Audubon International Certifies 1,000th Golf Course

Eagles Pride Golf Course is the 1000th golf course in the world to receive designation as a "Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary." The golf course is located at Washington state’s Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), the Defense Department's largest military installation on the West Coast.

"We are very proud to have earned this in recognition of our commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship, especially since we are the 2nd Army and 5th Department of Defense golf course to be so honored worldwide,” said Joint Base Commander Colonel H. Charles Hodges, Jr. “This certification is a significant honor as a tangible recognition of our commitment at JBLM to sustainability and responsible stewardship. We look forward to working closely with Audubon International in our efforts toward ensuring all future generations have an environmentally friendly place to work and play."  

The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses (ACSP), which is endorsed by the United States Golf Association, is an environmental education and certification program that provides technical assistance and guidance to help courses protect the environment, preserve golf’s natural heritage, and gain recognition for their efforts. Since being established in 1991, ACSP membership (including facilities working towards certification) has grown to more than 2,300 golf courses in the United States and 36 countries worldwide. The program issued its first certification in 1993 and now includes golf courses in North America, Central America, Europe, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia.

“Audubon International is excited to partner with the Department of Defense and its many installations to advance sustainability nationally and internationally,” said Ryan Aylesworth, Audubon International’s CEO. “The achievements of Joint Base Lewis-McChord that we are celebrating today serve as evidence that the U.S. military is committed to helping safeguard our environment and natural resources, and it is Audubon International’s goal to help our armed forces build on past accomplishments and ultimately achieve ACSP certification for all golf courses managed by the military.”

About Eagles Pride Golf Course

Eagles Pride Golf Course is located at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington’s South Puget Sound region. The 27-hole championship course was ranked one of the top ten military golf courses by Travel + Leisure and is open to the public. In addition to providing installation support to more than 40,000 active uniformed members of the armed services and about 15,000 civilian workers, JBLM supports 60,000 family members and nearly 30,000 military retirees living within 50 miles of the base.

About Audubon International
Audubon International is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to delivering high-quality environmental education and helping to implement sustainable natural resource management in all places where people live, work, and play. Through a set of award-winning environmental education and certification programs, incentive-based strategies, and public recognition, Audubon International empowers people and organizations to more sustainably manage land, water, wildlife, and other natural resources at levels ranging from individual properties to whole communities.

For more information, contact Joellen Lampman at Audubon International, 120 Defreest Dr., Troy, NY 12180, USA, (518) 767-9051 x114, e-mail at joellen@auduboninternational.org, or visit the website at www.auduboninternational.org.

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Fox Hills Golf and Banquet Hosts Golf Etiquette Program

To celebrate Women’s Golf Month, the Fox Hills Golf and Banquet Center is hosting a golf etiquette program for Metro Detroit women on Friday, June 21st from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. The program will be free for the first 20 women who register, and half off for any additional participants.

The golf etiquette program will include topics such as the importance of golf in business, business etiquette on the golf course, when to discuss business on the golf course and much more.  

“We couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate Women’s Golf Month than to host a clinic that will help women both on the golf course and in the office,” said Julia Grelak, Director of Sales and Marketing. “A lot of business takes place on the golf course and we’re excited to share our knowledge of the proper business etiquette while golfing to the women of Metro Detroit.”

The program will take place at the Fox Hills Golf and Banquet Center from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. and is free for the first 20 women who register. Any additional women who register will receive 50% off the regular price of the program, which is $17.50 per person.  Women can sign up for the golf etiquette program by calling the Fox Hills at 734-453-7272.

About Fox Hills Golf and Banquet Center

Fox Hills Golf & Banquet Center boasts 63 holes of pristine, public golf coupled with a vast state-of-the-art year round Learning Center and three distinct venues and outdoor ceremony sites to host weddings and other special events throughout the year.  From golf outings and weddings to our 50+ golf instructional programs, our family owned and operated business for over 39 years, will deliver you a first class experience. www.FoxHills.com

www.SherrieHandrinos.com

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Program Sun SafeTee ® announces new partner

Program SafeTee of the Sun, the leader in education for golfers sun protection, today announced that it has added a new partner, the Tour's Golf Junior United States (USJGT).

"" SafeTee Sun is extremely pleased that the USJGT will partner in our effort to educate young golfers on the importance of Sun protection and skin cancer prevention, said Mark Wishner, President of Sun SafeTee, "We are looking forward to working with the USJGT, an organization that is committed to junior golf".

More than 3 million in the United States skin cancers will be diagnosed this year and 12,000 people die of melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer.  According to Wishner, since golfers spend a significant amount of time in the Sun, they have an increased risk of developing cancer of skin than the general population.

