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Publications
The Golf Press Association announces it will produce a special 2002 The Wire Show Guide e-newsletter in conjunction with the PGA Merchandise Show, Jan. 24-27 in Orlando, Fla. The guide, to be delivered via e-mail on Jan. 24 to targeted media worldwide, allows exhibitors attending the show and companies not in attendance to increase exposure of their new products.
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Events
Thousands of influential buyers and members of golf's leading organizations have registered to attend the 2002 PGA Merchandise Show, Jan. 24-27. As the world's largest golf trade show, the PGA Merchandise Show attracts nearly 53,000 industry professionals to preview the latest products of more than 1,400 exhibitors in 700,000 square feet of exhibit space in Orlando's Orange County Convention Center.
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People
The National Golf Course Owners Association will honor Arnold Palmer with its Award of Merit and the Course of the Year Award at its 20th NGCOA Annual Conference and Trade Show in Phoenix, Ariz., Jan. 23. In addition, Jerry Hollingsworth, long-time owner of Singing Hills Golf and Tennis Resort in El Cajon, Calif., will be presented with the Don Rossi Award.
For more on Palmer's award...
For more on Hollingsworth's award...

Equipment
Nike Golf considers unveiling a new 400cc Forged Driver -- in addition to already announced 275cc and 350cc models -- at the PGA Merchandise Show later this month in Orlando. The U.S. Golf Association previously announced its intention to limit clubhead sizes to less than 385cc.
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OGIO, a manufacturer of golf bags, introduces its new Mid-Life Crisis golf bag as the first of its new cart bag collection to debut at the 2002 PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Fla., later this month. The MLC offers nine forward-facing pockets -- two of which are apparel-specific and one fleece-lined for valuables -- as well as OGIO's signature Putter Pit and is designed for pull or motorized cart use.
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According to the independent Darrell Survey, more than 53 percent of the field at the season-opening Mercedes Championships in Hawaii wore Black Widow cleats by Softspikes. In all, Black Widow cleats accounted for 85 percent of the non-metal spikes worn in the 32-player Mercedes Championships field.
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Media
Tom Watson's comeback victory at the 2001 Senior PGA Championship and David Toms' memorable record-breaking march to the PGA Championship feature prominently in NBC Sports' presentation of The PGA of America's Year in Review. The program is set to air Saturday, Jan. 12, from 3:30-4:30 p.m. EST.
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Associations
The Professional Caddies Association Worldwide Foundation opens an educational and training facility at the Legends Golf USA Driving Range in St. Augustine, Fla. Association officials say the goal of the new facility is to teach positive life skills as well as train individuals to forecaddie and carry at courses throughout the country.
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Accessories
Upswing Inc. announces the release of the Bogey Ball. Identical to an actual golf ball, the Bogey Ball is an eight-piece 3-D jigsaw puzzle brainteaser.
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People, Places & Things
Playing Paraparaumu

Adding one more country to his vast travelogue, Tiger Woods leaves the winds of Kapalua, Maui, Hawaii for the winds of Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club in New Zealand to compete in the 2002 Telstra Hyundai New Zealand Open.

Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club is located on the stretch of land of the same name and could provide similar conditions to those in Hawaii at the Mercedes Championships last week. The course is exposed to the prevailing westerly winds that are generally warmer than nearby Wellington, but set in sand dunes on the North Island's Kapiti Coast where any kind of weather condition is possible.

Paraparaumu Beach is ranked as the best course in New Zealand and was 79th in the world in the 1999 Golf Magazine's world ranking.

Paraparaumu Beach has just celebrated its 50th jubilee and with Tiger Woods coming to town, the course has added some special touches. Specifically, stands to accommodate 15,000 spectators are being erected around the 6,053-meter, par-71 layout, including seating for 8,000 fans around the 18th hole.

Paraparaumu Beach was established on an earlier nine-hole course with the first nine holes built in 1929 and the second nine added in 1937. The current course is very similar to the 1949 design by former Australian Open champion Alex Russell.

The characteristics of Paraparaumu Beach are similar to a links course with well-drained undulating fairways, difficult rough, intimidating bunkers, quick greens and windy costal conditions. There is little water on the course, with only five holes exposed to water that could create trouble for the pros.

The last time Paraparaumu Beach hosted the New Zealand Open, Michael Campbell made an eagle putt on the par-5 18th hole to defeat fellow Kiwi Craig Perks and to begin a career comeback from oblivion.

With two short par-4s, the sixth hole measuring 286 meters and the 10th holes at only 284 meters, Paraparaumu Beach could be a paradise for the longer hitters. Especially someone as long as Woods.

Previous Winners of the New Zealand Open

Year	Winner	Site
2001	David Smail	The Grange
2000	Michael Campbell	Paraparaumu Beach
1998	Matthew Lane	Formosa
1997	Greg Turner	Auckland Golf Club
1996	Michael Long	Paraparaumu Beach
1995	Lucas Parsons	Wellington
1995	Peter O'Malley	The Grange
1994	Craig Jones	Remuera
1993	Peter Fowler	Paraparaumu Beach
1992	Grant Waite	Paraparaumu Beach
1991	Rodger Davis	Paraparaumu Beach
1989	Greg Turner	Paraparaumu Beach
1988	Ian Stanley	Paraparaumu Beach
1987	Ronan Rafferty	Wellington
1986	Rodger Davis	The Grange
1985	Corey Pavin	Russley
1984	Corey Pavin	Paraparaumu Beach
1983	Ian Baker-Finch	Auckland
1982	Terry Gale	Christchurch
1981	Bob Shearer	Wellington
1980	Bud Allin	New Plymouth
1979	Stewart Ginn	St Clair
1978	Bob Shearer	Wanganui
1977	Bob Byman	Auckland
1976	Simon Owen	Wellington
1975	E.W Dunk	Hamilton
1976	Simon Owen	Wellington
1975	E.W Dunk	Hamilton
1974	Bob Gilder	Christchurch
1973	Bob Charles	Manawatu
1972	E.W Dunk	Paraparaumu Beach
1971	Peter Thomson	Otago
1970	Bob Charles	The Grange