Two new Southwestern courses, “The Max” in Laredo, Texas and Rockwind Community Links in Hobbs, N.M., are changing the image of what municipals “should” look like—and the roles they can play in the business.
Herb Kohler to Receive 2016 Old Tom Morris Award
The former CEO of Kohler Co. took the home-products and design company into the golf business during his 43 years with the company, building four courses at Blackwolf Run and Whistling Straits and buying resort hotel properties in St Andrews, Scotland. He will receive the award named after St Andrews’ long-time superintendent at the Golf Industry Show in San Diego next February.
LPGA Championship to Become KPMG Women’s PGA Championship
The PGA of America and LPGA will hold the first KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, designed to “continue the rich tradition of the LPGA Championship” at Westchester CC in Rye, N.Y., from June 8-14, 2015, with a $3.5 million purse.
Stockton Seaview Hotel & GC Renovates Bay Course
With a completion date of April 1, the Galloway, N.J., club’s project will incorporate new tee boxes on the fourth, fifth, 10th and 12th holes, which will add 150 yards in overall length to the golf course. Additional course refinements include rebuilding all tee boxes and tee surfaces, adding new GPS units in the golf carts, and redesigning tee signs, markers and in-ground tee and fairway yardage plates.
Max A. Mandel Municipal GC Clubhouse Nears Completion
A special celebration and golf event is planned for August 28th at “The MAX,” when the new 9,000-sq. ft. building that overlooks the Rio Grande River will be opened.
Golf Cars Get Tech Makeover
Two properties are claiming firsts in golf car technology this week. Greenhorn Creek Golf Resort in Angel Camp, Calif., is the first golf course in the U.S. to provide solar-powered phone charging by mounting ultra-slim solar panels on top of golf cars. On July 27, Windy Knoll Golf Club in Springfield, Ohio will debut the first two models of Neoteric Golf’s Signature Series Hovercraft Golf Carts for use in special events.
A Special Oregon Trail
Legendary golfers and prestigious events are integral to the history of Portland Golf Club, which is gearing up for its 100th anniversary—and a course-and-grounds team, led by a superintendent who is well-schooled in tradition, is properly preserving the past while preparing for new chapters to come. By Betsy Gilliland, Contributing Editor The list of legendary…