The headline in the paper the other day said, “Tiger Takes the Fifth.” It made me think of Retief Goosen.
But, first, about the meaning of the headline. It refers to how many times Tiger Woods has won the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio. Five. Woods has also won four tournaments in a row, including the British Open and the PGA Championship, after failing to make the cut at Winged Foot for the U.S. Open. The guy is blowing away the competition.
Now, back to Goosen. I interviewed him in early July before Tiger went on his hot streak. Goosen said competition on the PGA Tour these days is tougher than ever. But it's great to see so many players have a chance to win, he added.
"It's a lot tougher to win out there than it was five years ago," Goosen said. "But then again, Tiger Woods was so on top of his game five years ago that it seemed like he was winning every week."
You remember the Tiger Woods of five years ago, don’t you? Well, looks like he’s back.
-- Larry Aylward, Editor in Chief
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Thursday, August 17, 2006
A Fall Classic?
You may have heard of Charlie Cook, the veteran Washington, D.C.-based political analyst. I had the pleasure of hearing Cook speak earlier this year at a Media Summit presented by BASF.
Cook monitors political candidates and their ratings like baseball nuts watch box scores and batting averages. He’s a fascinating person to hear speak.
But despite his knowledge, Cook admitted he doesn’t have a real good feel about this fall’s election. He can’t predict who will win control of the House and the Senate in the U.S. Congress.
Cook examined the election from two perspectives — the macro political approach and the micro political approach. When you look at it from the macro political approach — or from top to bottom — Cook said Republicans appear to be in eminent trouble.
But when one looks at the election from the micro political approach, or from the bottom to the top, it appears the Democrats will have a difficult time gaining control of the House and the Senate. Republicans will lose some House and Senate seats, but they’ll probably hold their majorities, he said.
As far as the presidential election in 2008, Cook said two early contenders are John McCain and Hilary Clinton. And, yes, Hilary has a chance.
— Larry Aylward, Editor in Chief
Cook monitors political candidates and their ratings like baseball nuts watch box scores and batting averages. He’s a fascinating person to hear speak.
But despite his knowledge, Cook admitted he doesn’t have a real good feel about this fall’s election. He can’t predict who will win control of the House and the Senate in the U.S. Congress.
Cook examined the election from two perspectives — the macro political approach and the micro political approach. When you look at it from the macro political approach — or from top to bottom — Cook said Republicans appear to be in eminent trouble.
But when one looks at the election from the micro political approach, or from the bottom to the top, it appears the Democrats will have a difficult time gaining control of the House and the Senate. Republicans will lose some House and Senate seats, but they’ll probably hold their majorities, he said.
As far as the presidential election in 2008, Cook said two early contenders are John McCain and Hilary Clinton. And, yes, Hilary has a chance.
— Larry Aylward, Editor in Chief
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
50 Dollars of Unleaded and a Conspiracy Theory
My day is off to a wonderful start. I filled up for $2.89 a gallon this morning. Boy, do I feel lucky.
Lucky because I beat the price increase that should hit the gas pumps today that will cause consumers — once again — to mutter expletives out loud and under their breath when they run up another 50 bucks in gas on their MasterCards. This is happening because BP announced yesterday it was shutting down an oilfield because it discovered "unexpectedly severe corrosion" in its pipelines in Alaska. The shutdown represents 8 percent of the nation's domestic oil production and could last for weeks to months, according to reports. Hence, gas prices will soar like Superman.
So, golf facilities will spend even more to fill up their fairway mowers and other gas-powered equipment to maintain their golf courses. And Joe Golfer, meanwhile, will be forced to use part of the money he normally spends on golf for the week at the local Speedway station.
No matter how you look at it, the latest news from the oil world is not good news for the golf industry. (Not to say that there’s ever any good news from the oil world.)
Now, I’m not one for conspiracy theories, but the oil companies are starting to make me wonder.
Your thoughts?
