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Golf courses can help save birdies, say RSPB

London Daily Telegraph 2009 : There are more than 140,000 hectares of rough and out-of-bounds areas on golf courses across Britain, the same area covered by all the RSPB’s nature reserves, which could be managed for wildlife.

Now the charity has asked golf courses to cut down the use of chemicals and fertilisers in these unkempt areas and promote a good habitat for birds.

The RSPB and golf’s governing body, the R&A, have joined forces to produce a publication to help course managers encourage birds, Birds and Golf Courses: A Guide to Habitat Management.

“Golf courses may have gained a bad reputation, perhaps not always justified, among environmentalists in the past but that is changing,” says the RSPB’s Nigel Symes, who co-wrote the publication.

“The truth is that every golf course has potential to be a sanctuary for wildlife, and to provide an important stepping stone for birds and other animals whose habitat is under threat. Whilst researching this report we have come across a lot of inspiring examples of golf clubs which are doing really great things for wildlife.

“We would now like more golf clubs to look at what they can do for skylarks, woodlarks, corn buntings and all kinds of birds. Planting native plants like heather and creating reed beds and hay meadows as well as reducing pesticide and fertiliser use can all make a big difference.”

Steve Isaac, from the R&A said bird song might actually help golfers get more from their day on the course.

“For most golfers part of the enjoyment of a game is getting out of the rat race for a while and enjoying the wildlife. Often some wild bird song as you walk around the course can more than make up for a poor game of golf,” he said.

New high for Indian golf in WGC event

Shanghai, Nov 4 (Press Trust India) It will be an unprecedented high for Indian professional golf with four from the country teeing up in the prestigious USD seven million WGC-HSBC Champions here tomorrow.

Jeev Milkha Singh, Jyoti Randhawa, Gaganjeet Bhullar and C Muniyappa would be part of the star-studded field headlined by none other than Tiger Woods at the Shanghai’s Sheshan International Golf Club here.

“This is a very proud moment for Indian professional golf,” Professional Golf Tour of India Director Padamjit Sandhu said.

“The consolidated efforts of our tour and event partners are helping take Indian professional golf to the next level and we are confident the momentum will continue,” Sandhu said.

Jeev has been paired with Gonzalo Fernandes-Castano and Prayad Marksaeng, while Randhawa has Peter Hanson and Richard Sterne for company in the first two rounds.

Golf accepted to Olympics

Rugby Sevens and golf have both been accepted by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for inclusion in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janiero.

The decision, which required a simple majority vote for each sport at the IOC Congress in Copenhagen, will mean a massive jump in sponsorship opportunities for Rugby Sevens, which is keen to further expand its growing fanbase.

And golf, although seen by many as too elitist a sport to be included in the Games, was also accepted after receiving the green light from the executive board in the summer.

The proposed formats for the two sports will see a 72-hole strokeplay competition for men and women in golf, with 60 players in each field.

Rugby Sevens is expected to see 12 men’s teams and 12 women’s teams competing in intertwined round-robin tournaments, although in the presentation to the IOC the sport’s organisers suggested this number could be increased depending on various logistical issues.

Rugby Sevens easily received the required majority, polling 81 votes of a possible 106 from the committee with just eight in opposition and one abstention, while golf received 63 ‘yes’ votes, 27 ‘no’ votes and two abstentions.

International Rugby Board (IRB) president Bernard Lapasset, who made the final presentation to the IOC at the Bella Centre, said the sport “embraces loyal and fair play incorporating partnerships and team-work and would work successfully in amongst the Olympic family”.

And Ty Votaw of the PGA Tour, who led his sport’s final presentation, said: “We presented a very compelling case for our sport to be included.

“We have had unprecedented, unified support across the entire golfing world.”

The decision means the top professional golfers will now have the opportunity to compete for an Olympic medal in the same way as their professional tennis counterparts

Presidents Cup offers great golf, but not much of a competition

If the “group hug” that is the Presidents Cup ever hopes to be taken seriously as an important sporting competition it needs to develop a sharper edge.

The Presidents Cup lost more than a little bit of respect as a legitimate athletic event on Saturday when smiling International captain Greg Norman raced on to the green to embrace not one of his own men but American Steve Stricker, who had just drained a 26-foot birdie putt to put a stake through his team’s heart (click here for our report).

Welcome to the Presidents Cup, the friendly and fun competition where the biggest bit of controversy at a chilly and subdued Harding Park was the sight of U.S. team special assistant and cigar-chomping basketball Hall of Famer Michael Jordan lighting it up on the no-smoking municipal golf course.

The only hint of an argument the entire week was over who could lavish more praise on the other team. “You’re the greatest. No, no, you’re the greatest and your wives are the greatest too,” was as ugly as the trash talking got around the Harding Park clubhouse.

The Presidents Cup need not turn into a blood bath but simply a hint of bad blood just might inject some badly needed spice.

This was the third straight Cup in which the Internationals have been spanked by the Americans, accepting the outcome with smiles and masochistic delight while promising to do better next time.

