Golf Range Times Magazine July-August 2003 'Tee Time' Reference Article

Golf Range Times Buyers' Guide and Directory

July-August 2003
Tee Time: Industry News

IAGI Membership Directory Available
cThe 2003-2004 International Association of Geosynthetic Installers Membership Directory is now available. The 34-page directory contains a complete listing of geosynthetic installers, designers and distributors. Complimentary copies can be requested by calling Laurie Honnigford at 651-554-1895 or sending e-mail to iagi@iagi.org.

VGM Club Expands Into Canada
VGM Club, the largest U.S. buying alliance for golf facilities, is expanding into the Canadian market. Through its volume buying power, VGM Club negotiates special pricing programs for its members and allows individual members to make purchases from a roster of more than 150 vendors, covering club and restaurant operating supplies, capital equipment, food and beverage, pro shop merchandise and golf course maintenance. According to the company, the new division—VGM Club, Canada—will include the benefits of a buying alliance with the addition of an audited savings analysis for clients. Visit www.vgmclub.com for information on joining the club.

Call for Entries: 2003 Best New Range Award
Do you have an award-winning range? Golf Range Times is accepting entries for the ninth annual Best New Range Award. To qualify for entry, your range must operate as the primary business (revenue generator) of the facility. Ranges that opened or underwent major renovations after Sept. 1, 2002, are eligible for the 2003 contest.

All nominees must complete an entry form and submit photographs and other materials to illustrate the achievements of the new facility. A profile of the award winner, along with an announcement of the runners-up and honorable mentions, will appear in the January/February 2004 issue of Golf Range Times and on www.golfrangetimes.com. Obtain an entry form online at www.golfrangetimes.com or call 804-379-5760. Deadline for entries is Oct. 10..

Sports Academy Adds Mini Golf
Dulin’s Sports Academy has added two 18-hole miniature golf courses to its second location in Southhaven, Miss. The academy is part of a larger $10 million-plus development project that also includes Southhaven Sports Complex, a hotel, restaurants and other commercial development. The two outdoor courses, built by Atlantic Miniature Golf & Entertainment Construction, based in Norfolk, Va., complement an 85,000-square-foot indoor space, which houses multi-units for baseball, softball, soccer, cheerleading and gymnastics.

Golf 20/20 Publishes Industry Report
According to Golf 20/20’s second annual report on the industry, interest in the sport remains strong, especially among minorities, and junior involvement in the game has increased. Frequency, however, continues to be the biggest area of concern for industry stakeholders. Rounds played between 2001 and 2002 were down 3 percent. Golf 20/20 attributes this decline to avid golfers playing less. The report, which uses information culled from a variety of resources and organizations, also looks at the effects of course development and weather on rounds played as well as market opportunities for golf facilities. The report is available in its entirety at www.golf2020.com.

Spalding Changes Name
As a result of the sale of Spalding’s sporting goods business to Russell Athletic Corp. in May, Spalding Sports Worldwide has changed its name to The Top-Flite Golf Co. The new company will focus on two main brands, Top-Flite and Ben Hogan. The Strata product line will eventually fold back under the Top-Flite umbrella, where it was originally launched in 1996.

Rain Bird Promotes Two in Golf Division
Rain Bird has promoted Randy Mills to central control product manager for the company’s golf division. Mills joined Rain Bird in 1997 as a senior application engineer, and most recently served as a software engineer in the controls manufacturing group.
George W. (Tripp) Cobb III has been named district sales manager for the company’s golf division. In joining Rain Bird’s golf team, Cobb assumes responsibility for sales in the South Carolina market.

Former President Bush Celebrates 100th First Tee Facility
Former President George H. Bush, honorary chairman of The First Tee, was among those celebrating the grand opening of The First Tee of Richmond, the organization’s 100th facility. Also joining the May 5 celebration were Tim Finchem, PGA Tour commissioner; Joe Louis Barrow Jr., executive director of The First Tee; Richmond Mayor Rudolph C. McCollum; and Fred Tattersall, president of the Richmond First Tee chapter.

The $1.3 million complex, located at the city’s Elson Redmond Memorial Driving Range, features 25 grass tees, 18 covered and heated tees, putting and chipping greens, a practice bunker, a three-hole adult par-3 course and a three-hole par-3 youth training course. It also includes a clubhouse with a pro shop, a full-service grill and two indoor instructional tees.

In other First Tee news, The First Tee of Central Coast celebrated its grand opening May 31 at the Links Course at Paso Robles in Paso Robles, Calif.; a new chapter, The First Tee of South Los Angeles, was established in early May at the Maggie Hathaway Golf Course in Los Angeles; and The Golf Club at Chelsea Piers has signed on as an affiliate of The First Tee of Metropolitan New York.

Chelsea Piers Signs Srixon as Official Supplier
TAs part of a multi-year deal, golfers at The Golf Club at Chelsea Piers will practice and take lessons with Srixon golf balls and clubs. Srixon Sports will be supplying the New York City club with balls for use on the practice range and with clubs for students to use while taking lessons at the academy. In addition, Tom Sutter, head professional at the club, and his 13-member teaching staff will wear Srixon shirts and headgear.

The Greens of Las Vegas Opens Putting Course
A natural grass 18-hole putting course and restaurant/sports bar are opening July 7 at The Greens of Las Vegas, a 20-acre golf entertainment facility being built a mile from the southern tip of the Las Vegas Strip. When completed, the facility will include 24 championship putting greens, each inspired by and built to the true size and settings of actual courses; several of the courses will be lit for 24-hour access and all will have misting stations.

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