-- Larry Aylward, Editor in Chief
Lucky because I beat the price increase that should hit the gas pumps today that will cause consumers — once again — to mutter expletives out loud and under their breath when they run up another 50 bucks in gas on their MasterCards. This is happening because BP announced yesterday it was shutting down an oilfield because it discovered "unexpectedly severe corrosion" in its pipelines in Alaska. The shutdown represents 8 percent of the nation's domestic oil production and could last for weeks to months, according to reports. Hence, gas prices will soar like Superman.
So, golf facilities will spend even more to fill up their fairway mowers and other gas-powered equipment to maintain their golf courses. And Joe Golfer, meanwhile, will be forced to use part of the money he normally spends on golf for the week at the local Speedway station.
No matter how you look at it, the latest news from the oil world is not good news for the golf industry. (Not to say that there’s ever any good news from the oil world.)
Now, I’m not one for conspiracy theories, but the oil companies are starting to make me wonder.
Your thoughts?
-- Larry Aylward, Editor in Chief
Friday, July 28, 2006
So They Loaded Up the Truck and Moved to Beverly
So I open up the paper today and see that Exxon Mobil posted a $10.4 billion profit for the second quarter. Profit! And that’s up 36 percent from last year.
Dumb me — I just sold my Exxon Mobil stock.
The other major oil companies made huge profits as well for the second quarter.
Oh, and by the way, gas prices here in northeast Ohio are pushing record highs. I’m sure prices are also soaring in your area.
I’m concerned of this, as are you. According to a recent survey we conducted, 43 percent of you said that you are worried that gas prices will hurt your golf course's operation in some way. Twenty-nine percent of you said you were worried, “but not too much.”
Twelve percent of you said “prices can rise to $4 for all I care.”
I betcha those 12 percent will care if that happens.
Congress has been urging the money-making oil companies to put more of their profits toward boosting the supply of energy of for consumers. Yes, that would be a good idea.
It’s also time that the leaders of these filthy rich companies take a look in the mirror and ask themselves if they’re making too much money at the expense of Joe Consumer.
I’d love to hear your thoughts.
-- Larry Aylward, Editor in Chief
Dumb me — I just sold my Exxon Mobil stock.
The other major oil companies made huge profits as well for the second quarter.
Oh, and by the way, gas prices here in northeast Ohio are pushing record highs. I’m sure prices are also soaring in your area.
I’m concerned of this, as are you. According to a recent survey we conducted, 43 percent of you said that you are worried that gas prices will hurt your golf course's operation in some way. Twenty-nine percent of you said you were worried, “but not too much.”
Twelve percent of you said “prices can rise to $4 for all I care.”
I betcha those 12 percent will care if that happens.
Congress has been urging the money-making oil companies to put more of their profits toward boosting the supply of energy of for consumers. Yes, that would be a good idea.
It’s also time that the leaders of these filthy rich companies take a look in the mirror and ask themselves if they’re making too much money at the expense of Joe Consumer.
I’d love to hear your thoughts.
-- Larry Aylward, Editor in Chief
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Ain't Brown Grand?
I just spent the day visiting several superintendents in the northern California area. Ray Davies, senior operations manager and director of golf course maintenance and construction for Tracy, Calif.-based CourseCo, gave me a tour of several of the company’s facilities. The day also happened to be the opening round of the British Open at Royal Liverpool and several of the CourseCo superintendents couldn’t help but comment on the course’s brown grass. Adam Schauer, superintendent of CourseCo’s Deep Cliff Golf Course in Cupertino, Calif., was raving about the dry turf. “That’s the way golf should be played,” he said.
How hot and dry has it been at Royal Liverpool recently? (Please, no-dog-chasing-fire-hydrants jokes here.) It has been so hot that British Open officials posted scoreboard notices warning of fire hazards at the course. They even told John Daly to watch where he tosses his cigarette butts.
Upon returning to my hotel from my tour with Davies, I received this e-mail from Jerry Coldiron, the certified superintendent at Boone County Golf in Florence, Ky. Wrote Coldiron:
“To all my golfing friends, I hope you get a chance to see some of the British Open this weekend and see how the game was meant to be played and a course maintained. I love the Open, and wish we could all maintain courses in a little more environmentally friendly, rough-and-tumble style. I have always worked to manage toward a compromise between Americanized courses and the more traditional British look and feel. ... In closing I hope you will join me in accepting, and not being so critical, of non-perfect golf course layouts and maintenance practices.”
