Turnin' the screw

You might remember I posted a photo of a bumper sticker here during the GIS in Orlando. The bumper sticker said, "My Rain Bird rotor is smarter than your rotor."

Well, I'm going through all this information from GIS about updates to rotors. Here's a little bit about what the Rain Bird folks gave me on their new 751 Rotors -- specifically, they're proud of the ease of adjustment on these new rotors. Also, they're backwards-compatible to any Eagle rotor built since 1992.

Here's part of the press release... look for more information on rotor improvements from other companies in the upcoming days...

Rain Bird 751 Golf Rotors make it possible for superintendents to easily and quickly adjust watering on greens, fairways or roughs as needed. These new rotors offer simple, top-adjustable rotation settings that retain the memory of their part-circle arc setting when shifting between full- and part-circle operations. This unique product is designed to offer quick adjustments for the life of the rotor with a turn of a screw.

It’s not necessary to completely replace an existing Rain Bird rotor in order to enjoy the benefits of the new 751 model. According to Lloyd von Scheliha, product manager for Rain Bird’s golf rotors, courses with older Rain Bird rotors currently installed can easily integrate the 751’s Rapid-Adjust Technology. “Unlike competitive products, Rain Bird’s new rotors offer backward-compatibility with every Eagle Rotor manufactured since 1992,” von Scheliha explained. “That means in many instances, superintendents can simply drop the new Rain Bird 751 internal assembly into their existing rotor cases, saving both time and money.”

In addition to Rapid-Adjust Technology, Rain Bird 751 Golf Rotors offer performance and durability. Field and laboratory tests have found the 751 Rotors to be up to 23 percent more efficient than those offered by the next-closest competitor. For more information about Rain Bird’s new 751 Golf Rotors with Rapid-Adjust Technology featuring Memory Arc, visit www.rainbird.com/golf or call 1-800-RAINBIRD.

Places to be: the Bayer booth

Here is what I've heard from the Bayer folks:

On Thursday, Feb. 10th, Bayer will launch it's first natural product and a revolutionary way to deal with nematodes... a product called NORTICA.

That morning (sorry, press only, but don't worry, we'll be there!) Billy Crow, landscape nematologist, University of Florida, will share his latest research on nematodes and observations of Nortica... then Cynthia Gigandet, insecticide marketing product manager, and Richard Rees, product development team leader, will answer questions regarding the development of Nortica's development and use.

I know you can't make it for the press-only session from Bayer, but don't worry... your pals at Golfdom have you covered! And then stop by the Bayer booth Thursday afternoon to hear some of this information for yourself!

(Have some info to share regarding your GIS booth? It's not too late to email Seth at sjones@questex.com with this info! And if you've already emailed him with this info, now is the time to double-check with him that he actually plans to RUN IT!!!)

Places to be: John Deere booth (or their website)

Continuing a series, I think the John Deere booth (# 2001) at the GIS will definitely be a place to visit during the show. Why? Well, besides the cool hardware... how about a trip to the Open Championship? Or an iPad?

The cool thing is Deere has already started this sweepstakes, and you can take a shot at it now by visiting www.johndeere.com/golf.

Here are the complete details, courtesy of John Deere:

John Deere Golf has launched its Think Ahead Sweepstakes, offering participants a chance to win a trip for two to the Open Championship at Royal St. George’s or one of several iPads. By watching a video on the John Deere Golf website, or taking a brief tour of the booth at the Golf Industry Show (GIS), golf course industry professionals qualify for a chance to win one of five iPads and are automatically entered for the opportunity to attend the Open Championship at Royal St. George’s this upcoming July.

“We’re focused on providing equipment, agronomics and irrigation products that equip customers for today’s obstacles and tomorrow’s opportunities,” said Gregg Breningmeyer, global director of sales and marketing, John Deere Golf. “We’re excited to offer the Think Ahead Sweepstakes as an opportunity for industry professionals to learn more about how products and support services from John Deere Golf can help them prepare for and achieve success.”

For the sweepstakes, there will be five entry periods. Three will offer online opportunities for entering by viewing videos on the John Deere Golf www.JohnDeere.com/Golf. The first video was posted on January 13, the second will post on February 11 and the third on April 1. An additional two entry periods occur each day during the GIS where attendees can enter after taking a brief tour of the John Deere Golf booth (#2001). Those interested in entering the sweepstakes through the booth tours should see a John Deere representative once they enter the show booth.

The sweepstakes is eligible only to U.S. citizens and the grand prize winner will be required to have a valid U.S. passport.

Places to be: BASF booth

I thought I'd start a series of posts here about some of the booths that are celebrating the GIS with some awesome giveaways... since I just spoke with these guys yesterday about the topic, I'll lead off with BASF (and to get your cool booth activities listed here soon, email me at sjones@questex.com).

I spoke with Heather Mueller of PSB yesterday, and she told me about how the game of Superintendent Thousandaire works... you know they're giving away some big money prizes to superintendents, a la "Who Wants to be a Millionaire," right?

So I figured that to participate, you have to get your name drawn, or something like that.

But no, it's easier. You just have to be at the BASF booth (# 940) at the right time.

So that time is top-secret, right? There's the rub, I figure... you've got to pop in and hope they're getting ready to choose some supers to compete in Thousandaire.

And then Heather told me, "It's at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Wednesday, and at 11 a.m. on Thursday."

Ooh! So I got the scoop, right?

"No, we tell everyone that information. We post it on our blog, too."

Oh. OK. Well... how cool is that? You know the time and the place... all you have to do is go to the booth at that time and look like a superintendent who wants to win money. Heck, I could do that!

I'll also take this opportunity to remind you that your friendly (and even not-so-friendly) golf media will all be at the BASF booth at 3 p.m. on Thursday competing in our own version of Superintendent Thousandaire. All the money raised goes to charity. You can read more about that here.

Check out the BASF Turf Talk blog for the complete 411 on their giveaways during the GIS. Here's a hint: cash, product and turf books!