March–April 2004
Tee Time: Industry News

SofTee Manufacturing Moves Offices
SofTee Manufacturing LLC has moved its offices to 3163 Wexford Way, Southport, NC 28461; phone 910-253-4503; fax 847-745-0320. David Moore, sales manager, will continue to operate from Denver; he can be reached at 720-234-8000.

Industry Favors Vegas for Fall Show
PGA Fall Expo exhibitors and buyers favor a Las Vegas locale and later show date, according to a poll conducted by PGA Golf Exhibitions, a division of Reed Exhibitions. As a result, the 2004 show, which was previously scheduled for early August in San Diego, will be held Sept. 20-22 in Las Vegas. For more information, visit www.pgafallexpo.com.

PGA Says, ‘Play Golf America’
The PGA of America has unveiled a national marketing campaign, Play Golf America, designed to introduce people to the game, enhance their skills and increase their frequency of play. A central key to the campaign is an industry-sponsored web site, www.playgolfamerica.com, that serves as a link for consumers to access adult player development programs in their local market. Facilities with a PGA or LPGA member overseeing the instruction program are eligible to participate in the initiative and become an official Play Golf America host facility. More program information and host facility eligibility requirements are available at www.playgolfamerica.com.

Dome Manufacturer Expands Staff
The Farley Group, a Canadian-based manufacturer and installer of air-supported structures, has augmented its staff roster with several new appointments. With 25 years of manufacturing experience, most recently as vice president and general manager of Conference Cup Ltd., Donald Bell has joined the Farley Group as president and CEO. This appointment has allowed former CEO and President John Simpell to take on the role of senior vice president of sales to mange what the company calls an “accelerating sales agenda.” Craig Vandenberg, who worked for 18 years with Heco Ltd., most recently as service manager, brings credentials in HVAC to the company as mechanical service manager. Kirk Piper and Steve Black, both formerly with Yeadon Fabric Domes Inc., have joined the company as supervisors in the manufacturing area. Sarah Chaplin, a graduate of Humber College’s Recreation and Leisure Services Diploma Program, has been named sales and marketing coordinator.

Nike Golf Enters Custom Club Market
Nike Golf is introducing fitting carts at select golf specialty locations around the country beginning this month. The initial 150 locations will provide custom fits for Nike Golf’s Forged Blade Irons, Forged Pro Combo Irons and the award-winning Slingshot Irons. These club options, as well as the company’s Forged Wedges, new Ignite Driver and CPR hybrid clubs, will be available in an expanded fitting cart scheduled to roll out in June.

Mitchell Golf Offers New Certification
Mitchell Golf Equipment Co. has added Club Performance Specialist to its educational certifications. The curriculum is designed to teach students how club specifications affect ball flight. The three-day class satisfies continuing education credits for the PGA, LPGA and Professional Clubmakers’ Society and is held at Mitchell Golf’s Dayton, Ohio, facility. Class dates for 2004 are May3-5, June 7-9, Sept. 27-29, Nov. 8-10 and Dec. 6-8. More information is available at www.mitchellgolf.com or by calling 800-437-1314.

Cost of Wisconsin Builds Marriott Course
Cost of Wisconsin, a Jackson, Wis.-based miniature golf course designer and builder, is constructing a 19-hole miniature golf course at the Horizons by Marriott Vacation Club in Orlando, Fla. The nautical-themed course, scheduled to open in March, will feature long, contoured greens and a central shipwrecked boat that golfers play through. In addition, many of the holes will have multiple pin cups so that their degree of difficulty can be changed to accommodate age and skill level. This is the fifth Marriott project for Cost of Wisconsin; the company has built two miniature golf courses for Marriott properties and created several rockwork features for sister facilities.

New Products

Tools Ensure Accurate Club Repair
Mitchell Golf Equipment Co., a Dayton, Ohio-based provider of club repair and assembly equipment, has introduced two new products. The TourGauge Irons Machine (pictured right) allows right- and left-hand club bending without machine adjustments. As a result, loft and lie angles can be measured immediately. Made from aluminum and steel with a chrome-plated, black-oxide finish, the CNC-milled TourGauge registers and bends all iron designs and allows angles to be measured to within a half degree. The CNC-milled TourGauge Swing Weight Scale eliminates any variables when determining a club’s swing weight. A “Zero Balance Beam” system allows the scale to register at zero even if the surface it’s placed on is not level, and the incorporation of a swing weight factor table eliminates the need for reference charts. (Mitchell Golf Equipment Co., 800-437-1314, www.mitchellgolf.com)

John Deere Launches One-Stop Shopping
John Deere has launched Golf & Turf One Source, a singular source for mowing and maintenance equipment, irrigation and landscaping supplies, credit, parts and service. Forming strategic partnerships with companies in the seed, fertilizer, irrigation and drainage industries has allowed John Deere to leverage high-volume buying power and provide competitive pricing. Additional benefits of One Source include fewer vendor contracts, a comprehensive online ordering system and a product platform that can be customized to meet each customer’s needs. (John Deere, 800-537-8233, www.johndeere.com).