It’s safe to say that superintendents like Schauer and Coldiron are hoping Joe Golfer watches this year’s British Open closely and comes away with the notion that brown ain’t so bad.
-- Larry Aylward, Editor and Chief
How hot and dry has it been at Royal Liverpool recently? (Please, no-dog-chasing-fire-hydrants jokes here.) It has been so hot that British Open officials posted scoreboard notices warning of fire hazards at the course. They even told John Daly to watch where he tosses his cigarette butts.
Upon returning to my hotel from my tour with Davies, I received this e-mail from Jerry Coldiron, the certified superintendent at Boone County Golf in Florence, Ky. Wrote Coldiron:
“To all my golfing friends, I hope you get a chance to see some of the British Open this weekend and see how the game was meant to be played and a course maintained. I love the Open, and wish we could all maintain courses in a little more environmentally friendly, rough-and-tumble style. I have always worked to manage toward a compromise between Americanized courses and the more traditional British look and feel. ... In closing I hope you will join me in accepting, and not being so critical, of non-perfect golf course layouts and maintenance practices.”
It’s safe to say that superintendents like Schauer and Coldiron are hoping Joe Golfer watches this year’s British Open closely and comes away with the notion that brown ain’t so bad.
-- Larry Aylward, Editor and Chief
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
The Human Touch Rules
Have you heard the news about LESCO? The Cleveland-based provider of turf products is going back to its old way of doing business. It must -- to survive.
LESCO announced late last week that it expected a $4 million net loss for 2006. The company’s news caused its stock price (Nasdaq) to plunge 36 percent to a 52-week low.
Last year, former LESCO CEO Michael DiMino, who resigned last fall, dissolved its direct sales force and increased its mobile Stores On Wheels units to sell turf products to superintendents. The move backfired on the company. Superintendents and the company's other customers missed the face-to-face contact that LESCO's sales people provided.
The good news is that Jeffrey Rutherford, LESCO's president and chief executive officer, is reinstituting the company's direct sales force. Rutherford says he was against the decision to ditch it in the first place.
Hopefully, LESCO's business will rebound. It will take time, however.
I guess this ordeal articulates loudly of the importance of the human being in the sales process. Chalk one up for the human touch.
-- Larry Aylward, Editor in Chief
LESCO announced late last week that it expected a $4 million net loss for 2006. The company’s news caused its stock price (Nasdaq) to plunge 36 percent to a 52-week low.
Last year, former LESCO CEO Michael DiMino, who resigned last fall, dissolved its direct sales force and increased its mobile Stores On Wheels units to sell turf products to superintendents. The move backfired on the company. Superintendents and the company's other customers missed the face-to-face contact that LESCO's sales people provided.
The good news is that Jeffrey Rutherford, LESCO's president and chief executive officer, is reinstituting the company's direct sales force. Rutherford says he was against the decision to ditch it in the first place.
Hopefully, LESCO's business will rebound. It will take time, however.
I guess this ordeal articulates loudly of the importance of the human being in the sales process. Chalk one up for the human touch.
-- Larry Aylward, Editor in Chief
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Retief Tells It Like It Is
Remember the gripe fest the U.S. Open turned into two years ago at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club? Several golfers, including Tiger Woods, went off on the United States Golf Association and complained that the course played way too harshly on the last two days of the tournament. Their chief complaint was the greens were fast as Lightning McQueen. When the tournament ended, the course made more news for its stinginess than the U.S. Open's winner Retief Goosen did for his unruffledness Goosen conducted a putting exhibition on the final day at Shinnecock to win the tournament at four-under par.
Funny thing, nobody seemed to be complaining too much this year about the conditions at Winged Foot Golf Club, where Geoff Ogilvy won the event at five-over par. Goosen, meanwhile, failed to make the cut.
In a conversation with Golfdom recently, Goosen said Winged Foot’s greens were more challenging to play than Shinnecock’s.
“They were much more bumpier and not nearly rolling as true as they were at Shinnecock,” he said.