The event attracted sell-out crowds all four days but more tension was to be found during highly competitive practice rounds or even, so it’s said, the table tennis games in the off-limits team room.

Phil Mickelson reportedly came equipped with his own custom-made paddles.

How slow was the golf? So slow Jordan received more television time and did more interviews than U.S. captain Fred Couples.

It was never made clear what exactly Jordan’s role was with the U.S. team but he got to dress the part in team uniform, scooted around in golf court and hang out with the boys while offering his insight.

Disgraced Major League home run king Barry Bonds was not given a special assistant title or a nice uniform but he did get a pass that allowed him to tag along with the team inside the ropes at Harding Park, along with the players’ wives.

Apparently the wives also perform a role at the President Cup since they too have uniforms and dress alike — just like a real team.

But if you if took the Presidents Cup for what it is — an exhibition of exceptional golf — then there was plenty of fine shot-making and creativity to be seen at Harding Park.

If the patriotic pride seemed contrived, there was no mistaking that players on both sides wanted to show what magic they could achieve with a club in their hands.

Part of the problem with the Presidents Cup is that the Americans can wave their flag while the Internationals are a team without a home — although most have an American address.

That sense of camaraderie and purpose is lost in a mix of language and cultures.

But that has not kept the Ryder Cup between the U.S. and Europe from developing the type of riveting rivalry that places that event among the most compelling in sport.

PHOTO: International team captain Greg Norman (L) of Australia talks with U.S. team member Tiger Woods after the U.S. won the Presidents Cup golf tournament at Harding Park golf course in San Francisco, California, October 11, 2009

Omega Dubai Ladies Masters Organisers Need Volunteers

DUBAI The Organisers of the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters have called upon golfing enthusiasts to come forward and be part of the action when the season-ending Ladies European Tour event gets under way at the Emirates Golf Club from December 9 to 12. 2009

‘golf in DUBA’’ – the promoters and organisers of the euro 500,000 tournament—estimates over 150 volunteers will be required to act as marshals, scorers, TV production assistants, scoreboard carriers and carry out other related positions as needed.

“The role of the volunteers will be crucial in continuing to showcase Dubai as the ‘city of golf’, as we strive to make the Dubai Ladies Masters the most successful tournament on the Ladies European Tour,” stated Mohamed Juma Buamaim, vice-chairman and CEO of ‘golf in DUBAI.’

“We spend a great deal of time making sure the course is in perfect condition and that we have the best players available for the event itself,” said Buamaim.

“However, none of this would be possible without the assistance of the volunteers, and we are calling on the UAE golfing community as a whole to play their part in ensuring we put our best foot forward as a country.” The volunteers will be deployed in a variety of key positions under the expert guidance of a highly-experienced chief marshal. All golf fans wishing to be part of Dubai’s premier ladies event may visit the tournament website for online registration. Preference will be given to those volunteers who can commit to two or more days.

“We will be delighted to welcome back experienced marshals and volunteers, but encourage newcomers to participate as well,” said Buamaim, noting that all necessary training and golf course familiarisation would be provided for the new volunteers to help ensure they were comfortable in all situations.

“The volunteers have a great time and always comment on how enjoyable an experience it is to come together for the event.”

IOC to announce addition new sports and its location for the 2016 Olympic Games

Today, the International Olympic Commetee (IOC) will announce the location of and new sports added for the 2016 Olympic Games. President Barak Obama’s presence in Copenhagen to plead the case for Chicago has led observers to think that Chicago is frontrunner to get the Games.

Coming Friday 9th October 2009 is the most significant day for golf as the body will vote on which sports to add to the 16th Olympic Games. But, today may well serve as an indicator of the health of Olympic golf.

Chicago is a finalist among four cities vying to get the Games, including Tokyo, Madrid, and Rio de Janeiro. Among the four cities, Chicago seems the best for golf. Considering the passion for golf in the Chicagoland area and the quality of golf courses in the metro region, golf would have a very healthy re-introduction to the Olympics were it selected to host the 2016 Games.

Tokyo and Madrid are both cities in nations that are both passionate and well-known for their professional golf, but perhaps not as much for the character of their golf courses. Certainly, Japan could have quite the ambassador for the ’16 Games in Ryo Ishikawa, who would be 24 at the time of the Games. By comparison, Tiger Woods would be 40.

Rio de Janeiro is an alluring choice because a South American city has never hosted the Olympics. But, golf has not really taken hold in Brazil in the same way that it has in the other three nations seeking the bid. In general, it lacks a siginificant portion of the massive infrastructure needed to support the Olympic invasion. Then again, Athens did as well and was selected to host the ’04 Games.

Miyazoto wins Evian title in playoff

Ai Miyazato has won her first LPGA Tour title after beating Sophie Gustafson in a playoff at the co-sanctioned Evian Masters in France on Sunday.

The 24-year-old Japanese golfer was tied with joint third-round leader Gustafson after closing with three-under-par 69, while Sweden’s Solheim Cup veteran carded 70 after a long eagle putt at the final fell agonizingly short.

