January-February 2004
Tee Time: Industry News

USGTF Turns 15
The United States Golf Teachers Federation is celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2004. Established in 1989, USGTF is the largest organization of golf teaching professionals in the nation, with more than 6,000 members in 50 states. Based in Port St. Lucie, Fla., USGTF offers four levels of teaching certification: affiliate member, associate member, fully certified member and master teaching professional.

Results of Minority Participation Study Released
Golf 20/20 and the First Tee have released the findings of a study on minority golf participation conducted by the National Golf Foundation. “Minority Golf Participation in the U.S.” looks at current rates of participation among Asians, Hispanics and African-Americans in the U.S. and provides data on the latent demand, golfing characteristics and demographics of these population groups. The report also establishes baselines to measure future growth among these market segments and the impact of programs such as the First Tee, National School Golf Program, Play Golf America and Link Up 2 Golf on participation. Download a copy of the report at www.golf2020.com.

Range Servant America Names Regional Sales Manager
Dan James has joined Range Servant America, a Swedish-based manufacturer and supplier of driving range equipment, as a regional sales manager for the Metro New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania area. A former owner of Dragon Golf Ltd. and Camelot Turf Services, James brings more than eight years of experience selling to and servicing the needs of golf range owners, head professionals and golf course superintendents in these markets. James will be based at Range Servant’s North American headquarters in Norcross, Ga.

Total Golf Assumes Management of Mulligan’s Golf Center
Mulligan’s Golf Center in Auburn Hills, Mich., home of the world’s largest golf dome, has hired Total Golf Inc. to provide comprehensive management services to the facility. Previously managed by the center’s six-member investor group, Mulligan’s growing business necessitated outside management expertise, says Jim Dewling, president of Total Golf. The Milford, Mich.-based golf management and development company assumed management Aug. 1, just in time for the beginning of the center’s busiest season, when the dome opens.

Wal-Mart Sponsors The First Tee
In December, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. announced that it would be supporting the First Tee nationally, with an emphasis on promoting the First Tee’s Life Skills Experience. Wal-Mart’s financial commitment was not disclosed. The First Tee is a World Golf Foundation initiative that provides youth an opportunity to develop, through golf and character education, life-enhancing values such as honesty, integrity and sportsmanship. Wal-Mart’s commitment will further the efforts of the First Tee at more than 140 facilities across the country. The cornerstone of the two-year agreement will be a Champions Tour event, the First Tee Open at Pebble Beach, which will involve participants of the First Tee. The inaugural event will be played at Pebble Beach Golf Links and Bayonet Golf Course on California’s Monterey Peninsula Sept. 3-5, 2004.

Eagle One Golf Adds Wittek to Product Mix
Eagle One Golf Products, a California-based manufacturer specializing in recycled plastic lumber products for the golf industry, has added ball pickers, ball dispensers and ball washers from Wittek Golf Supply Co. Inc. to its offerings. For a catalog, call 800-448-4409 or visit www.eagleonegolf.com.

New Products

Range-Play Entertainment Scores With New Target Game
There’s a new target game in town: Range-Play Scramble System, an interactive game that allows golfers to turn practice into play. Developed by Boulder, Colo.-based Range Play Entertainment Corp., this completely automated system uses targets with built-in sensors that contain wireless radio transmitters. When a target is hit, data are relayed to a scoreboard, giving golfers on the tee line immediate feedback. The system also offers a variety of group-oriented games, which can be used for leagues or corporate outings. Many of the games are played against a clock, which, the company says, encourages players to hit more balls in less time. (Range-Play Entertainment Corp., 303-516-4843, www.range-play.com)

Waterbed Inspires TrueStrike Golf Mat
Five years ago, Philip Sear, inventor and founder of TrueStrike, hit balls from his waterbed to see if it would provide a painless, yet realistic practice surface. That unconventional R&D gave way to the development of the TrueStrike golf mat, which has a “ruckable” top surface, much like that of a waterbed. This top layer works with a divot simulating subsurface to provide a strike area that is said to feel and play like a natural fairway, what the British manufacturer calls “fairway forgiveness.” TrueStrike will unveil its namesake mat at the 2004 PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Fla. (TrueStrike, +44 20 8371 6667, www.truestrike.com)

Fairway Series Golf Mat Sports New Look
SofTee Manufacturing LLC, a Lake Barrington, Ill.-based manufacturer of artificial turf golf mats, has redesigned its Fairway Series Golf Mat. A new rounded edge replaces the mat’s straight beveled-edge frame, and the mat has been expanded to 63 inches square, resulting in 10 percent more hitting area. This additional space is also said to help the mat wear more evenly. The complementing ball tray mimics the mat’s new look with a reverse countered edge that sits flush against the mat’s frame for easy ball transfer to one of 12 tee positions. (SofTee Manufacturing LLC, golfmats@softeemfg.com, www.softeemfg.com)

Ball Tray Doubles as Advertising Space
Adverturf, an Alpharetta, Ga.-based marketing company, introduces a new revenue option for driving range owners with its outdoor advertising partnership program. The company has developed a patented ball tray that displays advertising messages. Ranges pay no out-of-pocket costs to use the trays, which are shipped with Adverturf-provided advertisers, and share in advertising revenues. (Adverturf, 770-855-2683, www.adverturf.com)

Balls Tee Up Automatically With RoboT
New for 2004, Hollrock Engineering, a Hadley, Mass.-based manufacturer and supplier of range equipment, offers the RoboT automatic tee-up system. At the start of practice, balls are loaded into the stand-alone unit’s automatic teeing feature, eliminating the need to bend over with each shot. Made in the U.S., the RoboT works on any flat surface, includes a built-in adjustable tee height and accommodates left- or right-handed players. Convenience features include an attached cup holder and club rest. (Hollrock Engineering, 800-487-2643, www.hollrock.com)

GolfSLAM Reinforces Lessons Taught
Roll in the Hole Golf Instruction in Manalapan, N.J., introduces GolfSLAM (Student Learning Administrator Module), a database that golf instructors can use to track students’ progress and then give them private access via the Internet to their lesson notes, practice drills, video swing analysis and lesson schedule. Providing this information, says GolfSLAM CEO Alan Brown, increases a student’s ability to “learn, retain, recall and execute the golf techniques taught.” Instructors can post lesson information on GolfSLAM’s web site or the facility’s. (GolfSLAM, 732-786-8210, www.golfslam.com).