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

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. His entire name is Reece Matthew Campbell Murphy (Reece is Welsh, Matthew is English, Campbell is Scottish and Murphy is Irish), a mouthful to some but a statement from him. Born in Glasgow on March 21, 2000, the tiny tiger cub has a quality within to bring people together and his name represents that. The world is full of kids aspiring to be their golfing heroes. The difference between them and the tiny tiger cub is he wants to be himself on and off the course and wants "to beat all of the golfing stars of today".

Hakadal Golf Club, Norway (27 holes of construction in progress -- planned for the end of this year): On a fine day in August the first ever Club Championship took place at the Hakadal Golf Club, 40 km. north of Oslo. The 27-hole project is being built in three phases - nine holes per year. Seeding of the second phase is now almost finished and everyone is looking forward to playing next year’s Club Championship on 18 holes. The Jeremy Pern designed project is due for completion at the end of 2006. "The site is the most magnificent one could hope for. The general views and variety of landscape both inside and outside of the site far exceed anything I've seen around Oslo. Forest, rivers, streams, lakes and old pastureland combine to make a breathtaking place to create a really great course. The 18-hole main course is a par 72 course around 6,400 metres long and snakes around the south facing and very sunny site. Some blasting was necessary to remove a few thousand cubic metres of granite, but apart from that we've fitted in the course with very little disruption. The first nine holes opened recently include five holes of the short course and four holes of the main course. The short course has been designed with beginners in mind and is proving to be a great success." Jeremy Pern was born in Britain in 1950, the son of an army officer. From the age of 6 he grew up on a farm in East Sussex. Jeremy, who moved to France in 1986, is now based in the French Saint-Paul sur Save. http://www.gcni.co.uk/issues1.htm http://www.jeremypern.com/index-gb.htm

Sahara Golf & Country Club, Kuwait's first grass course and country club, welcomed its first golfers: Sahara Golf & Country Club, Kuwait’s first grass golf course, has welcomed its first golfers. The Peter Harradine designed golf course, which is managed by PGA Golf Management, provides Kuwait with a world-class golf and leisure facility. Sahara Golf and Country Club includes an 18 hole, 6,700 yard, par 70 championship golf course designed by Swiss golf course architect Peter Harradine and will be fully floodlit for night golf. A Golf Academy will allow PGA Golf Management to create initiatives to help develop the game of golf in the region. The golf course and academy are now open, with the luxury 8,000-square-metre clubhouse opening in 2006. Along with a well-appointed golf and leisure retail shop luxury changing facilities, the Club provides ladies only health and fitness facilities as well as mixed facilities. Racquet sports are also available with tennis and squash courts. There are also a number of food and beverage outlets and small business centre for the anticipated corporate clientele. Abdul Rahman Bahman, Chairman and Managing Director of the owning company stated, "We are providing world-class facilities at Sahara Golf & Country Club and are firmly putting Kuwait onto the golfing map." http://www.pgagm.com/prhtml/sahara1.html

Lost Canyons Golf Club, Simi Valley, California: This golf club is Ventura County's only 36-hole public golf facility. Designed by golf course architect Pete Dye with consulting help from Masters Champion Fred Couples, Lost Canyons features 36 championship holes that flow through the Santa Susana Mountains provide the golfer with panoramic views. Lost Canyons is located in Simi Valley off the 118 Freeway just minutes from downtown Los Angeles. The Sky and Shadow Courses at Lost Canyons have been recognised as "Top 10 Best New Courses" by Golf Magazine (2001 Sky and 2002 Shadow). The Sky Course at Lost Canyons Golf Club has just received several changes to its lay-out from Masters Champion Fred Couples. The ever-changing combination of light and shadows add to the beauty and enjoyment of the challenging Shadow Course at Lost Canyons. http://www.lostcanyons.com/ [Map]

