NGF: Course closings outpace openings in 2011
Golf Course Management
The number of golf courses in the United States continued to shrink in 2011. The National Golf Foundation reported that last year saw the closing of 157.5 18-hole equivalent golf courses vs. just 19 new openings. That marks the sixth consecutive year that golf course closings have outpaced openings, and represents the largest number of annual closings during that time. All told, more than 358.5 18-hole equivalent golf courses have closed since the market's peak in 2005.More

Adidas to buy Adams Golf for about $70 million
Bloomberg Businessweek
The adidas Group and Adams Golf Inc. announced that the German company's TaylorMade-adidas Golf business segment will acquire Plano, Texas-based Adams Golf for $10.80 per share. The transaction value is approximately $70 million, which represents a premium of approximately 71 percent to the share price prior to Adams Golf's announcement that it was examining strategic alternatives Jan. 4.More

Robot on putting edge of golf technology
Boston Herald
CaddyTrek is at the forefront of golfing technology. Since its recent debut, interest in the lightweight robotic caddy has spiked among retailers and course managers who say the product's ability to glide behind golfers on the green while carrying their bags is a stroke of genius.More

Country Club of Birmingham to host 2013 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship
USGA
The United States Golf Association announced the Country Club of Birmingham, Ala., as host site for the 2013 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship. This will be the first USGA championship for the Country Club of Birmingham. Dates of the championship are Oct. 5-10. GCSAA Class A member Lee McLemore, CGCS, is superintendent at the club.More

Heselwood selected for Buffalo Hill Golf Club Hall of Fame
Daily Inter Lake
GCSAA Class A member and golf course superintendent Jon Heselwood has been named the sole inductee for 2012 to the Buffalo Hill Golf Club Hall of Fame. Heselwood was nominated by Craig Drew, who cited Heselwood's outstanding contributions towards the advancement of golf at Buffalo Hill.More

Sustainability practices could provide companies with significant financial, eco-friendly opportunities
Hydrogen Fuel News
According to a recent Ernst & Young LLP survey, though there are two important green benefits for companies who make efforts for sustainability — environmental friendliness and financial savings — many are not able to take advantage of those opportunities due to a lack of integration between sustainability programs and tax departments.More

Falling in line
Golf Business
To overcome an array of challenges, course operators are adapting the way they recruit, motivate and retain employees.More

Low-cost ways to show employees they're highly valued
Fast Company
Small businesses can compete for talent without breaking the bank. Yes, you still need to pay competitive wages to get people in the door, but it's the perks that will help you retain them. Here are 30 low-cost ideas for small businesses who want to show employees that they are highly valued.More

Action alert: Stop new H-2B programmatic rules
GCSAA
GCSAA is asking its members to help push for the passage of a House joint resolution introduced by Rep. Rodney Alexander, R-La., that seeks Congressional disapproval of the H-2B programmatic rule. If approved by both houses of Congress and signed by President Barack Obama, the joint resolution will block the H-2B programmatic rule from going into effect on April 23.More

PowerPoints from Vegas sessions available
GCSAA
PowerPoint presentations delivered at the 2012 GCSAA Education Conference, Feb. 27-March 2, in Las Vegas, now are available online. Browse the presentations on best management practices for turfgrass anthracnose, career hot topics, communications hot topics, the Environmental Institute for Golf, architectural case studies, water quality regulations, new labor and immigration concerns, the restoration of Pinehurst No. 2, the Turfgrass Talk Show and technology solutions for turf.More

Get in free to this year's Masters
GCSAA
In one of the most popular perks of GCSAA membership, the governing body at Augusta National has extended complimentary daily admission to this year's Masters to all Class A, A-Retired and AA Life members who have a valid gold membership card. Learn more about how to take advantage of this benefit.More

Students: Win scholarship with essay contest
GCSAA
The deadline for the annual GCSAA Student Essay Contest is fast approaching. Undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in turfgrass science, agronomy or other golf course management fields have until March 31 to submit an essay to be eligible. The program awards scholarships totaling $4,500.More