Make no mistake: Goosen said he’s not complaining about Winged Foot’s setup. “I like Winged Foot; I like all U.S. Open setups,” Goosen said.
Reflecting on his win at Shinnecock, Goosen said there shouldn’t have been such an uproar over the course’s setup.
“I don’t think they went over the top there,” he said.
Easy for him to say, you say? Well, Goosen has the right to say it.
Funny thing, nobody seemed to be complaining too much this year about the conditions at Winged Foot Golf Club, where Geoff Ogilvy won the event at five-over par. Goosen, meanwhile, failed to make the cut.
In a conversation with Golfdom recently, Goosen said Winged Foot’s greens were more challenging to play than Shinnecock’s.
“They were much more bumpier and not nearly rolling as true as they were at Shinnecock,” he said.
Make no mistake: Goosen said he’s not complaining about Winged Foot’s setup. “I like Winged Foot; I like all U.S. Open setups,” Goosen said.
Reflecting on his win at Shinnecock, Goosen said there shouldn’t have been such an uproar over the course’s setup.
“I don’t think they went over the top there,” he said.
Easy for him to say, you say? Well, Goosen has the right to say it.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Enough Is Enough on Daly
Let me up, I've had enough. Please, no more articles about John Daly. I've had a daily dose of Daly for a few weeks now, and I can't stand anymore.
Ever since Daly's book, "My Life In And Out of the Rough," came out, we've been reading and hearing about Daly's exploits constantly — how much money he lost gambling, his drinking philosophy. Enough!
And then ESPN magazine comes along last week with a cover story on Daly. Inside, the magazine lists its "Gospel According to John." The article provides JD's views on drinking, working out (an oxymoron, indeed) and . . . gulp . . sex, among other topics. But Daly's take on sex did me in. In fact, the bit may have turned me off permanently.
Please, media, no more stuff on Daly. I don't want to know what he thinks about anything, be it the American League East or the "S" word.
Ever since Daly's book, "My Life In And Out of the Rough," came out, we've been reading and hearing about Daly's exploits constantly — how much money he lost gambling, his drinking philosophy. Enough!
And then ESPN magazine comes along last week with a cover story on Daly. Inside, the magazine lists its "Gospel According to John." The article provides JD's views on drinking, working out (an oxymoron, indeed) and . . . gulp . . sex, among other topics. But Daly's take on sex did me in. In fact, the bit may have turned me off permanently.
Please, media, no more stuff on Daly. I don't want to know what he thinks about anything, be it the American League East or the "S" word.
Friday, June 09, 2006
When It Rains, It Pours at Muirfield
I’m starting to wonder if there isn’t something to the screwy, soggy legend that Muirfield Village Golf Club is cursed. Indeed, there is something weird and wet going on there.
The Dublin, Ohio-based course, site of Jack Nicklaus’ Memorial Tournament, has its own monsoon season — seemingly every year the tournament is held. Last week, it rained again and the tournament was delayed throughout the weekend. That makes rain in 21 of the 31 years the tournament has been held. As one sports writer covering the event put it, “Instead of a gray blazer, perhaps the champion of the Memorial Tournament should be awarded a rain suit and an umbrella.”
Legend has it that the reason it rains is because the course was built on sacred Indian burial ground. Hence, the deceased chief of those Indians cast a curse — as in cats and dogs — on the course during the tournament.
Think there’s anything to it?
— Larry Aylward, Editor in Chief
The Dublin, Ohio-based course, site of Jack Nicklaus’ Memorial Tournament, has its own monsoon season — seemingly every year the tournament is held. Last week, it rained again and the tournament was delayed throughout the weekend. That makes rain in 21 of the 31 years the tournament has been held. As one sports writer covering the event put it, “Instead of a gray blazer, perhaps the champion of the Memorial Tournament should be awarded a rain suit and an umbrella.”
Legend has it that the reason it rains is because the course was built on sacred Indian burial ground. Hence, the deceased chief of those Indians cast a curse — as in cats and dogs — on the course during the tournament.
Think there’s anything to it?