Trump National Golf Club, Los Angeles (Ocean Trails), California: Located just thirty minutes south of downtown Los Angeles on the bluffs of the Pacific Ocean, Trump National Golf Club is the third of the Trump National Golf Club courses, the only one on the West Coast and the only one open for public play. It is located on Palos Verdes Peninsula and has hosted the LPGA Office Depot Championship in early October 2005, before opening to the public. Donald Trump has said, "We wanted to build the best course in the state of California." He acquired Ocean Trails on November 26, 2002. Almost two years later, on August 18, 2004, Ocean Trails Golf Course closed for reconstruction and renovation, but clubhouse facilities remained open. He took Pete Dye's original design, consulted Tom Fazio "for about a minute and a half", scraped together nearly USD 200 million and took the design reins himself, "for the first time in history". http://www.trumpgolf.com/trumplosangeles/html/frameset.asp http://www.travelgolf.com/departments/clubhouse/donald-trump-california-top-10-golf-courses-2036.htm http://www.trumpgolf.com/trumplosangeles/html/newsroom_1205.asp

A completely renovated Corfu Golf Club, Greece: Featured in the Encyclopedia of Golf 1991 by Malcolm Campbell as one of the 19 greatest championship courses in continental Europe, the Corfu Golf Club deserves to be praised again as it has just been completely renovated. Interesting new bunkers have been dug, for example at hole 6, par 4, you will find the shape of Corfu island in the middle of a huge bunker. All of them with sand imported from the isle of Milos and the Aegean Sea. Ball washers, trash cans, lightweight hand bunker rakes and other features have been added. The fairways and greens look great, while the clubhouse underwent a major renovation. Refreshments and snacks are served until late. Other advantages of the Corfu Golf Club are the silence, the flat shape of the course which makes it relaxing and pleasant to walk, the impressive variety of rare birds one can admire, plus the lakes and water hazards that are making the game more challenging. http://www.corfugolfclub.com/ http://www.totalbusiness.org.uk/adetail.aspx?codeP=3091

"Seeing is believing" -- The Peek'n Peak Resort and Conference Centre has a new owner: Real estate developer Paul Kiebler, of Ohio, liked what he saw when he visited Peek'n Peak Resort and Conference Centre, nestled in the southern tier of western New York, about 30 miles east of Erie. As a result, he will become the resort's new owner. The price was not disclosed. Kiebler, 35, a skier, is the president of Kiebler Recreation, LLC, the majority shareholder of which is Kiebler Properties, a real estate development and management company based in Chardon, Ohio, a Cleveland suburb. The company said in a news release that it had developed more than 2,000 multi-family residential units from Cranberry to Clearwater, Florida. Kiebler started his career in real estate and development as a sophomore in high school. He borrowed USD 14,000 from his father to buy a fixer-upper, spent his summer doing exactly that and sold it for USD 40,000. "One of the things that drew me to the resort was the quality of the people," Kiebler said. "My family and I had been to Peek'n Peak many times before signing the purchase and sale agreement and never experienced anything less than a wonderful time. The level and quality of service is what you would expect from a five-star resort." http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06029/646368.stm http://www.pknpk.com/ http://www.pknpk.com/summer/ http://buffalogolfer.com/pknpkrls.pdf (2-page PDF document)

Escena Palm Springs, California: Envisioned as an "eclectic desert residential enclave", Escena Palm Springs is the first new golf course community built in the city of Palm Springs in 20 years. This gated enclave artistically captures the mystique of Palm Springs in its heyday. Residences are designed in the classic Spanish and mid-century modern architecture of historic Palm Springs. The 355-acre estate includes a 172-acre golf course plus up to 1,450 residences, both attached and detached, designed in the classic Spanish and mid-century modern architecture of historic Palm Springs. Set amidst the panoramic beauty of the desert mountains, the Escena Golf Club features a public 18-hole championship golf course (formerly the Palm Springs Classic) by Nicklaus Design with a mid-century modern clubhouse, envisioned to offer a restaurant, dining rooms, large terrace lounge and golf shop -- all managed by Troon Golf, the international upscale golf course management company. The golf course opened in November 2005, while the residences will be ready in early 2006. Escena Palm Springs is located in the heart of Palm Springs, close to downtown, east of the Palm Springs International Airport. It is a joint venture of Lennar Communities Inland and Empire Companies. Individual residential neighborhoods will be constructed by invited builders, while Lennar Homes will build the four modern-styled enclaves of Circa, Avant, Motif, and Skylar. Standard Pacific Homes will build the distinctive Spanish residences of Alcala. The development also includes a proposed hotel site. http://www.escenagolf.com/ http://www.escenagolf.com/99a3304595a3ed2e770fad7b10d99536.mnews http://www.troongolf.com/courses/escena_golf_course.php

