MAY-JUNE 2005

News & Notes

Industry News | New Products

ASU Opens On-Campus Golf Lab
A golf driving range and pro shop on Arizona State University’s East campus opened in January as a working lab for Professional Golf Management and Golf Facilities Management students. The 12-acre facility will function as a teaching laboratory for students in the two golf programs. Students also will run and maintain the facility, and half of the driving range’s 90 hitting stations will be open to the public to generate revenue to cover operating costs.
The driving range is the result of four years of planning, with construction involving 50 local and national companies that contributed more than $350,000 in service and materials toward the project. A donation of $1.5 million dollars is now needed to name the facility. A portion of the donation will be used for unfinished planned projects, including two golf holes and a putting green, with the remainder going into an endowment.

Golf Technologies Pair Up
SmartSwing Inc., an Austin-based golf technology company, has partnered with Interactive Frontiers, maker of the V1 golf swing video analysis system. Together, the companies will create bundled product offerings for golfers and teaching professionals. SmartSwing’s technology, which is integrated into its own line of intelligent golf clubs, provides golfers with immediate and extensive feedback on the quality of their golf swing and other mechanics. Initially, the SmartSwing product line will be integrated into the V1 Professional Edition, which is primarily used by teaching professionals.

The Only Directory You’ll Ever Need
The 2005 edition of the Golf Range Times Buyers’ Guide and Directory is now available. It’s the only directory published exclusively for the golf range industry, and the one resource you’ll refer to all year long as you make important purchasing decisions. More than 180 alphabetical company listings are cross-referenced by product category, making it easy to find the equipment and services you need. In addition, the directory includes information on purchasing large equipment such as pickers and washers and what various suppliers offer, as well as a checklist outlining smaller equipment needs.
All Golf Range Times subscribers receive a complimentary copy of the directory. To order additional copies, call 804-379-5760 or download an order form here.

Range Opens at Fountain Bluff Sports Complex
A new public golf driving range has opened at the Fountain Bluff Sports Complex in Liberty, Mo. Part of the Liberty Parks and Recreation Department, the range features six acres of practice space and 10 Fiberbuilt artificial turf golf mats with ball holders. The grand-opening celebration March 19 included a three-hour window where area residents could stop by for a free bucket of practice balls. The range will be open year-round, with extended hours in the spring and summer months. The municipal complex also includes nine softball/baseball fields and nine soccer fields.

The First Tee Closes In on Five-Year Goals
The First Tee is on track to meet its five-year goal of introducing golf to 500,000 youth. In 2004, the First Tee introduced 155,000 participants to the sport, bringing the four-year total to 458,000. Last year, the First Tee also developed 53 new facilities (200 total) in 23 states and New Zealand and established 144 affiliate relationships with existing golf courses (478 total). In 2000, the organization set a goal of opening 250 dedicated golf learning facilities and establishing 500 affiliate relationships with existing golf courses by the end of 2005.

Space-Ray Pumps Out More Heaters
Space-Ray of Charlotte, N.C., has expanded its line of unitized low-intensity gas-fired infrared tube heaters and now offers 19 different heaters in more than 100 configurations. Available in both natural and propane gas, the new ETS/ETU series range in capacity from 40,000 to 250,000 Btu/hr; system lengths vary from 15 to 80 feet. ETU Series heaters are ideal for high heat-loss areas and spot heating applications; heaters in the ETS Series are best for meeting complete building heating requirements. Systems can be common vented or individually vented through the roof or a sidewall.
Contact Space-Ray, 800-438-4936 or 704-372-3485, www.spaceray.com.

Modular Putting Greens Work In or Above Ground
Adventure Golf Services introduces TourLinks, a modular putting green system for both in-ground and aboveground applications. Manufactured in the U.S. by Creative Sports Concepts, the 2-foot by 2-foot putting green panels are compression molded with 100 percent recycled TPO plastic. The panelized assembly bolts together in minutes, providing a putting green that is flexible to accommodate terrain changes and permits easy drainage through joints between the panels. Panels weigh an average of 7 pounds and are weather-resistant, UV-protected and color-safe from fading. Laser-cut carpet matches the exact pattern of each green and has a special backing to keep it in place. Contours can be added underneath the carpet. Standard shapes are offered for aboveground greens, with custom sizes available for both aboveground and in-ground models.
Contact Adventure Golf Services, 888-725-4386 or 231-922-8166, www.adventureandfun.com.

Ball Basket Carries the Load
With a 600-ball capacity, the Olde Rangemaster’s Colossal Plastic Basket reduces ball-handling time when transferring balls from the picker to the washer or from the washer to the dispenser. The 15-inch-tall by 19-inch-wide basket has reinforced handles and heavy-duty construction for long-term durability in hot or cold weather conditions. The basket is available in orange, green or blue.
Contact the Olde Rangemaster LLC, 800-407-6853 or 407-282-4278, www.rangemaster.net.

PGA Publishes Beginner Manuals in Spanish
The PGA of America’s First Swing Program manual, First Swing for Juniors, is now available in Spanish. The organization also will distribute a Spanish text of Summary of the Rules of Golf. Making these introductory materials available in Spanish supports industrywide initiatives to attract and retain more golfers in the emerging U.S. Hispanic population, PGA reports.
The publications are available at www.pga.com or by calling 800-742-3003.

Water Cooler Purification System Keeps It Clean
Keep drinking water on the tee line and course safe with Standard Golf Co.’s Nature Pure Water Cooler Purification System. The system retrofits to 5- and 10-gallon Igloo water coolers without special tools, and will purify up to 500 gallons of water before the cartridge needs to be replaced. Independently certified to meet EPA Microbiological Purification Standards, the system protects against waterborne bacteria such as E. coli and other viruses, as well as removes chlorines, herbicides, pesticides and unpleasant tastes and odors.
Contact Standard Golf, 866-743-9773, www.standardgolf.com.

Send your news and information on new products to info@golfrangetimes.com.