Notes from around the golf industry

Strategic Initiatives & Acquisitions

Jacobsen Sells Commercial Grounds Care Product Lines

Textron’s Jacobsen business unit has sold its commercial grounds care product lines to Commercial Grounds Care, Inc., an affiliate of Schiller-Pfeiffer, Inc., located in Southampton, Pennsylvania. The sale includes the Jacobsen Johnson Creek, Wisconsin, manufacturing facility, as well as products branded Bob-Cat, Bunton, Ryan, Steiner and Brouwer. According to Jacobsen officials, the sale of the commercial grounds care product lines allows the company to “heighten the focus on its golf and professional turf-related markets with equipment manufactured in Charlotte, North Carolina and Ipswich, England.” Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Tecumseh Buys U.K. Operation

Tecumseh Power Company has purchased Tecumseh U.K., Ltd., from Tecumseh Europa, S.p.A. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The acquisition calls for the renaming of the United Kingdom operation to Tecumseh Power International, Ltd., which will serve he company’s commitment to the European, Australian, African, Asian and Pacific Rim markets. The staff, located in both the U.K. and central Europe, will be responsible for OEM sales and distribution of service parts for Tecumseh engines, transmissions, and hydraulic and gear drive products.

Clay Elkins Forms Own Design Firm

Golf course architect Clay Elkins has formed his own design practice, Elkins Golf Course Design. Based in Athens, Texas, Elkins Golf Course Design is currently spearheading four projects in various stages of development: an 18-hole master plan and renovation of Athens Country Club; a master plan for Twin Lakes Golf Course in Canton, Texas; a renovation and expansion plan for the 9-hole St. Mary’s Country Club in Berwick, Louisiana; and a 9-hole and range project called Lakeview, also in Athens.

Pukka Signs Licensing Agreement With Cutter & Buck

Pukka, Inc., a designer, manufacturer and marketer of custom headwear, has signed a three-year licensing agreement with Cutter & Buck, Inc., giving Pukka the exclusive rights to design and produce The Cutter & Buck Headwear Collection. Debuting in November 2006, The Cutter and Buck Headwear Collection, which will be sold through a select number of promotional products distributors, will offer an in-stock inventory of basic caps as well as fully customizable, made-to-order headwear in low minimums.

Kemper To Manage Hiddenbrooke GC

KemperSports has entered into a management agreement with Hiddenbrooke Golf Club near San Francisco, California. The public-access facility, which has been open 11 years, includes an Arnold Palmer-designed golf course.

Pine Needles To Develop Master-Planned Community

Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club in Southern Pines, North Carolina, has formed a joint venture with Hines, an international real estate firm, to develop Pine Needles Village. Pine Needles Village will be a 550-acre master-planned, mixed-use development incorporating a variety of residential offerings in a traditional neighborhood design, as well as office and commercial components. The development is adjacent to, and will be incorporated into, the Pine Needles and Mid Pines golf resorts.

Ritchie Brothers To Auction Jewel Golf Course

Ritchie Brothers Auctioneers has been retained to oversee the liquidation of the Jewel Golf Course in Lake City, Minnesota. The course is being sold in an unreserved auction that takes place on September 23.

Tycrop Offers Lease Program Through Wells Fargo

Tycrop, a manufacturer of turf maintenance equipment, has entered into lease financing program with Wells Fargo Financial. The lease finance program is available to all U.S. customers.

Flick Relocates Offices

Jim Flick, one of the world’s top golf teachers, has moved his office to Carlsbad, California, after splitting time over the last 20 years between Desert Mountain in Scottsdale, Arizona, and Boyne Highlands in northern Michigan.

E-Z-Go Renews Relationship With Universal

E-Z-Go has renewed a long-term agreement with Universal Orlando to be the exclusive provider of golf cars and utility vehicles to the resort and theme park. Under terms of the agreement, E-Z-Go will provide an array of vehicles to the Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure parks, along with the CityWalk retail, dining and entertainment complex. The renewal extends a relationship that began in 2001.

Troon Golf To Manage Verde Golf Resort

Troon Golf has been retained by Oceanico Group to manage its new five-star Verde Golf Resort in the Azores, Portugal. Under the agreement, Troon will oversee the golf operations for the resort’s two courses, the Batalha Course and the Furnas Course.

Suunto Forges Alliance With Datrek

Suunto, a manufacturer of sports instruments, has reached an exclusive distribution agreement with Datrek Miller International. Under the agreement, DMI will promote and distribute the complete line of Suunto wristop golf computers, including the Suunto G6, a wristop launch monitor. DMI will now actively sell Suunto’s golf line to green-grass shops, pros and golf specialty stores.

New Course Openings & Renovations

Fairmont Hotels To Build New Development in Monterey

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and Seaside Resort Development, LLC, recently unveiled plans for a new mixed-use development in Seaside on the Monterey Bay in northern California. Under the partnership, Fairmont will manage the resort, which is scheduled for completion during 2009. The hotel will feature 330 rooms and suites; 24,000 square feet of meeting space; a 14,000-square-foot Willow Stream spa; dining outlets; and an outdoor pool. The resort will also offer access to the existing 36-hole Bayonet and Black Horse golf course facility that Fairmont will manage.

Bedford Springs Resort Starts Renovation of Ross Course

Bedford Resort Partners, Ltd., and Benchmark Hospitality International have begun a complete restoration of the historic Donald Ross Course at Bedford Springs Resort in Bedford, Pennsylvania. The project will include refurbishment of the routing for select original 1895 holes and the restoration of Shober’s Run stream channel and floodplain, which traverses the course and will be incorporated into the design. The course is expected to reopen in spring 2007.