Golden Ocala Golf and Equestrian Club, central Florida (a private community in the heart of "horse country" with an 18-hole championship course (8 replica holes)): It all began with the vision and desire of one family, the Roberts, to create a "utopian wonderland encircling an exquisite, grand home". Those who visit the Roberts' 1,100-acre horse farm estate will discover the stunning artistry of fountains, statuary, and gardens at every turn. Wishing to share this tranquil lifestyle with others, the Roberts have established a residential community echoing the ambiance of their own estate-a private sanctuary where families can enjoy horseback riding, spectacular golf, luxury homes, and superb scenery. Roby and Jennie Roberts, and their entire family, warmly invite you to join the Golden Ocala Experience for the best that life has to offer. The club boasts a number of well-known contractors such as Bullard Homes and Tommy Waters Custom Homes. A wide variety of luxurious single-family, maintenance-free or estate residences priced from the USD 400,000s to more than USD 3 million, are on offer. Golden Ocala offers you the opportunity to enjoy numerous benefits in a location just a short drive away from the area's many attractions and about an hour from Orlando. Golden Ocala's 18-hole golf course, designed by Lakeland, Florida-based golf course architect Ron Garl, features eight famous tribute holes from around the world at courses such as Augusta National, St. Andrews, Royal Troon and Baltusrol. This lay-out has been extensively renovated and features arched stone bridges, brick paved cart paths and bronze tee markers. To further your game enhancement, there is a 10-acre short-game practice facility and a driving range. http://www.goldenocala.com/ http://www.goldenocala.com/golf.html

About the Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club developer and owner, freight industrialist Ralph Larry Roberts, Sr.: In 1965, Ralph L. "Larry" Roberts I was a mere teenager with aspirations of owning his own business. His dream became a reality with the purchase of a single truck he used to haul furniture. The business grew with the purchase of intrastate and interstate authority from Mayflower Moving and Storage, laying the foundation for the company now known as R+L Carriers, Inc. With nearly 40 years of service, R+L Carriers has grown from one truck to a fleet of over 12,582 tractors and trailers. Family-owned and operated, R+L Carriers is dedicated to providing superior service by anticipating their customers' needs and responding to their expectations. This dedication to service has been the driving force behind the company's growth and continued success. R+L Carriers now serves a total of 47 states plus Canada and Puerto Rico. http://www.rlcarriers.com/history.asp

Rounds finish 20005 flat (NGF/Allied Golf Associations): Same-store rounds played in the U.S. were down 8.1% in the month of December 2005 vs. December 2004. As a result, rounds finished the year at -0.1%, or virtually flat as compared to 2004. Private clubs were down 1% for the year while public courses broke into positive territory. December data was reported by 1,573 golf facility operators across the country. (Same-store rounds means, for example, that only facilities reporting rounds for both December 2005 and December 2004 are included in results.)

National Golf Foundation (NGF): The National Golf Foundation, founded in 1936, is the industry leader in providing accurate information and insights on the business of golf. Based in Jupiter, Florida, the NGF serves many constituencies in the golf industry including equipment manufacturers; builders and developers; facilities and ranges; course architects; retailers; turf maintenance suppliers; golf associations and the media. http://www.ngf.org/cgi/whoweare.asp http://www.ngf.org/cgi/research.asp

GOLF 20/20: The leading organisations in golf have come together to forge an unprecedented effort to grow the game. This is GOLF 20/20, a unique collaboration that combines insightful research with strategic acumen to further the industry's knowledge, create new programs and identify areas ideal for the sport’s expansion. On this site, you are invited to access an array of useful research, information on GOLF 20/20 and accounts of its progress and accomplishments. Read on, discover the scope of this initiative and see how the major players in golf are driving the game toward a brighter future. GOLF 20/20 is managed by the World Golf Foundation (WGF), which also oversees the World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine, Florida and The First Tee programme, which creates golf facilities for kids who have not had the chance to be exposed to the game. http://www.golf2020.com/ http://www.thefirsttee.org/Club/Scripts/Home/home.asp