— Larry Aylward, Editor in Chief
Monday, June 05, 2006
Getting Older a Few MPH Every Day
What better way to celebrate my friend's 39th birthday Sunday night than to head to the ballpark.
And what better way to fritter away what turned out to be a 14-2 Indians loss than to head to the speed-pitch machine that's just a soft-toss from our season tickets in Section 113 of Jacobs Field.
Once upon a time, the Juggs Gun was my ally. Blessed with a decent arm that earned me the childhood nickname "Rifle Fife" (after Barney Fife, God rest his silver bullet and soul), I'd regularly hit 69 mph. And once — at the "Taste of Cleveland" festival about eight years ago — I jacked it up to 75. (I was immediately accused of steroid use, although I tested postive only for pierogies.)
The idea to relive our youth — I'm 42 now — was my buddy's. And he hit a personal-best 69 mph a few times while hurling four rounds of three balls. Happy Birthday, Bobby Feller Jr.!
As for me, I lasted one round. My warmup toss registered 58. Entirely confident that I was loose as could be after that one lob — the first time I've touched a baseball or softball in about three years — I let 'er rip on my second throw. Sadly, the digital board registered a 66. My third and final throw wasn't even that good, and I left the park falling back on the fact that I hadn't blown up my rotator cuff.
I can run a marathon two weeks earlier. And lay 3,400 square feet of sod the previous Tuesday. But I apparently should hang up any aspirations of starring in the Disney sequel to "The Rookie."
Then again, C.C. Sabathia didn't fare much better Sunday night.
— Thomas Skernivitz, Managing Editor
And what better way to fritter away what turned out to be a 14-2 Indians loss than to head to the speed-pitch machine that's just a soft-toss from our season tickets in Section 113 of Jacobs Field.
Once upon a time, the Juggs Gun was my ally. Blessed with a decent arm that earned me the childhood nickname "Rifle Fife" (after Barney Fife, God rest his silver bullet and soul), I'd regularly hit 69 mph. And once — at the "Taste of Cleveland" festival about eight years ago — I jacked it up to 75. (I was immediately accused of steroid use, although I tested postive only for pierogies.)
The idea to relive our youth — I'm 42 now — was my buddy's. And he hit a personal-best 69 mph a few times while hurling four rounds of three balls. Happy Birthday, Bobby Feller Jr.!
As for me, I lasted one round. My warmup toss registered 58. Entirely confident that I was loose as could be after that one lob — the first time I've touched a baseball or softball in about three years — I let 'er rip on my second throw. Sadly, the digital board registered a 66. My third and final throw wasn't even that good, and I left the park falling back on the fact that I hadn't blown up my rotator cuff.
I can run a marathon two weeks earlier. And lay 3,400 square feet of sod the previous Tuesday. But I apparently should hang up any aspirations of starring in the Disney sequel to "The Rookie."
Then again, C.C. Sabathia didn't fare much better Sunday night.
— Thomas Skernivitz, Managing Editor
'Honeymoon' Just Getting Started at Georgia Aquarium
Hopefully, you got to visit the new Georgia Aquarium during the Golf Industry Show's February stop in Atlanta. The world's biggest aquarium is quite the attraction.
If you did, you couldn't miss the two whale sharks — literally. Befitting of their home, they're the largest fish on Earth. And as of last weekend they're probably two of the happiest as well.
The aquarium just inherited two female whale sharks, Alice and Trixie, to hopefully mate with its two existing males, fellow "Honeymooners" Ralph and Norton. The sharks, which can grow up to 50 feet in length, are the only four of their kind on display outside of Asia.
The sharks' 6.2 million-gallon tank has room for two more of its kind. So as long as Ralph and Norton go "hamana-hamana-hamana-hamana"over Alice and Trixie, superintendents should find one big, happy family at the aquarium the next time the GIS comes to Atlanta.
— Thomas Skernivitz, Managing Editor
If you did, you couldn't miss the two whale sharks — literally. Befitting of their home, they're the largest fish on Earth. And as of last weekend they're probably two of the happiest as well.
The aquarium just inherited two female whale sharks, Alice and Trixie, to hopefully mate with its two existing males, fellow "Honeymooners" Ralph and Norton. The sharks, which can grow up to 50 feet in length, are the only four of their kind on display outside of Asia.