The 35-year-old Gustafson, who has won four LPGA titles and 13 on the Ladies’ European Tour, then missed a birdie putt from the edge of the green at the first extra hole, while Miyazoto was successful with her effort.

The tournament had been incredibly tight, with the lead shared at the end of every round.

South Korea’s Meena Lee recorded nine birdies in her 65 to share third place with American veteran Cristie Kerr (70), finishing one shot behind the leaders on 13-under 275.

Two shots further back, Sweden’s defending champion Helen Alfredsson shot 70 to share fifth place with American Paula Creamer (70) and Australia’s veteran former world No. 1 Karrie Webb (71).

They were a shot ahead of joint overnight leader Na Yeon Choi (71), her fellow South Korean In-Kyung Kim (74) and Japan’s Yuko Mitsuka (70).

Becky Brewerton of Wales, who had also shared the 54-hole lead, slumped with a 76 to finish in a tie for 13th on 280.

Former American teen prodigy Michelle Wie ended with 70 to be tied for 20th on 283, while world No. 1 Lorena Ochoa of Mexico was equal 34th on 286 after carding 73

Dubai confirm £100m to Open 2009 European Tour

The Dubai-based owners of the Turnberry Resort which is venue for 2009′s Open Championship, will confirm their intention to honour a £100 million five-year deal with the European Tour this week. The tour has been in question because of the global economic downturn.

Telegraph Sport has disclosed that Nakheel, the property-development arm of the Dubai government, will deliver a timely boost to the game on the eve of the highest-profile event in the European calendar by committing the £100 deal.

The said deal had been put into doubt by the financial crisis, which has created an explosion of the property bubble that has driven Dubai’s rapid development in the recent past. The £100m sponsorship, which saw the Order of Merit renamed the Race to Dubai and a $10m end-of-season Dubai World Championship, was initially signed by Leisurecorp, a division of Nakheel.

It was intended as a promotional tool for the Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, a massive development of four Championship golf courses and thousands of residential units. The financial collapse placed the entire prospect in jeopardy last autumn, and in March this year Leisurecorp was subsumed into the parent company Nakheel, which instituted a review of all its commitments.

The review potentially placed a deal that was intended to bankroll the European Tour for the next five years and beyond in jeopardy, but negotiations over the last few weeks appear to have been successful.

It is understood that delays in completing the Jumeirah development had led to a possibility that the World Championship event could be put back from November, but it will now take place as originally scheduled.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, chairman of Nakheel’s ultimate holding company, was at Turnberry on Tuesday to meet representatives of the European Tour, and is understood to have signed off the final details of the deal.

Hamza Mustafa, managing director of Nakheel Leisure, confirmed to Telegraph Sport that the deal had been under review, but said the company would honour the terms of its original commitment.

“We have been looking at every aspect of our business. In this climate you would expect us to review our business. No-one is immune from this downturn, but we have recently reaffirmed to the European Tour that we stand by our commitment to the deal on the same terms. We hope that by standing by golf in the hard times the game will remember us when times improve.”

Nakheel has also decided to delay the full redevelopment of Turnberry because of the downturn. Some 50 rooms have been upgraded in time for the Open, but the remaining 50 will not be refurbished until the economy improves.

Rescuing the Race to Dubai deal represents a coup for the European Tour and bucks the recessionary trend that is hitting golf at all levels.

Sponsors that have lavished riches on the world’s best players and the tournament prize funds for which they compete are reviewing their spending, corporate hospitality budgets have been slashed, and property developments linked to golf resorts have seen the bottom fall out of the market.

Even the Open is not immune. Hospitality spending at Turnberry is down by at least 10 per cent, squeezed by the recession and an avoidable clash with the Lord’s Test.

RBS, one of six R&A patrons, has made the most marked cuts in its expenditure by necessity, with public opinion still against a company that under Sir Fred Goodwin was among the most indulgent of sponsors. Forced in to a hair shirt by public opinion they have abandoned their normal double-decker hospitality chalets overlooking the 18th fairway for marquee space in the tented village, with a ban on champagne and a buffet replacing sit-down three course lunches.

RBS’s current deal with the R&A has another year left to run but with the company committed to cutting 90 per cent from its sponsorship budget a renewal cannot be taken for granted.

The challenges facing the Open are slight in comparison to the wider professional game and leisure market, and the R&A will still hope to turnover £40m from this year’s championship.

Elsewhere the climate is more difficult. Guy Kinnings, managing director of IMG golf, acknowledges that the climate has changed. “Where you have great athletes like Tiger Woods and great tournaments such as the Open, they will continue to flourish, but there are some [tournaments] that inevitably will get caught out by the downturn. And the business is going to be more competitive and cut-throat.”

Away from the professional game the squeeze is even more acute. “There is no doubt that the downturn has had a dramatic effect on the golf industry across the board,” says Mark Sandilands, a manager in KPMG’s golf advisory practice. “A lot of the people we talk to are freezing their building plans because demand has dropped away completely and finance is harder than ever to raise,” he said