Reece Matthew Campbell Murphy -- "The Seven Wonders of the Golfing World": Reece Matthew Campbell Murphy is the five-year-old golfing prodigy from Scotland who has not only equalled but is surpassing Tiger Woods' achievements at the same age. He has a full programme of events already lined up for 2006. Next month, Reece takes on 7 pro's on 7 of Scotland's top golf courses in 7 days for the children's charity Barnardo's. All are welcome to support the cub in the unique golfing endeavour and donations can be made via the Barnardo's link on this site. You can become part of history by helping one child help many. Also in March 2006, Reece will celebrate his sixth birthday and has been selected by The Hermitage Golf Club Edinburgh to become the World's first Tiny Tour Pro in order to encourage other youngsters to take up the game. Children from schools in Edinburgh will be attending the course to meet, play with and be coached by the cub. Reece will also be playing in various events at The Hermitage, hosted by the HSBC Wee Wonders organisation and the Young Masters Golf (YMG) Junior Golf Programme. Do you enjoy golf? Have you ever wanted to show your talent, but never had the opportunity? If so, then The HSBC Wee Wonders Open Golf Championships is the fun way for you to experience competitive junior golf. http://www.tinywoods.co.uk/ http://www.tinywoods.co.uk/calendar.php http://www.hsbcweewonders.com/ http://www.ymgolf.inter-base.net/?_id=5 http://www.clubhousemanagement.com/events.html

The Wal-Mart First Tee Open at Pebble Beach: The First Tee recently announced three sites that will play host to Regional Open Qualifiers for the third annual Wal-Mart First Tee Open at Pebble Beach, an official Champions Tour tournament scheduled Sept. 1-3, 2006 at Pebble Beach Golf Links. The regional qualifiers will determine 30 of the 78 junior spots (approximately 10 per site) in the Wal-Mart First Tee Open at Pebble Beach field. Each qualifier is a single day, 18-hole stroke-play competition open to boys and girls, ages 13-18 and not enrolled in college, with a maximum USGA handicap of 7 or 13 respectively. "The Wal-Mart First Tee Open at Pebble Beach has become a stage for showcasing the talent and character of the young people who participate at our facilities worldwide," said Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., executive director of The First Tee and senior vice president of the World Golf Foundation. "We look forward to another successful year and are grateful for the continued support of Wal-Mart, the Champions Tour and the Monterey Peninsula Foundation." The First Tee is a charitable youth initiative aimed at promoting character development and life-enhancing values through the game of golf. http://www.thefirsttee.org/club/scripts/view/view_pubnews.asp?GRP=&pg=home&NS=&PID=5140&APP=57

Western New York Girls High School Invitational: Do you know a talented female high school golfer? Tell her about the BuffaloGolfer.Com Western New York Girls High School Invitational, which takes place on May 21, from 1-6 pm at the Arrowhead Golf Club, Buffalo-Niagara Region's newest public upscale golf course. The field is limited to 32 slots, and 12 are already filled in. An application may be procured from the tournament director at buffalogolfer@buffalogolfer.com. Arrowhead Golf Club located in Akron, New York (20 miles east of Buffalo) has been built from the ground up in the classic Scottish links style. Western New York's newest public upscale golf course was created to accommodate discerning golfers. Arrowhead's front and back nine are open and ready to play over 6,800 yards. Designed by Scott Witter, a rising golf course architect, Arrowhead Golf Club will play to par 72 with four sets of tees, bent-grass fairways and over 60 bunkers. http://www.arrowheadgolfclub.net/

