"Golf For The Fun Of It" Bringing New Players to the Game

Meadowbrook Golf’s “Golf For The Fun Of It” program has continued to bring new players to the game of golf. The program now in its second year is a player development program designed for fun, taught by PGA Golf Professionals and sponsored by Callaway Golf. It has been designed with the specific goal of developing a way for adults, who had an interest but no clear path, to join a program that was built with no barriers. It’s for the person who may have watched golf for a long time and had interest but did not know the way into the game.

The program includes 7 hours of free PGA instruction, a graduation with gifts, a gold membership card providing after program discounts and a $20.00 gift certificate. With the barriers to entry taken down, this program provides every opportunity to learn this the great game of golf while making new friends and learning all the basics of golf; including the swing, rules, respecting the course, equipment and course management.

There are currently 340 players enrolled in the program offered at 3 of Meadowbrook’s Florida properties. Many more players are on the waiting list for the next opportunity. Other Meadowbrook properties will begin offering the program later this year.

Meadowbrook Golf is a Florida-based, full-service golf management and development company, which owns, leases, manages and maintains golf courses nationwide. Along with its wholly owned subsidiaries, International Golf Maintenance (IGM) and Golf Ventures, Inc., (GVI) Meadowbrook Golf provides management, maintenance services and supplies to top golf courses throughout the United States. Meadowbrook Golf employs more than 3,000 individuals and is headquartered in ChampionsGate, FL. For more information, visit www.mggi.com.

Proper Ball Mark Repair

Repairing a ball mark promptly can make all the difference in how long it takes to recover. Doing it properly is just as important. Take the time to repair your own mark and one other. Do your part to keep your course in the best condition possible.




Use a pronged ball mark repair tool, knife, key or tee






Insert it at the edges of the mark --not the middle of the depression.





Bring the edges together with a gentle twisting motion, but don't lift the center. Try not to tear the grass.





Smooth the surface with a club or your foot. You're done when it's a surface you would want to putt over.

Attention IGM Staff Members

Do you have a special event or a staff member accomplishment that should be recognized? An innovative idea or insight that should be shared with our other Superintendents? Want to share your Audubon and environmental stewardship success stories? Maybe just a suggestion about information that would be helpful to your own operation. Then let's put in on this blog.

Please be on the lookout for information and think about things that you might like to share. Any suggestions/information can be sent to tminamyer@igminc.net. Thanks in advance for your participation!

How do I know if IGM's golf maintenance services will work for me?

Ask IGM to make an evaluation of your golf course maintenance needs – it’s the only way to know if it will work for you. We understand the market and we know our service can’t meet the needs of every golf operation; however, there is a good likelihood that we can. Ask us for a no-obligation evaluation of your needs…and that way you’ll know if it can work for you.

Rising Golf Course Maintenance Costs

It is no secret that golf course maintenance costs have sky-rocketed over the last decade. To counteract higher maintenance costs, IGM has developed the most efficient and advantageous programs in the golf course maintenance industry. Most often, IGM customers experience reduced golf course maintenance costs when compared to their prior golf course maintenance budget – without having to sacrifice course quality.

Why are IGM customers so satisfied? Because they are assured of receiving the greatest value in golf course maintenance – we guarantee it!

For more information on IGM and the professional golf course services offered, please contact the IGM Business Development Office at 800-413-5500 or on the web at http://www.igminc.net/.

IGM Uses Low Volume Emitters to Reduce Water & Energy Use

It is transition time for overseeded courses across the country and the summer heat is just around the corner. One of the tools IGM Superintendents have found successful in these situations are low volume emitters. The emitters are simple to put together and provide the opportunity to irrigate slowly which allows for deep penetration into the soil and nearly eliminate run-off. Overall water usage is reduced by the emitter’s ability to precisely apply water to only the exact areas in need rather than running overhead irrigation blanketing an entire area. Less water means less electicity used to run your pump station. Good for the environment, good for your budget and good for the course making low volume emitters an all around good practice.

IGM Begins First Phase of Bunker Renovation

The first phase of bunker renovations has begun at Bear Valley Springs. Well underway with IGM’s special project crew, the renovation includes removal of existing sand, restoration of the bunkers to their original size and shape, installation of drainage and new top quality sand. “The project is being split over three years to fit into the customer's budget and we are very happy with the results thus far,” explained Robert Diebold, IGM Regional Manager who is overseeing the project along with Brad Batchelor, IGM Golf Course Superintendent.

“WOW!! What a difference! I almost forgot what a real bunker is supposed to be like. The crew you sent is incredible and the timeline of the renovation going well. We really appreciate all the hard work!” commented Duane Gore, Director of Golf. Bear Valley Springs is a gated community nestled in the foothills and mountains just west of Tehachapi, California. Amenities include horseback riding, golf, tennis, swimming, fishing, a shooting range, camp grounds, workout facility and more.

For more information on IGM and the professional golf course services offered, please contact the IGM Business Development Office at 800-413-5500 or on the web at http://www.igminc.net/.

May Milestones

We would like to recognize the following team members who have demonstrated their continued commitment to excellence and have reached important milestones with IGM.

5 Years of Service
Martin Contreras – Crew Foreman – IGM at SilverStone

4 Years of Service
Francis Gilbert – Assistant Superintendent – IGM at Country Creek

3 Years of Service
Dean Lindquist – Technician – IGM at Heritage Greens
Otis Griffin – Assistant Superintendent – IGM at Highland Lakes
Nicholas Macarthur – Assistant Superintendent – IGM at SilverStone

2 Years of Service
Darryl Watkins – Irrigation Tech – IGM at Highland Lakes
John Weathers – Assistant Superintendent – IGM at Mystic Dunes

1 Year of Service
Jose Vega-Flores – Crew Foreman – IGM at SilverStone

Thanks to each of you for your efforts in making IGM the leader in the golf maintenance industry. Your efforts are greatly appreciated.