The sharks' 6.2 million-gallon tank has room for two more of its kind. So as long as Ralph and Norton go "hamana-hamana-hamana-hamana"over Alice and Trixie, superintendents should find one big, happy family at the aquarium the next time the GIS comes to Atlanta.
— Thomas Skernivitz, Managing Editor
Friday, May 26, 2006
Praise the Lord ... and (By)pass the Ibuprofen?
The worst thing about running a marathon is the Day After … and then the next two days after that. So, the last thing I wanted to read 24 hours after finishing Sunday’s Cleveland Marathon was that my salvation – those one or two or six tablets of Advil – could kill me.
Alas, better runners have fared worse. Legend has it that the Greek soldier Pheidippides, the first guy to run what we now call a marathon, dropped dead immediately after the feat. I’m guessing NSAIDs weren’t around during his day, for better or for worse. Maybe he had to deal with a 30-mph-headwind as 1,700 of us did between miles 20 to 24 along Lake Erie. Trust me, that would do it.
Anyway, it’s Friday now, and I’m feeling much better going into the Memorial Day Weekend. There’s no running in store for the next four days, although the sod for my new lawn is finally being delivered on Tuesday. My quads and calves are ready for the 3,400-square-foot challenge. I’m just wondering how to break the bad news about Advil to my lower back.
Have a great long weekend everybody! And remember our soldiers, past and present.
— Thomas Skernivitz, Managing Editor
Alas, better runners have fared worse. Legend has it that the Greek soldier Pheidippides, the first guy to run what we now call a marathon, dropped dead immediately after the feat. I’m guessing NSAIDs weren’t around during his day, for better or for worse. Maybe he had to deal with a 30-mph-headwind as 1,700 of us did between miles 20 to 24 along Lake Erie. Trust me, that would do it.
Anyway, it’s Friday now, and I’m feeling much better going into the Memorial Day Weekend. There’s no running in store for the next four days, although the sod for my new lawn is finally being delivered on Tuesday. My quads and calves are ready for the 3,400-square-foot challenge. I’m just wondering how to break the bad news about Advil to my lower back.
Have a great long weekend everybody! And remember our soldiers, past and present.
— Thomas Skernivitz, Managing Editor
Monday, May 22, 2006
It's a Gas?
We don't talk much about sports anymore around here. The water-cooler chatter these days has to do with gas prices.
"Will prices reach $3 a gallon?"
"What will prices be next year at this time?"
"Are you still planning on purchasing that Toyota Prius?"
Last year Golfdom covered rising fuel costs extensively online and in the magazine. Back then superintendents and other industry people were making plans on how to deal with rising prices. Well, it's a year later folks, and we'd like to know how you're dealing with almost three bucks a gallon (in some regions of the country it's more).
Let us know by posting your blog here.
By the way, here's to using more PGR's to cut back on mowing. And here's to taking the bus.
-- Larry Aylward, editor in chief
"Will prices reach $3 a gallon?"
"What will prices be next year at this time?"
"Are you still planning on purchasing that Toyota Prius?"
Last year Golfdom covered rising fuel costs extensively online and in the magazine. Back then superintendents and other industry people were making plans on how to deal with rising prices. Well, it's a year later folks, and we'd like to know how you're dealing with almost three bucks a gallon (in some regions of the country it's more).
Let us know by posting your blog here.
By the way, here's to using more PGR's to cut back on mowing. And here's to taking the bus.
-- Larry Aylward, editor in chief
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Let's Talk NBA Basketball
Here in Cleveland, where it's raining for what seems like the 17th day in a row, our LeBron-led Cavaliers have the Detroit Pistons sputtering like a '74 Ford Pinto. The Cavs topped the Pistons last night in D-town to take a three games to two series lead. The Cavs have won three straight after losing the first two games. It's back to Cleveland for game 6, where the Cavs can close out the Eastern Conference's best team.
Anybody out there think the Cavs have a chance?
Anybody out there think the Cavs have a chance?