Golf At Goodwood -- "Redifining the way you play the game": The Goodwood Club has been transformed recently, although not everyone is happy about the changes implemented away from the course. Launching in spring 2006, Golf At Goodwood is a brand new vision for the sport -- a completely different way of enjoying golf. On June 22, 2006, golfers will gather to play the new Downland course at Goodwood, which will play host to the Earl of March and Kinrara Inaugural Charity Golf Day where funds raised will be divided equally between two local charities, the St. Richard's Hospital Cancer Day Unit Appeal (http://www.rwst.nhs.uk/charitable_trust/cancer_day_unit.pdf) and St. Wilfrid's Hospice (http://www.stwh.co.uk/). Golfers in teams of four are invited to play at a cost of UK£ 600.00 per team. Places are going quickly so to reserve your place, E-mail Deirdre Wickins at playtheview@hotmail.co.uk. Golf At Goodwood is very simple: members will only have to pay for the amount of golf they want when they want it. They will no longer pay fees for times when they are not able to use the course. Once a member, golfers will just buy the amount of Goodwood Golf Credits that best suits their lifestyle. In 2006, to join Golf At Goodwood, one will pay an annual membership fee of UK£ 150 plus a minimum of UK£ 200 of Goodwood Golf Credits. UK£ 200 will buy a member 50 Goodwood Golf Credits which will give ten rounds at Peaceful times or five rounds at Peak times. Credits can be purchased in bundles of 50, 100 or 300 and are only available to members. The more golf a member plays, the less the rounds cost. When members want more they will simply top up, enabling them to be part of an exceptional golf environment at whatever level best suits them. Goodwood is situated just outside Chichester, only 60 miles from London, 30 miles from Brighton and Southampton. http://www.goodwood.co.uk/2004/golf/montage.asp http://www.goodwood.co.uk/2004/info/pn/GWCCN_list.asp

2006 Trump Million Dollar Invitational at Raffles Resort Canouan Island, May 21-26, 2006 -- "Are you up To The Trump Challenge?" Donald J. Trump is looking for 100 golfers to participate in the Trump Million Dollar Invitational, a new golf tournament that will hold its inaugural event in May 2006 and be broadcast world-wide from the Trump International Golf Club at Raffles Resort Canouan Island, The Grenadines. Trump issued a challenge to golfers around the world: Trump issued a challenge to golfers around the world: "I am going to personally give one million dollars to the one golfer who can prove they have the skill and nerve it takes to survive under the most extreme pressure on one of the world’s most demanding courses. Because I’m not going to just give USD 1 million away... they're going to have to take it." The Trump Million Dollar Invitational will be televised by ESPN in July 2006, distributed world-wide. As an invitation-only event, a maximum of 100 players will be invited to compete in the 54-hole stroke play tournament; entry fee is USD 15,000 per player. All entry fees collected will be awarded, creating a USD 1.5 million dollar prize pool. Players are responsible for all travel, lodging, meals and other expenses associated with their participation in the event. Entries will be accepted from January 10 through to April 10, 2006 at http://www.trumpmilliondollar.com/. http://www.trumpmilliondollar.com/info.asp?action=display&record=52

PGA Show Asia - 5th China (Beijing) International Golf Trade Fair 2006: This international golf trade fair is attributed by dynamic synergy of the two established golf exhibition in Asia, The PGA Show Asia and The China Golf Trade Fair. Despite using a more conservative methodology, CLSA's estimate exceeds the well-documented World Tourism Organisation (WTO) estimate of 100 million by 2020. The PGA Show Asia and The China Golf Trade Fair are the biggest golf exhibitions in Asia showcasing merchandise, industrial equipment and facilities. Therefore, the two shows combined provide a perfect platform for all golf businesses from golfing equipments to courses construction. It is with this vision to provide this all encompassing platform that the two shows have now been brought together creating The PGA Show Asia - 5th China (Beijing) International Golf Trade Fair 2006. The show will provide the ultimate opportunity for trade networking and for professionals in the golf industry to share and showcase the latest technology and information. According to a new report released by leading brokerage house CLSA Asia-Pacific Markets, China will become the largest source of outbound tourists by 2020 at 115 million. http://www.pgashowasia.org/china/ http://www.matrixgolfexhibitions.com/

Jim Awtrey to receive ASGCA Donald Ross Award: Long-time PGA of America leader Jim Awtrey will accept the prestigious Donald Ross Award from the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) during its Annual Meeting on March 26, 2006, in Pinehurst, N.C. ASGCA President Tom Marzolf will present the award to Awtrey, the first CEO in The PGA of America's history, during the Donald Ross Award Banquet at the Carolina Hotel at Pinehurst Resort. The award is given annually to a person who has made significant contributions to the game of golf and golf course architecture. Awtrey will be the 31st winner of the Donald Ross Award. Robert Trent Jones was the first honoree in 1976. http://www.asgca.org/JimAwtrey.aspx

