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Technology
Pause Golf Solutions is now selling the FlexScape service, an ASP model solution offering clubs, organizations or companies the ability to maintain their own content for Internet and Intranet sites.
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Talking Rock Ranch, a Crown Property located in Prescott, Ariz., purchases Crescent Systems' "Wizard Package," introductory software that allows clients to add modules as their business grows and as their needs change.
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Advertising
In October, Colony West in Plantation, Fla., became the fourth golf course to install the Logicool Point of Purchase Advertising kiosk in its pro shop.
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Equipment
KZG president Jennifer King announces the launch of a new company, Carlton Golf, which will offer high performance golf equipment for sale at retail chains, off-course stores and green grass shops.
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TOP-FLITE introduces a new premium set of golf clubs, TOP-FLITE TOUR irons, to its club line. The TOP-FLITE TOUR irons, made of 100 percent TITAN STEEL and featuring the thinnest clubface and largest sweetspot ever in a TOP-FLITE iron, will replace the TOP-FLITE XL 2000 line, and complement the recently launched TOP-FLITE TOUR golf ball.
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Events
Peter "Trick Shot Master" Johncke adds new countries in Europe and Asia to his 2003 schedule.
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Accessories
Creative Sports Group introduces a new brass divot repair tool with removable ball marker.
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Courses
Kilmarlic Golf Club will open Nov. 16 and increase the number of outstanding courses in the Outer Banks Golf Association to six. Kilmarlic, a Tom Steele design, is a championship 18-hole course offering four sets of tees and 15 acres of coastal ponds and lakes.
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Briefly
Plastic cleat maker Greenspike, which sells its product directly on its Web site www.greenspike.com, is successfully using a policy of shipping its product with an invoice and stamped, addressed envelope to return payment. ...

Grande Dunes Golf Course is named "Best Golf Course" in the 2002 annual Best of the Beach poll of readers of The Sun News, the Knight-Ridder newspaper serving the Grand Strand of coastal South Carolina. The paper also voted Barefoot Resort & Golf the "Best Golf Community" in its poll. ...

Tee-Ball Golf launches its "Tried and True" seal of approval, an endorsement that the golf destination, product, service, or golf related item is all that it claims to be. ...

SubAir, Inc., the inventor and patent holder of subsurface aeration to improve turf conditions on golf courses and sports fields, has been purchased by a group of South Carolina investors and relocated to Aiken, S.C. ...

New South Media announces that visitors who sign up for their free weekly No B.S. Golf Newsletter will also have access to a free classic book on the sport - Joe Novak's 1950's success, "Par Golf in 8 Steps." ...

Callaway Golf Company reports that a company-initiated review by SEC staff of its proposed accounting treatment of a warranty reserve reversal in the third quarter of 2002 has not yet been completed, and that the Company had therefore requested an extension of time to file its Form 10-Q with respect to that quarter.

Casual Friday
Not So Fast

There is a perception among some golf fans that the 2002 season ended with the playing of the Tour Championship two weeks ago in Atlanta. And that now is the time to bring out the ridiculous Silly Season events of which some have already been played, though you will not see televised until December.

But hold on just a second. If you really thought the truly competitive season ended with the Tour Championship, then you have and will miss out on one of the best stories in all of 2002 ‚ Annika Sorenstam.

Last Sunday in Japan, Sorenstam put the finishing touches on her 10th LPGA Tour win of the season, a feat that has not been matched since LPGA Tour Hall of Famers Kathy Whitworth and Carol Mann each turned the trick in 1968.

"I'm a little in shock I think," said the 32-year-old Sorenstam. "I set high goals for myself, but sometimes you wonder if you can achieve them."

What may be even more frightening is Sorenstam can take her season win total even higher. Yep, the LPGA Tour does not close up shop until next week's ADT Championship at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Fla.

If Sorenstam can add No. 11 at the ADT Championship, then she would become the first player since Mickey Wright in 1964 to reach such a height. It would also mark her 13th win worldwide this year, which is a remarkable feat that not even Tiger Woods has been able to achieve.

That is the good news. Now here is a fact that seems a bit outrageous, but is the absolute truth. With a paycheck of slightly less than $45,000 next week, Sorenstam will become the LPGA Tour's first $11 million winner.

The $11 million figure would rank 23rd on the PGA Tour's career money list ‚ one-half of what No. 2 Phil Mickelson has earned and one-third of what No. 1 Woods has earned. Sorenstam's career money figure would wedge in between No. 22 John Cook and No. 23 Tom Kite. Casual Friday is fond of both Cook and Kite, but Sorenstam clearly has performed at a higher level throughout her career.

So what is Casual Friday's point, you say? Well, two things.

First, instead of blowing off the rest of '02 as having nothing left to give in terms of quality golf, settle in and watch the ADT Championship. You could be watching history in the making.

Second, Martha Burk, president of the National Council of Womenís Organizations, may want to rethink her priorities. Instead of spearheading a move to open Augusta National Golf Club to female members, maybe a better tactic would be to go help drum up more sponsorship money for LPGA Tour events.

That way a player the caliber of Sorenstam will finally get paid what she is due.

DOUBLE CLICK
www.wgv.com

Today marks the induction of six new members into the World Golf Hall of Fame. So what better destination than the Hall's official Web site, which features in-depth profiles of each of the inductees and will cybercast the ceremony live.

 

Reader's Forum This past week in Europe the season-ending Volvo Masters culminated in two men winning the trophy. After two playoff holes, it was getting dark, so European Tour Executive Director Ken Schofield offered Colin Montgomerie and Bernhard Langer the opportunity to share the victory. The European Ryder Cup partners accepted the offer, with Monty taking his 27th European Tour win and Langer his 42nd. Should splitting a title be permitted? Would you like to see this happen on U.S. Tours if a playoff is going on too long or conditions are not conducive to play? Let us know your opinions by sending your responses to info@gpagolf.com with the subject line RE: Share. Also include your first initial and last name, along with your city and state or country.