News Archive for 2002
Tuesday, December 31st, 2002
Jencess software goes underground
After 17 years in the golf business and almost 850 installations worldwide, Jencess Software and Technologies has announced their first underground installation – at the newly opened Golfer’s Edge in London
Friday, December 27th, 2002
Trespassers damage Doonbeg dunes
Doonbeg Golf Club has been forced to seek a Declaratory Judgment in the High Court in Dublin regarding individuals damaging fairways and protected dunes
Six of the best for Swan
Swan Golf Designs has improvement and upgrading projects at six of Germany’s most prestigious golf clubs
Monday, December 23rd, 2002
PGAE Congress report
Many of golf leading administrators have praised the PGA of Europe for its initiative in getting golfing organisations working together
Friday, December 20th, 2002
Callaway sued over top selling putter
Callaway Golf is being sued over the design of the Odyssey White Hot 2-Ball Putter. Two Florida men want sales of the putter stopped because they claim the putter is their idea. They will be seeking damages in the hundreds of millions of dollars and may be a billion dollars
No COR limit for PGA club pro events
The Professional Golfers’ Association has clarified its position in respect of the use of high COR drivers and will not be introducing a limit of 0.830 in regional and national tournaments, with the exception of the PGA Europro Tour
Thursday, December 19th, 2002
US golf market worth $62 billion
The World Golf Foundation report estimates US golf economy at $62 billion. The report identifies the financial contributions of multiple aspects of the golf industry, such as golf facility operations ($20.4 billion), golf course capital investment ($7.8 billion), golfer supplies ($5.9 billion), and media, tournaments, associations, and charities ($4.4 billion). Also included is the impact on “enabled” industries, such as hospitality/tourism ($13.4 billion) and real estate ($9.9 billion)
New Director at Clubhaus
The Board of Clubhaus PLC has announced the appointment of Mr Thierry Delsol as an Executive Director of the Company. The Group has also announced its results for the year ended 30th September 2002
Wednesday, December 18th, 2002
First conference for OGRO
The Organisation of Golf Range Owners (OGRO) has announced details of its first National Conference. It will be held at Cedar Court Hotel, Harrogate on 22nd January 2003. Add this to BTME and Clubhouse and next month Harrogate is hosting what is in effect the biggest and most wide-ranging golf business-to-golf business event that the UK has ever seen
Tuesday, December 17th, 2002
Callaway to beat Wall Street projections
With positive early results from the launch of the new Great Big Bertha II premium titanium line of drivers, continued strong demand for the Odyssey White Hot 2-Ball Putter and higher sales in core products the company currently expects net sales for the full year to be approximately $790 million, and earnings for the full year to be between $0.96 and $1.00. For the first quarter of 2003 the Company’s current guidance is that net sales are estimated to be approximately $270 million, a 5% increase compared to 2002 but annual net sales are estimated to be flat year over year
Industry award for Tri-Golf
Tri-Golf, an adapted form of golf aimed at primary schools age children, has received the Manufacturer of the Year Award from the British Sports Industry Federation. The criteria for judging the awards included innovation, creativity and an impact on participation
Monday, December 16th, 2002
America divided on Augusta policy
Whilst the American public wants the Masters Tournament moved to another course if Augusta National continues not to admit female members, clear majorities of all those who play and follow golf are more supportive of the club
Crown Sports pulls out of golf
As a key step in implementing a strategy of concentrating on its UK health and fitness business, the Independent Directors of Crown Sports plc have decided to pursue the sale of Crown Golf, the largest of the group’s non-health and fitness businesses. All commercial terms of the proposed sale have now been agreed. The board of Crown Sports has approved the sale of Crown Golf for £14.5 million in cash to New Golf Club Investments Limited
Friday, December 13th, 2002
Golf’s ‘missing millions’
Mintel’s latest findings suggest that, while there are currently 1.34 million golf club members in the UK and Ireland, four times as many golfers play at least once a month on a ‘pay and play‘ basis
Vale Do Lobo is number one
Vale do Lobo resort, which celebrated its 40th Anniversary in 2002 and currently receives over 700,000 visitors per year, has been voted as the “Company of the Year” by the Portuguese Golf Federation
Thursday, December 12th, 2002
‘Diamonds roll 4ever’
Selfridges in London is to stock the world’s ‘first truly diamond golf club’ in time for Christmas
EGU Masterclass
The English Golf Union’s flagship educational event, the Greenkeeping Masterclass, attracted eighty greenkeepers and course managers to Woodhall Spa
Wednesday, December 11th, 2002
Howie is new Callaway MD
Callaway Golf Company has appointed Neil Howie as managing director of Callaway Golf Europe, Ltd. succeding Patrice Hutin who was promoted to Callaway Golf Executive Vice President of Global Sales & Advertising in September 2002
Tuesday, December 10th, 2002
January launch for ‘Golf Digest Ireland’
Walton Media have teamed up with Golf Digest, the largest golf publishers in the world, to launch ‘Golf Digest Ireland’
Monday, December 9th, 2002
Smurfit acquires Paris International
Dr Michael Smurfit, President of The K Club, together with other investors, has acquired the Paris International Club, one of France’s most famous golf courses, from ClubCorp International Inc. Financial terms have not been disclosed
Sir Michael for President of PGAE
Sir Michael Bonallack is to be the new President of the Professional Golfers’ Associations of Europe
Friday, December 6th, 2002
Change of owners at Glenmuir
Glenmuir has been purchased by Ordinal Limited, part of the Ruia Group owners of a number of significant textile businesses, importing and distributing household textiles and hosiery. The Glenmuir business will continue to be based in Lanark. No redundancies will follow as a result of this acquisition
New drainage proves a sound investment
Old Thorns Hotel Golf & Country Club has quickly seen a return on its investment in a new high-tech drainage system, completed just in time for the wettest November in the club’s history
Thursday, December 5th, 2002
Glendale moves into management
Glendale Golf has agreed a deal to take control of Edwalton golf courses in Nottinghamshire. The company already maintains courses but the Edwalton facility, owned by Rushcliffe Borough Council, will be the first it has both maintained and managed. Glendale plans to spend more than £220,000 on improvements over the next two years
Wednesday, December 4th, 2002
Architect appointed for St Andrews No 7
David McLay Kidd, the young golf course architect whose recent projects include Bandon Dunes in Oregon and Queenwood, the new Surrey heath land course, Has been selected from a short-list of six contenders