"[P.D.] Dye Another Day": Pete -- the initials P.D. became "Petey" and then "Pete" -- leaves home on Monday mornings with a small briefcase and an equally small carry-on bag for the five-day trips he takes almost every week of the year to build courses around the world. He spends weekends at home in Indiana with his wife, Alice, who has been his best friend, partner and muse for more than half a century. Their long trip to Scotland in 1963 introduced Dye to the pot bunkers, railroad ties and Scottish-style greens that characterise his most famous designs. The Teeth of the Dog in the Dominican Republic, his favourite and perhaps finest work, is a joyous linksland that Pete and Alice and 300 workers spent two years creating. Peter Kessler, contributing writer for Golf Magazine, interviewed this design titan. http://www.golfonline.com/golfonline/features/kessler/columnist/0,17742,673558,00.html http://www.golfonline.com/golfonline/features/kessler/list http://www.asgca.org/members3147.aspx http://www.dyedesigns.com/

A trio of design awards for Hills/Forrest Golf Course Architects: The new year brought with it a trio of awards feting a pair of just-opened golf courses designed by Arthur Hills/Steve Forrest and Associates. In its December 2005 issue, Golf Digest magazine named Eagle Ridge Golf Course at Yatesville Lake State Park, one of the nation's Best New Affordable Public courses to open during 2005. The 6,630-yard par-71 layout, carved from the vertiginous Eastern Kentucky mountain town of Louisa, ranked third on the magazine's annual list. Half a world away, Hills Golf Club in Gothenburg, Sweden, recently received 18 stars out of 20 from the prestigious 2006 Peugeot Golf Travel Guide. Only four other courses in Sweden were rated so highly, and only 19 courses in all of continental Europe received a higher rating. Hills GC has already been discussed as a potential Ryder Cup venue. Indeed, in its January/February 2006 issue, Travel + Leisure Golf magazine named Hills GC one of the Top 10 new courses to open world-wide during 2005. "These course honours show that Steve Forrest is one of the finest architects working today," Arthur Hills, the founder and principal of Arthur Hills/Steve Forrest and Associates, said, noting that Forrest will assume the role of President of the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) in 2007. The firm was recently commissioned to design its first course in Bahrain; a spring 2007 opening has been scheduled for Paraiso del Mar on the Baja Peninsula; Wolfdancer, a highly-anticipated new golf course built for Hyatt Resorts in Austin, Texas, and the eagerly awaited Club at Olde Stone, a new private club project in western Kentucky, is set to open this spring. http://www.arthurhills.com/news/PressReleases/2006/PR-012306.html

The laying out of a golf course is by no means a simple task... (Golf Course Architecture in Europe - 100 Years of Evolution - By Ross McMurray): In 1896, five years before the first golf course at Sunningdale opened, Willie Park Jr. said: "The laying out of a golf course is by no means a simple task... Great skill and judgment and a thorough acquaintance with the game are absolutely necessary to determine the best position for the respective holes and teeing grounds and the situation of the hazards." After more than one hundred years of evolution these words are perhaps even more appropriate today. Sunningdale is situated just off the A30, about 28 miles west of London and a short drive from Heathrow airport. It is blessed with two championship courses laid out on the most glorious piece of heathland. The courses wind their way through heather, gorse and pine with 36 holes, each one of which has its own individual charm. The Old Course, designed by Willie Park, is the more famous of the two, but only acquired the title of Old when the New Course, designed by Harry Colt, was opened in 1923. Both courses have their own individual characteristics but form a perfectly matched 36 holes. The Old course, with 103 bunkers, is more tree lined with pine, birch and oak lining the heather culminating with the famous 18th hole and the final green below the 'Sunningdale Oak Tree'. The New Course, not so heavily bunkered or tree lined as the Old, but with more heather, longer carries, and tighter fairways gives exhilarating views across the wild landscape of Chobham Common. http://www.eigca.org/articles1.phphttp://www.sunningdale-golfclub.co.uk/site/home/