"We are excited to partner with Sun SafeTee and share in its mission of educating players junior of adequate protection against the Sun," said Mark McClellan, USJGT co-founder and Co-Director. "We are looking forward to working with Sun SafeTee to provide educational opportunities to our junior players".

"The addition of the USJGT expands our footprint and provides additional resources to help educate young golfers in Sun protection. Partnering with Sun SafeTee, the USJGT is demonstrating its commitment to the game of golf and the health of the players, "added Wishner.

About sol SafeTee

Sun SafeTee program is a non-profit 501 sun protection and skin cancer awareness program designed specifically for the golf community. The program offers educational seminars for professional golf and the public and distributes information to protect from Sun and protective solar samples in various golf events. The organization focuses on Junior and collegiate golfers and is also a partner with the first Tee, the Coaches Association of America and the National Golf Coaches Association Golf and the American Junior Golf Association. The organization also has the endorsement of the public health initiative doctors orders: Play Golf. To learn more about the Sun SafeTee program or to make a tax deductible donation, visit www.sunsafetee.org.  Follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

About USJGT

The Golf Junior Tour of United States has been in operation since 2001, and more than 2,500 players have participated in one of our events since the start of the tour. Only last fall, 250 different players competed in one of our events. We expect that number to more than double this spring. Range of participants ages 8-18 and fall spent more than 250 people competed in events USJGT in Arkansas, Memphis and Nashville.

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New Program Launched to Address the Age-old Problem of Slow Play

Steve Aronson, an avid golfer, came up with the idea for Play 240 GOLF (http://www.play240golf.com/) after being paired with a notoriously slow golfer on consecutive days in a club tournament. Aronson shared his experience; “It was extremely frustrating watching the prolonged pre-shot routine time and time again over 36 holes. I wanted to tell the guy he was slow but realized after a couple of subtle comments he was not going to pick-up the pace no matter what I said.” Aronson went on, “There had to be a way to let this guy know and others like him how to play golf at an acceptable pace. I realized telling someone they are slow was not the answer. They don’t believe it to begin with and even if they did accept the fact it does not help them play any faster.”

The heart of the program is a list of 10 golf etiquette fundamentals (http://www.play240golf.com/etiquette-rules/) (click here) that can be shared among golfers. The first fundamental according to Aronson is the most important and simply states “Be Ready to Play When It Is Your Turn.” Aronson explained, “Golfers that are not ready to play when it is their turn is the single biggest reason for slow play. Most of the remaining rules address all of the bad habits many golfers have that cause them to not be ready.”

One of the bad habits 240 GOLF (http://www.play240golf.com/) addresses for example is many golfers take their golf glove off after the tee shot then wait until it is their turn for the approach shot to replace it. Fundamental #2 simply states: “Put your golf glove on BEFORE your turn, not during your turn.” This bad habit by itself may not be a big issue. When you combine it with one or more of other bad habits such as multiple practice swings, or not having selected a club to use, the time it takes to complete a shot is way too long.

Aronson decided an education program all golfers could share was needed to teach slow golfers how to be ready to play their shot in a reasonable time. After careful study and much research the 10 rules were written. Once written it became clear the rules are simply nothing more than good golf etiquette fundamentals. No different than not stepping on playing partners putting line. Aronson explained it, “most golfers readily adopt etiquette rules when learning the game. And when they are alerted to an etiquette infraction they usually respond. It seemed logical to simply consider pace-of-play rules as good golf etiquette.”

Most importantly, Aronson calculated the average time per stroke it takes a foursome to play a round of golf in 4-hours on most golf courses. All of the factors were considered including whether walking or riding, time to look for errant shots, a stop at the turn, and penalty shots. At the web site a complete breakdown of a round is outlined (see the math here). The simple answer is golfers should be able to complete a golf shot in 30 seconds or less. This holds true for most if not all shots. By following the etiquette fundamentals golfers have no problem completing a golf shot in 30 seconds without feeling rushed. According to Aronson the average time for all shots taken during a round will be around 23 seconds.

To get this program off the ground Aronson is asking golfers frustrated by slow play to get involved. “There are two simple ways golfers like me who want to improve pace of play can participate. We are asking golfers to wear a golf hat with a 240 GOLF embroidered logo. When other golfers ask you about it, which they will, tell them 240 GOLF is a set of golf etiquette fundamentals to help golfers finish a round in 240 minutes (4hours). Then hand them the 240 GOLF etiquette card, You will receive a supply of the cards with the purchase of the hat. Second, send your favorite golf pro an email with a link to the to the Play 240 GOLF website asking them to support the program. In addition to the pace-of-play etiquette card there are additional low cost, merchandising items for golf courses to promote Play 240 GOLF.

