GCM’s Industry News Digest: October 2023

Editor’s note: The GCM team will be doing our best to maintain an up-to-date feed of announcements on this page. If you have news you think belongs here, please email Scott Hollister.

Thursday, October 26

• DLF, a global seed company with over 2,200 employees in 22 countries, recently held a ceremonial ribbon cutting for local seed growers at DLF’s new state-of-the-art seed enhancement and operations facility in Albany, Oregon. The new 141,000 square foot facility features a seed enhancement line, high-speed fully automated blending line with palletizers, diverse packaging capabilities, 12 loading docks, and 65,000 square feet of storage space for finished goods and raw material.

Wednesday, October 25

• Following the monumental announcement in 2020 of Golf House Pinehurst and the first U.S. Open Anchor Site at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club, the USGA announced Pinehurst will host six more prestigious USGA championships. These events include the 2027 U.S. Women’s Amateur, 2032 U.S. Junior Amateur and U.S. Girls’ Junior, 2038 U.S. Amateur, 2044 U.S. Women’s Amateur and a future U.S. Adaptive Open.

Thursday, October 12

• Audubon International continues to report growth in its Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary for Golf Certification and Signature Sanctuary Certification tracks. Five golf courses from the United States and two from Canada recently enrolled in the ACSP for Golf Certification program. The American courses include Nemacolin Resort in southwest Pennsylvania, the University of Idaho Golf Course in Moscow, Idaho, Tam O’Shanter Golf & Country Club in Washington state, and LeBaron Hills Country Club in Massachusetts. Country Club Montreal in Quebec and Burlington Golf & Country Club in Ontario joined the Canadian contingent.

Tuesday, October 10

• Michael Benkusky, ASGCA, of Lake in the Hills, Illinois, was elected president of the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) at the organization’s recent 77th Annual Meeting in Milwaukee.

• Buffalo Turbine introduced the Cyclone KB23 Tow Behind Debris Blower. The Cyclone KB23 has a 23HP EFI gas engine powering a Direct Drive Turbine, providing long term reliable operation. The Cyclone KB23 also has Auto Nozzle Positioning with six positive stops for quickly locating optimum blowing angles at a touch of a button.

• The PGA of America announced today that Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota, has been selected as the site of the 2026 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. Hazeltine will be hosting its fifth PGA of America championship following the 2002 PGA Championship, 2009 PGA Championship, 2016 Ryder Cup and 2019 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. Hazeltine will also host the 2029 Ryder Cup.

• The Canadian Golf Superintendents Association (CGSA) is pleased to announce the next phase of its succession plan for the CEO management position. After Jeff Calderwood’s completion of his 6-year CEO contract, he evolves into an advisory role for the CGSA board of directors. Simultaneously, Kathryn Wood becomes the interim CEO, a promotion from her current COO position.

Friday, October 6

• The USGA today announced that The Country Club, in Brookline, Mass., will be the host site of four upcoming USGA championships: the 2030 U.S. Girls’ Junior, 2034 U.S. Amateur, 2038 U.S. Open and 2045 U.S. Women’s Open.

• The Canadian Golf Superintendents Association (CGSA) is pleased to announce the next phase of its succession plan for the CEO management position. After Jeff Calderwood’s completion of his 6-year CEO contract, he evolves into an advisory role for the CGSA board of directors. Simultaneously, Kathryn Wood becomes the interim CEO, a promotion from her current COO position.

• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has honored The Toro Company with a WaterSense Excellence Award for their work promoting WaterSense and water efficiency in 2022. WaterSense, a voluntary partnership program sponsored by EPA, is both a label for water-efficient products, programs, and homes and a resource for helping consumers learn ways to save water.

Wednesday, October 4

• The American Society of Golf Course Architects has announced Executive Director Chad Ritterbusch plans to retire from the position he has held since 2004. ASGCA has begun the search for a new executive director. A complete job description is available at the ASGCA's website.

• Doosan Bobcat, Inc., a company within Doosan Group, has expanded its global branding strategy as it announces its RYAN® turf renovation equipment will rebrand under the Bobcat trade dress in 2024. Bobcat, a global compact equipment, innovation and worksite solutions brand, invented the compact equipment industry when it introduced the first compact loader in 1958.

Tuesday, October 3

• WaterIQ Technologies introduced the Pulsar 4400 and 3400, feature-rich state-of-the-art ultrasonic devices for large and small water bodies. Emitting 4,400 frequencies in two-bands, the Pulsar platform stands alone in the industry, targeting green and blue green algae found in freshwater bodies as well as golden algae, and dinoflagellates that cause red tide, found in saltwater bodies with its high precision frequencies.

Monday, October 2

• Troon and its affiliated facilities around the world are raising funds for breast cancer research and awareness throughout October. Troon-affiliated golf properties will fly pink-checkered flags to help raise awareness about breast cancer and will have fundraising events to support PLAY for P.I.N.K. and other breast cancer charities. Throughout October, Troon-managed facilities will host golf clinics, putting challenges and fun playing opportunities. Additionally, Troon has created a QR code and donation landing page to raise funds for PLAY for P.I.N.K. and breast cancer research. Learn more.
  

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