Peter Michel Heilmann's The Wor(l)d of Golf / Archives

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/

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/

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

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

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

Index of The Wor(l)d of Golf Launch Pads
Launch Pad #1-February 5-11, 2006	This week, The Wor(l)d of Golf launches its first launch pad.
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!`
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.`
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.`