Week_2006.htm http://www.touristaustralia.com.au/destinations/southaustralia/eventdetails.asp?product_id=9031004 http://www.about-australia.com/events/south-australia/limestone-coast/events/sport/southern-ports-golf-week-2006/index.php The Golf Show, Dublin, Ireland: The Golfers Guide to Ireland in collaboration with Golf Digest and Failte Ireland are the organisers of 'The Golf Show,' a major golfing promo show to be held in the RDS (Royal Dublin Society) in Ballsbridge in the heart of Dublin this St. Patrick's weekend, March 16-19, 2006. http://www.portsidemedia.ie/events.html Travel + Leisure Golf Players Championship presented by Bermuda Tourism, The Fairmont Southampton, Bermuda: If you're a competitive golfer with an officially-recognised handicap, plan to join T+L Golf on the beautiful island of Bermuda this spring for an exclusive event designed for passionate golf travellers. This 54-hole stroke play tournament will be contested over three of Bermuda's top courses March 30-April 4, 2006. Entries are now being accepted. http://www.tlgolfmarketing.com/bermuda/ Gaunt and Marnoch divorce: Golf course architects Steve Marnoch and Jonathan C. Gaunt of Bakewell, Derbyshire-based Gaunt & Marnoch Ltd. are to cease working together. Their golf course architecture practice, Gaunt and Marnoch Ltd., is therefore in the process of being wound down over the next 12 months. After eight busy and successful years in business together, designing and building golf courses throughout the UK and Europe, Steve Marnoch and Jonathan Jonathan Gaunt have agreed to go their separate ways. From March 1, 2006, Gaunt's new independent limited company -- Gaunt Golf Design Ltd. -- will come into operation and get a new Web site. http://www.gauntandmarnoch.com/ Iceland-Florida partnership: Edwin Roald of Reykjavik-based Edwin Roald Golf Design has formed a partnership with U.S. golf designer Tom Pearson of Pearson Golf Design in North Palm Beach, Florida. The Icelandic and U.S. golf course architects aim to join forces mostly on the European continent and have expressed a keen interest in working on golf course developments in the Icelandic as well as emerging, up-and-coming European golf destinations. http://www.golfvellir.is/index.jsp?ib_page=61 http://www.pearsongolfdesign.com/news.html Black Knight International in Asia: Amid China's growing demand for luxury and lifestyle brands, internationally-renowned golf legend Gary Player has formed a joint venture with one of Asia's most successful businessman, Stan Shih, co-founder and Chairman Emeritus of the Acer Group, a USD 22.2 billion technology and PC vendor. Shih is recognized around the world, particularly in Asia, for his achievements in building a brand business and for his unique management models. In a BusinessWeek article published in July 2004, Stan Shih has been quoted as saying: "Chinese always try to work until they can't anymore. I don't think this is right. I want to be a role model." http://www.garyplayer.com/newsLatest.asp#0 http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/04_28/b3891415.htm Fairmont Turks & Caicos expected to open in 2009: Last month, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Inc. and The Wight Group, together with their Belonger partners, announced the development of a master planned mixed-use luxury resort on the west coast of North Caicos in the Turks & Caicos Islands. The Fairmont Turks & Caicos is expected to open in 2009. The development will be located on the western side of North Caicos Island, across from Parrot Cay. Fairmont will manage the 150-room resort, a 150-room condo hotel and several Fairmont branded residential developments including Fairmont Heritage Place. A wide-range of leisure activities will also be available, with the project including an 18-hole championship golf course, tennis courts and a marina, in addition to a Willow Stream spa -- Fairmont's award-winning branded spa product. http://www.fairmont.com/FA/en/CDA/Home/PressRoom/CDPressRoomDetails/0,1099,code%25255Ftype%253DPRESS%2526article%25255Fseq %253D77901873%2526brandCD%253DFA%2526pr%25255Fflag%253D1,00.html Palmer Course Design Co. celebrates 35 years: Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida-based golf course architectural practice Palmer Course Design is celebrating its 35th year creating memorable designs throughout the world. The Palmer Course Design has been involved in over 300 golf course projects covering 36 states, as well as internationally in Japan, Thailand, Korea, China, Taiwan, The