Air Force Centre for Environmental Excellence (AFCEE): The Brooks City-Base, San Antonio, Texas-based Air Force Centre for Environmental Excellence (AFCEE) provides Air Force leaders with the comprehensive expertise and professional services necessary to protect, preserve, restore, develop and sustain the nation's environmental and installation resources. The Centre supports Air Force commanders world-wide with environmental remediation, compliance, planning, pollution prevention and design and construction management services. With a budget exceeding USD 500 million and a staff of 450 persons, primarily in technical and scientific fields, the Centre executes USD 3.8 billion in worldwide contracts. http://www.afcee.brooks.af.mil/afceehome.asp

Processed sand pitches for success: The Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI) has been awarded funding worth more than £25,000 by WRAP (the Waste & Resources Action Programme) to carry out two sets of trials assessing the use of processed sand on artificial and winter sports pitches. Processed sand, which is manufactured from 100% recycled glass, will be trialled as a material for the construction and maintenance of second and third generation artificial sports surfaces. "After our initial trials looking at the potential of using processed sand on the golf course, we were keen to expand this research to other sports applications. Artificial sports surfaces are an area where processed sand might offer both players and groundsmen enhanced performance." http://www.stri.co.uk/23.asp?CSID=79&SID= http://www.stri.co.uk/24.asp?SID=&CSID=24 (R&A/STRI Database of Current Research on Golf Courses)

Quinta da Marinha, Oitavos Golfe, Portugal: Due to the Champalimaud family's experience and know-how about the sensitivity of Quinta da Marinha's ecosystem, it was decided that the Quinta da Marinha Oitavos Golfe project would be, from the beginning, submitted to an environmental certification programme of high standing and international reputation. As a result, the Audubon International Gold Signature Programme was selected and shortly after it opened, Oitavos was named a Certified Gold Audubon Signature Sanctuary, the highest designation awarded by Audubon International's Signature Sanctuary Program, golf's strictest and most prestigious environmental management program. Oitavos Golfe is the first in Europe to boast Gold Signature status. Of French origin, Champalimaud ancestors fought in the battle of Bussaco alongside the English against the army of Napoleon. The estate is set among pine woods and reforested dunes, in an area of great natural beauty. Surrounded by the Sintra mountains to the North and by the Atlantic Ocean to the South and West, Oitavos Golf is located 30 minutes from the Portuguese capital of Lisbon, just outside the resort village of Cascais. U.S. golf course architect Arthur Hills collaborated with partner and senior design associate Drew Rogers on the Oitavos project. "Much of the planning of the golf course involved protection of endangered plant species, maintenance of wildlife habitat (and their migration routes), nesting sites and food sources," Rogers explained. "Audubon also developed a very strict regimen of maintenance practices for us, intended to protect the rich, native environment and this very sensitive ecosystem. Our own efforts included the careful replacement and re-vegetation of the areas on site disturbed during construction. Once these areas were identified by the development team, they were replanted with native vegetation as the course was being finished. In many cases, we restored dunes that had been damaged long before the onset of course construction." http://www.quintadamarinha-oitavosgolfe.pt/uk/golfe_05uk.asp http://www.golfbusinesswire.com/viewRelease.php?releaseID=626

The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America's 70th President appointed: Sean A. Hoolehan, CGCS, who has been the golf course superintendent at Wildhorse Resort & Casino on the Umatilla Indian Reservation in Pendleton, Oregon since 1996, was elected the 70th President of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America at the GCSAA's annual meeting on February 10 in Atlanta, Georgia. As president, he also holds a board of trustee position for the Environmental Institute for Golf (the philanthropic organisation of the GCSAA). CGCS designates Certified Golf Course Superintendent, which recognises the achievement of high standards of professionalism through education and experience. http://www.gcsaa.org/about/leadership/hoolehan.asp http://www.eifg.org/about/bot.asp Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Mountains and designed by golf course architect John Steidel, Wildhorse's 18-hole course can play long or short with four sets of tees ranging from 5,718 yards at the front to 7,128 yards from the championship tees. Located in Northeast Oregon, Wildhorse Resort & Casino is operated by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and claims to be the Northwest's highest paying casino. http://www.wildhorseresort.com/htm/sub_pages/golf.htm

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.`