Sunrise at Pebble

Sent from my iPhone

Local celebrities at the AT&T

Sent from my iPhoneHere's a pic of me and Jack Holt, assistant super out at Pebble Beach, and the dogs. Everybody likes seeing the dogs roll by on the course, they're four-legged celebrities, right up there with Michael Bolton.

Jack said they've got a big crew of volunteers this week, including a few international helpers. If Jack looks familiar, it's because Golfdom profiled him in 2010. I'm hopeful to catch up with Jack, Chris and the crew tomorrow morning. Early to bed tonight!

I like dags

Sorry, I'm still quoting "Snatch" even after being back from London for two weeks now...

Ran into Jack Holt, the longtime assistant superintendent out here at Pebble. Nabbed a photo with him, I'll post it soon. It was the first time I've met Jack, very reassuring to hear he's been enjoying Golfdom consistently over the last year. Here's a photo of his dogs... I'll post a pic of all of us (me, Jack, the dags) together shortly.

One more day at the AT&T before I fly back to the land of Oz...

Me and David Feherty

Sent from my iPhoneJust ran into my pal David Feherty out here at Pebble Beach... You want to talk about crazy schedules, there is a good chance there are two of him, as many places as he gets to in a day.

Hmm, maybe a feature story with David in Golfdom? Whaddya think, would you read that? I would.

Exclusive: PGA, Mangum Recant Brush Damage Statements Made During 2011 PGA Championship

Mangum addresses the media during the 2011 PGA Championship.

If the glove does not fit, you must acquit.

Or, in this case, if you can’t prove the brush did the damage, you must take it back.

That’s what has been determined by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi, Delta Division. In a stipulation of dismissal filed by the court on February 1st, 2012, in a case of greens brush manufacturer GreensPerfection Inc. versus Atlanta Athletic Club, Ken Mangum, CGCS and the PGA of America, it was declared that the defendants “never determined and never intended to say that GreensPerfection brushes caused damage to any putting greens at the Atlanta Athletic Club in August 2011.”

That’s an about-face from what was stated at the PGA Championship, in both a press release and on live TV. In a press release issued by the PGA of America concerning the damage, it stated that, “damage is believed to be the result of a significant rise in the dew point at approximately 7:00 p.m., which caused the brushes on the mowers on those greens to stick in the grass and damage the turf.” In a live press conference broadcast on the Golf Channel on August 11th, 2011, Ken Mangum, CGCS, director of golf course and grounds, echoed that sentiment, saying, “the only answer I could come up with was that the humidity changed and the brush grabbed and dug into the green and caused the problem.”

But Rodney Lingle, CGCS at Memphis CC and owner of GreensPerfection Inc., manufacturer of the brush being used at Atlanta Athletic Club, refused to believe that his brushes could have caused such damage. In a statement sent exclusively to Golfdom, Lingle states, “After the statements made at the 93rd PGA Championship, we felt a responsibility to our current customer’s concerns, as well as potential customers, to make sure they knew our product was safe and effective. GreensPerfection brushes are incapable of damaging any greens in the way represented by the defendants,” the statement reads. “According to the official court document, the defendants never determined that GreensPerfection brushes caused damage to any putting greens at the Atlanta Athletic Club and the brushes are still in use at The Atlanta Athletic Club and have been since the PGA Championship.”

Chojnacky part 2 -- less irrigated turf

Goldom TV -- Paul Chojnacky, Part 1

Here's part one of three videos we did with Paul while we were out at Pasatiempo Golf Club in Santa Cruz, Calif. In part one, we talk about Paul's use of goats to clear the canyons at the course.

I'll post parts two and three tomorrow... those are both about water savings, something every superintendent can appreciate!

TPC Scottsdale's environmental effort

Jeff Plotts, TPC Scottsdale, hosts this week WM Phoenix Open.

It's time for the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale. The largest spectator golf event in the world is also now trying its hand at being the most environmentally friendly event ever. This story from PGATour.com details the efforts, which includes a goal of diverting 90 percent of tournament waste into recycling and composting facilities.

In a quote from the story, Plotts tells PGATour.com, "It's our environmental responsibility to continue to find ways to conserve natural resources and protect the environment, and we are hopeful that local golfers and tournament fans will embrace these types of green efforts in their own lives. We applaud the efforts of Waste Management and the Thunderbirds to reduce landfill waste, and look forward to supporting the Zero Waste Challenge in partnership with TPC Scottsdale employees and tournament fans during this year's Waste Management Phoenix Open."

Good luck to our friend Jeff Plotts and the crew at TPC Scottsdale... we'll be looking forward to seeing how the effort plays out!

But I don't even know how to skate!

From the new ESPN the Magazine, page 77...