GolfWeek SuperNEWS

Institute receives boost from Sergio, Singh, Dye

By Michael Lednovich

ANAHEIM, CALIF.

For more than four years, the public face and private support for the Environmental Institute for Golf has been steadied on the broad shoulders of World Golf Hall of Famer Greg Norman.

In 2003, Norman donated $500,000 to the institute and agreed to become chairman of the organization’s advisory council. His ‘star power’ gave the institute immediate credibility in fundraising and in recruiting participants.

Now, Norman has help, with the announcement at the Golf Industry Show that PGA Tour pros Vijay Singh and Sergio Garcia, along with legendary golf course designer Pete Dye, will join him as advisory council members.

In addition to their participation, the three have pledged their design fees from a golf course development project in Dubai. The donation totals $590,000 and will fund several institute projects.

The Environmental Institute for Golf is the philanthropic organization of the GCSAA and funds $1 million in environmental programs, including scientific research, education, information collection, outreach and scholarships.

“Greg Norman gave the institute an incredible shot in the arm with his donation and participation. Now for the first time, the institute has been able to attract three extraordinary men of high caliber en masse,” said Steve Mona, chief executive officer of the GCSAA. “This is by far the biggest contribution we’ve received. Previously, Greg Norman has been our highest-profile member. With the addition of this group, it takes us to another level.” Bill Kubly, the chairman of the institute’s board of trustees, was ecstatic over the announcement.

“Having Vijay, Sergio and Pete means we can do even more amazing things,” Kubly said. “We really have something to say and sell now. People are embracing our organization and stepping up to the plate. They’re realizing that they can make a difference.” Gaining traction in the public arena has been difficult for the environmental golf movement, which relied on Norman serving as the lone voice for the effort. The addition of Singh, Garcia and Dye means the organization’s star power has been given a high-octane boost.

“These are guys who constantly have cameras and microphones in front of them,” said Brian Stevens, a spokesman for Norman’s Jupiter, Fla.-based Great White Shark Enterprises. “That means they can push this movement forward even more so.” Kubly added that attracting such luminaries as Singh, Garcia and Dye was critical to moving forward.

“It narrows the universe,” he said. “Stars will attract other stars. It all started with Greg. This will open the floodgates for others to become involved.” The institute also announced that Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem has agreed to serve a second three-year term on the advisory council.

Bin Sulayem is the chairman of Dubai World, which is developing Jumeirah Golf Estates, featuring four environmentally friendly golf courses named Earth, Fire, Water and Wind.

Norman is the designer on Fire and Earth, while Water is being designed by Singh and Wind is a collaborative effort between Dye, Garcia, Singh and Norman. The donation is coming from the design fees associated with this project.

Mona said the institute’s research funding is focusing on applied research.

“We’re looking at solutions to problems that are occurring on golf courses today,” Mona said.

It was a week of momentum-building for the institute, which received a number of grants from other companies.

Officials from Swing Juice, an energy drink developed by an avid golfer, said it will donate to the institute 15 cents for every bottle it sells for the next three years.

“We are absolutely thrilled about our partnership with the institute,” said Jon Mason, CEO of Sports Energy Distribution LLC (the parent company of Swing Juice) and founder of Swing Juice Energy Drink. “With the continued support for and excitement about our product, we look forward to making a lasting impact on the golf industry and the environment.”