Philippines, Guam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Spain, France, Australia, Canada, Kazakhstan, Portugal, Costa Rica, and India. The Palmer Course Design team has also been busy readying its course at The K Club in Straffan, County Kildare, Ireland for the 36th Ryder Cup Matches on September 22-24, 2006. http://www.palmerdesign.com/ Committed to Green Foundation: The Foundation is a UK-based independent, not-for-profit organisation with the aim of promoting environmental sustainability in golf. Last year it launched a new flagship initiative to support the European golf sector in the field of environment and sustainable development. The European Forum for Sustainable Golf (EFSG) enables a 'community' of stakeholders to participate in discussion and information exchange on environmental and sustainable development issues facing golf across Europe. The Foundation's Executive Director is Scotsman Jonathan Smith. http://www.committedtogreen.org/ http://www.committedtogreen.org/pdf/efsg_strength_weakness.pdf (a 5-page PDF document created by EFSG containing an interesting review that looks at golf's strengths and weaknesses) Scottish golf and the environment: There are more than 500 golf courses in Scotland. That's more than 500 permanent green areas, which can be important sanctuaries for plants and wildlife. The Scottish Golf Course Wildlife Group's Web site provides information on environmental issues and how they relate to golf in Scotland. An increasing number of new developments are taking environmental protection and enhancement seriously. The site is supposed to feature several case studies on the Duke's Course, St. Andrews (Fife), Craibstone Golf Course (Aberdeen), Loch Lomond Golf Course, Pumpherston Golf Course (West Lothian) and Elmwood Golf Course (Fife). Unfortunately, the case studies page leads to "dead" links. http://www.scottishgolf.com/environment/ A "greener" golf course in Illinois: The grass on the golf course at the North Shore Country Club in Glenview, Illinois, not only looks green, but it uses "green" methods to keep it that way. Instead of chemical fertilisers and pesticides, the club uses a 50-50 mix of nutrient-rich biosolids from the Chicago Metropolitan Sanitary Sewer District and compost made from yard waste to keep the greens healthy and aesthetically pleasing. The North Shore Country Club also resolved to improve water quality and aesthetics through erosion control and bank stabilisation on three ponds. Now there are quality aquatic inhabitants and better water conditions. http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/green/projects/nscclub.htm http://www.jacobsongolfcoursedesign.com/northshore.htm http://www.eifg.org/portal/portal/item_abstract.aspx?item_id=152¶ms=P21lbnVfdHlwZT1jYXRlZ29yeSZpZGVudGlmaWVyPTE= (3-page PDF document)
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| Launch Pad #1-February 5-11, 2006 |
This week, The Wor(l)d
of Golf launches its first launch pad.
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| Launch Pad #2-February 12-18, 2006 |
This week, The Wor(l)d of Golf
brings you a number of interesting official and unofficial sites on the
Web. Since this is a newly-launched on-line column and launch pad, I look
forward to receiving your feedback. Have a great week and, on February
14, a Happy Valentine's Day. Keep in touch with the Dutch!
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| Launch Pad #3-February 19-25, 2006 |
This week, The Wor(l)d of Golf
would like to share with you a number of exciting golf, real estate and
lifestyle-related URLs. Watch out for a five-year-old
golfing prodigy from Scotland and new kid on the block who is
known by the name of tiny tiger cub.
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| Launch Pad #4-February 26-March 4, 2006 |
This week's The Wor(l)d of Golf column and launch pad has a heavy emphasis on Scotland and the USA, although South Africa, Turkey and Ireland have also been mentioned.
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In January 2006, Sandy Lie stepped aside as BuffaloGolfer.Com added its first international correspondent. Peter Michel
Heilmann's weekly column and launch pad emphasise the global essence of the
Internet. Click here for
original Sandy Lie searches.
Disclaimer: BuffaloGolfer.Com and Peter Michel Heilmann are not responsible for the content of external sites. None of the sites listed in "The Wor(l)d of Golf"
are sponsored links.
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