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
TOCA Conference
As some of you may know, there is an association dedicated to people who write about grass. The Turf and Ornamental Communicators Association (TOCA) has been around since 1990 and is comprised of more than 200 editors, writers, publishers, photographers, public relations/advertising practitioners and other green industry leaders.
Probably the top perk about being a member of TOCA is the group's annual meeting and the opportunity to stray from the well-worn trade show path. Instead of landing in the same ol' ports — Orlando, New Orleans, Chicago, San Diego — the TOCA circuit the last three years has stopped in the likes of Charleston, S.C., Seattle and Memphis, Tenn. Next May we're headed to Savannah.
This month TOCA members trekked to Napa, Calif., for the chance to participate in educational sessions, rekindle relationships, and make no mistake about it, sample some of the best wine in the world.
The meeting couldn't have gone better, and executive director Den Gardner, administrative assistants Chris and LaVonne Moore and the group's board of directors deserve plenty of accolades.
On Golfdom's part, there was good reason to raise the glass in toast. The magazine was well represented at TOCA's awards ceremony, taking home several first-place honors:
Parkhill and Aylward each added a runner-up award to cap off a great first week of May. We're already looking forward to Savannah.
Probably the top perk about being a member of TOCA is the group's annual meeting and the opportunity to stray from the well-worn trade show path. Instead of landing in the same ol' ports — Orlando, New Orleans, Chicago, San Diego — the TOCA circuit the last three years has stopped in the likes of Charleston, S.C., Seattle and Memphis, Tenn. Next May we're headed to Savannah.
This month TOCA members trekked to Napa, Calif., for the chance to participate in educational sessions, rekindle relationships, and make no mistake about it, sample some of the best wine in the world.
The meeting couldn't have gone better, and executive director Den Gardner, administrative assistants Chris and LaVonne Moore and the group's board of directors deserve plenty of accolades.
On Golfdom's part, there was good reason to raise the glass in toast. The magazine was well represented at TOCA's awards ceremony, taking home several first-place honors:
- Best page design (over two pages) — "OSHA is Watching You," Golfdom Art Director Carrie Parkhill;
- Best operations profile story — "Sweet Home Chicago," Golfdom Editor in Chief Larry Aylward;
- Best business management story — "Back in Business at Baltusrol," Golfdom Managing Editor Thomas Skernivitz;
- Best environmental stewardship story — "Natural Wonder," Aylward;
- Best electronic newsletter story (tie) — "We Couldn't Help But Think of the Golf Industry Show," Aylward
- Best electronic newsletter story (tie) — "The Thin Side of Elvis," Skernivitz
Parkhill and Aylward each added a runner-up award to cap off a great first week of May. We're already looking forward to Savannah.
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
The Dirt on Blogs
Irony leaches from my freshly tilled yard.
It’s not often that I get to play golf course superintendent, but that’s what I did over the weekend. Last Friday I finally turned over my dead lawn – six months after having doused it with Roundup.
On Saturday, with my wife and 10-week-old boy watching from the front porch, I spent several monotonous hours pushing around all the uneven soil with what the Home Depot guys told me was a “lute rake.” I endured while pretending to be Marshall Bossard and the boys, going back and forth, from my driveway to neighbor’s driveway, for what seemed like a country mile combined. The rake did the job, although I would have preferred an ATV, some chain-link fence and a few boulders.
To my glee, the smoothed yard looked so good on Sunday that my wife suggested keeping it dirt. I celebrated by jogging 20 miles — in preparation of the May 21 Cleveland Marathon and more importantly, to even out the soreness between my upper and lower bodies.
With the dawn of a new work week, I was back to my full-time gig as a journalist, which is where the irony comes into play. This is my first blog posting in over 20 years as a journalist. And in the process of writing this, I find myself again going back and forth in a cloud of dust.
Blogs aren’t necessarily bad; I read them occasionally, especially if they’re specific to a particular interest of mine (Cleveland Indians, publishing, running, wine, etc.). Unfortunately, I have a hard time getting past the fact that bloggers are too often considered journalists, and anyone with a computer can blog these days. I’m guessing you’d feel the same way if you saw me walking toward one of your greens with a lute rake.