Construction of New Indian Wells Course Continues

Construction of the new Clive Clark Course at The Golf Resort at Indian Wells in California is on schedule, with all 18 holes completely grassed. The golf course’s water features (holes 4, 5, 6, 9 and 13-18) are completed, and a noise abatement wall along Highway 111 was finished in mid-August. Officials report the course is on pace for its grand opening scheduled in early November.

The Promontory Reveals Plans For Two New Courses

The Promontory, a 36-hole private club and community in Park City, Utah, has unveiled plans for a par-60 short course designed by architect Forrest Richardson and a regulation-length course to be created by Tom Weiskopf. Scheduled to be seeded in fall 2007, the Forrest Richardson Short Course will feature 19 holes, allowing members to play a six-, nine- or 18-hole course. The plans also call for an 18-hole putting course, a full-service driving range and a teaching facility. The Weiskopf course, yet to be named and routed, will overlook Brown’s Canyon and be adjacent to the eastern edge of Park City.

Stone River To Begin Residential Development

Stone River Golf Club, formerly AAKI Ranch International, is scheduled to begin development of a new master-planned community in late 2006. The plan for the Royse City, Texas-based club calls for 60 golf villa homesites and more than 200 lots ranging in size from 7,500 square feet to 12,500 square feet.

In addition to the residential component, Stone River has engaged the services of Prime Golf Group of Dallas, Texas, to manage the operation of the newly named golf course. Six golf holes are being designed around a new lake on the west side of the property, and once complete will  form a new routing for the 18-hole course.

Construction Begins on New Palm Harbor Course at Palm Coast Resort

Centex Destination Properties has begun a multi-million dollar renovation project that will include the redesign of the Palm Harbor Golf Course at Palm Coast Resort in Florida. Nicklaus Design is completely overhauling the 18-hole course and constructing a new practice facility. A new clubhouse featuring a full-service golf shop, dining and lounge areas, as well as locker facilities for men and women will complement the renovated course, which is scheduled to reopen in fall 2008.

Plans Unveiled for Sand Hollow Golf Club

The developers of Sand Hollow Resort in Lehi, Utah, have unveiled plans for 27 holes of golf at Sand Hollow Golf Club. The Championship Course, an 18-hole layout, and a separate nine-hole walking course will both be designed by John Fought and will incorporate ridgeline, canyon and elevation variations.

Nicklaus To Renovate Valhalla

Jack Nicklaus has been selected by the PGA of America to spearhead renovations at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky. The modification program will include replacing grass on all 18 greens and modifying some contours; reconstructing the complexes on Nos. 6, 10, 11 and 16; and constructing additional bunkers on Nos. 1, 5, 12, 15, 16 and 17.

Sebonack Golf Club Opens On Long Island

Sebonack Golf Club, a private facility designed by Jack Nicklaus and Tom Doak, has officially opened. The 7,200-yard course, which is located on Long Island and features panoramic views of Great Peconic Bay and Cold Spring Pond, marks the 300th course design by Nicklaus’ group.

Nicklaus Tapped To Design Course in Canada

Nicklaus Design has been selected to design a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course on the Ucluelet Inlet in British Columbia as part of a 370-acre resort. The first phase of development, which is located next to the Pacific Rim National Park, will incorporate the 18-hole course and an enclave of 30 oceanfront and semi-oceanfront estate lots that vary in size from a half-acre to three-fourths of an acre.

Sponsorships, Promotions & Special Recognitions

Jacobsen Named Exclusive Supplier to PGA Golf Properties

Jacobsen, a Textron company, has reached a 10-year agreement with the PGA of America to serve as both the Official Turf Equipment Supplier to the PGA of America and Exclusive Turf Equipment Supplier to PGA Golf Properties. Under the agreement, Jacobsen turf equipment will now be used by PGA Golf Properties at facilities across the nation. The agreement also allows Jacobsen to support PGA-branded media and offer special programs to golf facilities.

Marriott Golf Expands Rounds and Rooms Program

Marriott Golf has expanded its “Rounds & Rooms” program to select properties in the United Kingdom, including Forest of Arden Country Club in England and Dalmahoy Country Club in Scotland. “Rounds & Rooms,” which is now being offered at a total of 21 properties and 28 courses worldwide, allows golfers to simultaneously book tee times and hotel rooms at the company’s Web site.

Staff Appointments & Promotions

Michael O’Bright has joined Montreal’s Redstone Apparel Group as director of the company’s North American corporate promotional division.

Jason Cheney has been named clubhouse manager of Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort in Nevada.
 
Chris Rather has been appointed director of golf course agronomy for Horseshoe Bay Resort in Horseshoe Bay, Texas.

Andrew Crum has been promoted to national sales director of Boccieri Golf. Tom Waniewski and Ken Bauco have been named regional sales directors.

Mike Gaspard has been promoted to head golf professional at J.W. Marriott Wildfire Golf Club in Phoenix, Arizona.

Mark Clayton has been named executive vice president and CFO of East West Partners Club Management.

Craig Hall has been hired as the sales manager for the BMW Charity Pro-Am at The Cliffs in Greenville, South Carolina.

Judy Donovan has been hired as the sales manager for the eastern U.S., by LIJA, a manufacturer of women’s golf and sportswear. 

Casey Cleghorn has been hired as the “experience manager” of The Experience at FarmLinks in Alabama.

Gordon Simmonds has been named global sales and marketing director for Classics of Golf.

Jon Scott, who formerly worked at Nicklaus Design, is returning to the company as vice president of agronomic services.

L. Gerard Johnson has been named senior vice president of operations for ProLink Solutions.