Learn more at www.Play240Golf.com

Media Contact:

Steve Aronson
info@play240golf.com
877-914-4323

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TOMI OTEE Launches Program to Recycle Textiles and Support Charities in the Golf Industry

TOMI OTEE (www.tomiotee.com) is excited to announce the start of its Positive Impact initiative, the first program in the USA to dedicated to golf’s textile sustainability. (please check http://www.tomiotee.com/gallery/recycling for hi-res gallery photos)

As the premier ecofriendly golf apparel brand, TOMI OTEE is a pioneer and leader in the full supply chain integration of sustainable and ethical practices in the golf and sports chic fashion industry. TOMI OTEE’s goal is to influence consumers to think sustainably in their practice of golf and in their consuming habits allthewhile looking good in fashionable clothing.

The Positive Impact program is the first dedicated program of focused on providing golf facilities the ability to collect used textile from their members and participants, and receive in exchange a certification of the total weight of textiles saved from landfills and of the CO2 emissions saved. This allows participating facilities to achieve at least a zero impact on the environment from textiles.

The Positive Impact program goes beyond the zero impact on the environment from textiles. TOMI OTEE is partnering US wide with local charities that focus on children, education and golf, to give back all of its textile collection profits. In the New York metropolitan area, TOMI OTEE is proud to partner with The First Tee of Metropolitan New York, and will be organizing events involving and educating both the children and the textile donors throughout the year.

TOMI OTEE has an exclusive partnership with USAGAIN to serve all golf facilities in the USA. USAgain is a leading US for-profit company that collects unwanted textiles and resells them in the U.S. and abroad, effectively diverting millions of pounds of clothing from landfills. In 2011 alone, USAGAIN collected nearly 60 million pounds of discarded clothing.

TOMI OTEE’s president, Thomas Ferre commented:”We’re very excited about this program and our partners. We couldn’t think of a better charity in New York to partner with: Barry’s team works hard and focus on values that align with ours, respect, responsibility, to educate help underpriviledged children become future leaders”. Thomas added “USAGAIN is perfectly aligned with our values and focus on operational excellence. Their track record and leadership in the industry is perfectly aligned with our focus on operational excellence to deploy quickly throughout our golf network”.

Thomas concluded “We’re very proud and excited about this program unique in the world, and we’re excited to see all the events the children will be planning around the collection at participating clubs, it’s going to be an exciting year. Everybody wins, that’s a positive impact!”.

For more information please email: contact@tomiotee.com or visit www.tomiotee.com


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Women On Par® Scholarship Program Currently Accepting Nominations

The EWGA Foundation (http://www.ewgafoundation.com/) is accepting applications for its 2013 “Women On Par®” educational scholarship now through April 15.  The program was established in 2007 to provide financial assistance to nontraditional female students, ages 30 years or older.  The $1,000.00 scholarship is offered to women in need of assistance to bolster their education to allow them to get “on par” with their peers and to advance themselves, whether professionally or personally.

Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited technical school, college or university, and actively pursuing a technical/vocational, associates or bachelor’s degree program.  EWGA membership is not a requirement to apply or receive this scholarship.  For complete eligibility requirements and application forms, click on the Foundation tab at www.EWGA.com.

“The response to our ‘Women On Par®’ scholarship program validates the enormity of the need to help nontraditional students achieve their educational goals,” says Nona Footz, president of the EWGA Foundation.  “Each year, we receive applications from nearly every state, as well as Puerto Rico and Canada. Through our ongoing scholarship fund endowment campaign, we hope to be able to expand the program, and in the future help more women get ‘on par.’ ”

Only the first 200 applications received through April 15 will be considered; notice will be posted online should the acceptance process be closed early.  Qualified applications will undergo additional screening by the Scholarship Selection Committee.  The 2013 winner will be announced by June 30.  Anyone wishing to contribute to the EWGA Foundation’s Women On Par® scholarship fund may contact the foundation at 561.691.0096 x 19 or visit ewga.com.

About the EWGA Foundation

The EWGA Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt organization formed and supported by the EWGA, a golf organization for current and aspiring business and professional women. The Foundation’s mission is to create and fund education and leadership programs for women of all ages. It addition to its efforts to endow the Women On Par® Scholarship Program , other fundraising initiatives include the development of a golf education curriculum, the funding of nationally recognized speakers to provide leadership training at EWGA’s annual conference and other such events to empower women and enrich their lives.


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