Of course, the staff of Golfdom promises only the best. The best of exactly what, then again, is anyone’s idea. As editor in chief Larry Aylward mentions below in the blog-christening item, some posts might enlighten, some might entertain, some might rant, and some might just shoot the breeze. If you’d like to reciprocate, more power to you. That’s the primary intent. And right about now, I could use some good advice on how to turn my beautiful plot of dirt into an even more picturesque lawn.
--Thomas Skernivitz, Managing Editor
It’s not often that I get to play golf course superintendent, but that’s what I did over the weekend. Last Friday I finally turned over my dead lawn – six months after having doused it with Roundup.
On Saturday, with my wife and 10-week-old boy watching from the front porch, I spent several monotonous hours pushing around all the uneven soil with what the Home Depot guys told me was a “lute rake.” I endured while pretending to be Marshall Bossard and the boys, going back and forth, from my driveway to neighbor’s driveway, for what seemed like a country mile combined. The rake did the job, although I would have preferred an ATV, some chain-link fence and a few boulders.
To my glee, the smoothed yard looked so good on Sunday that my wife suggested keeping it dirt. I celebrated by jogging 20 miles — in preparation of the May 21 Cleveland Marathon and more importantly, to even out the soreness between my upper and lower bodies.
With the dawn of a new work week, I was back to my full-time gig as a journalist, which is where the irony comes into play. This is my first blog posting in over 20 years as a journalist. And in the process of writing this, I find myself again going back and forth in a cloud of dust.
Blogs aren’t necessarily bad; I read them occasionally, especially if they’re specific to a particular interest of mine (Cleveland Indians, publishing, running, wine, etc.). Unfortunately, I have a hard time getting past the fact that bloggers are too often considered journalists, and anyone with a computer can blog these days. I’m guessing you’d feel the same way if you saw me walking toward one of your greens with a lute rake.
Of course, the staff of Golfdom promises only the best. The best of exactly what, then again, is anyone’s idea. As editor in chief Larry Aylward mentions below in the blog-christening item, some posts might enlighten, some might entertain, some might rant, and some might just shoot the breeze. If you’d like to reciprocate, more power to you. That’s the primary intent. And right about now, I could use some good advice on how to turn my beautiful plot of dirt into an even more picturesque lawn.
--Thomas Skernivitz, Managing Editor
Cast Your Vote
Get out and vote! If I had the gumption to not only order an absentee ballot — I'm leaving for San Francisco any minute — but drop it back in the mail before last night's deadline, you've got no reason to stop by the nearest poll. (Of course, I may miss my plane if I'm not outta here in a minute.) Good luck!
— Tom Skernivitz, Managing Editor
— Tom Skernivitz, Managing Editor
Monday, May 01, 2006
A Day Without Immigrants
Today, immigrants from across the country are boycotting work, school and shopping to show how much they matter to their cities and communities. Rallies and marches are also part of a "Day Without Immigrants." A few hours ago, I glanced out my office window to see a long line of people parading on a downtown Cleveland street to bring attention to immigrants and their plight.
What are your views on the immigration issue? Did any of your golf course employees not show up for work today to support the immigrants' cause?
--Larry Aylward, Editor in Chief
What are your views on the immigration issue? Did any of your golf course employees not show up for work today to support the immigrants' cause?
--Larry Aylward, Editor in Chief
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Here We Go Folks!
The Golfdom Blog is finally here. And welcome to it!A few things:
1. We will use this Blog to spout about our concerns and opinions. However, we don't want this to be just about what we think. We want it to be about you, too. That said, we want you to spout about your concerns and opinions as well.
2. We will use this Blog to focus on serious stuff, like immigration issues and gas prices. We want to know what you think about what's going on in the world and how what's going on is impacting your business. In this regard, we want the Blog to be useful.
3. We will also use this Blog to focus on fun stuff, like talking sports and entertainment. Maybe we'll ask you to list your five favorite rock 'n' roll albums of all time.
4. We want this Blog to be useful. We want it to garner information so we can all learn some things.
Happy Blogging!
-- Larry Aylward, Editor in Chief
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