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Records should be celebrated.
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DIFFERENT INTERPRETATIONS

Written by Patricia Hannigan - Golf Girl's Dairy

A couple of weeks ago I happily accepted a challenge from my long-time friends at Golf Refugees to design a limited edition women's golf shirt for the 2015 Masters.  To provide some added inspiration and drive the design process I came up with a slightly salacious... but rather fitting... name: An Orgy of Pink Azaleas.

Though I'd never before tried my hand at apparel design, I assumed my fondness for fashion and the numerous years I'd spent immersed in the golf lifestyle would enable me to come up with something pretty wonderful.

That, however, did not turn out to be the case. You see, I was able to visualize my azalea orgy... I knew I wanted it simple and whimsical, slightly 60's-geometric... but I found myself totally unable to render it onto a wearable garment.  I did the best I could, but was less than satisfied with the end result. It was altogether too cartoonish; like something Dora the Explorer might wear... were she lucky enough to procure tickets to the Masters.

Meanwhile my challengers presented their design: a sublime creation, featuring a cascade of artfully variegated fuchsia blossoms, on an organic pink, collarless top. It's based on a vintage wallpaper design. I fell in love with it, and it's exactly what I will wear to Augusta, should I somehow manage to wrangle the elusive badge.

In the meantime, though I enjoyed the challenge, I think I've got to concede to Golf Refugees, as theirs is clearly the better design.  I'm happy to take credit for the name though.
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CHEMICAL TAX

Swedish Chemicals Agency Proposes Taxation on Hazardous Substances and Textile Chemicals

"What would a chemical tax on consumer goods look like? - With an example of clothes and shoes" the Swedish Chemicals Agency describes how a tax might be imposed on this group of products in order to diminish the use of hazardous chemicals and push for substitution and innovation in the chemical field.

The Agency drafted proposed principles that might be appropriate to be used to determine excise duties that could be the basis for a chemical tax on consumer products containing hazardous substances. The Agency tentatively suggests the following list of substances: phthalates, allergenic or carcinogenic dyestuffs and antibacterial agents. Those selected substances should each have appropriate methods for measurement.

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PLAY

Pink 'play' hot pants to go with our pink 'golf' hot pants.

‪#‎pinkplayhotpants‬ ‪#‎golfrefugees‬
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WE WANT YOUR BOTTOM

If you look at apparel contracts for tour pros they usually do not cover underwear, hence ladies on tour are free to wear ‘no logo’ knickers.

We want your bottom.

Please contact Golf Refugees if you'd like to wear pink ‘golf’ label hot pants on tour this season.

‪#‎pinkgolfhotpant‬ ‪#‎golfrefugees‬
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MASTERS DESIGN CHALLENGE ENTRY

Wear organic next to your skin.

‘Orgy of Azaleas’ organic pink top by Golf Refugees, based upon a vintage wallpaper pattern.

Please vote for your favourite design.
‪#‎orgyofazaleas‬ ‪#‎golfrefugees‬

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ICE GREEN

Coldest night in the UK, minus twelve recorded in Scotland.

Ice green black ball pic by Golf Hors-Pistes
#originalblackball #golfrefugees
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THE MASTERS PINK TOP DESIGN CHALLENGE

The much loved, awesome Patricia Hannigan from Golf Girl Media has accepted a design challenge from the irreverent Golf Refugees(the people who brought golf the original black ball, disposable golf bag and endless whinging about toxic chemicals in sportswear) to create a female golf top for The Masters 2015 based upon ‘an orgy of pink azaleas’.

Both parties will show their proposed designs before the start of The Masters and a social media vote will help decide the winner.

Bookies favourite Patricia is feeling very confident.
‪#‎themasterspinktopdesignchallenge‬
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SUN KISSED GREEN

With just 3 months before The Masters, Augusta National are preparing their paint brushes to make sure everything looks lovely and green.

Inspired by their endeavour, Golf Refugees have taken a brush to our base organic polo shirt and given it a lick of paint, calling it sun-kissed-green.

Available in the non-sweatshop section.
#sunkissedgreenpolo #golfrefugees 
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JOIN OUR CAMPAIGNS

The above table shows which fashion brands are using hormone disrupting chemicals; in this example; ethoxylates (NPE’s).

From Nike t-shirts, Adidas polo shirts to Puma football shirts and many more. You can also see the range of levels in unwashed and washed garments; providing you with clear evidence that these chemicals are contained in the finished product that you and I are wearing.

Funny how brands never mention any of this in their product descriptions to consumers.

Many professional athletes give their time to support cancer charities, to help raise awareness and funding, which is great. But are they missing something important, something right under their noses? The sport shirts they are wearing contain cancer causing chemicals. From substances classified as carcinogenic to endocrine disruptor chemicals (EDC) which are effective at very low doses and alter the function of human cells which can lead to cancer. EDC;s  are particularly hazardous to infants.

It took nearly 40 years to remove highly toxic lead from the gasoline we put in our vehicles despite the clear scientific evidence. Let’s hope it doesn't take another 40 years to remove lead and other cancer causing chemicals from our clothing.

This year we hope to persuade at least one professional athlete to join our campaigns to remove carcinogens and EDC’s from sports apparel.

If you have any concerns please ask your favourite fashion brands about the chemicals they use.
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JUST SUGARS AND CARBOHYDRATES

A golf club in Cambridgeshire claims to be the only one in Europe not to use chemicals on its course.

The owners of New Malton Golf Club also employ their own ecologist and spray sugars and carbohydrates instead of fertilisers and pesticides.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-15023042
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TWINS

Separated at birth only by talent.
#billmurray #golfrefugees 
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DRIVING TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY

The following article was written by guest blogger; Fraser Paterson

©Fraser Paterson, golf and Scottish History writer – often the two intertwine!

The United States is making great strides, enhancing sustainability levels, particularly on two of its’ main golf courses. Highlands Country Club in North Carolina and Broken Sound Club in Florida are among the first to achieve golf’s international sustainability level, GEO Certified. This is a mark recognised by ISEAL, the worldwide association for credibility and effectiveness in this area.

Since achieving GEO Certified status in 2011 Highlands Country Club has undertaken several key projects. These include;

Renovation of the health spa with green building and water, plus water and energy conservation feature

Reduced water consumption and operational costs – by upgrading to a high efficiency variable frequency drive system and moisture meters from Toro, enabling more accurate irrigation

More cultivating of goods and materials on site, or local purchase thereof. This includes a new organic garden. This supplies the restaurant as well as utilising waste from the kitchen

Significant changes in mowing patterns. This increases natural spaces and enhances operational efficiency – including replacing some areas of maintained turf with more beehives, and wildflowers for pollinator species

Greater participation locally to increase awareness of environmental issues and efficiencies

Christian Drake, Assistant Superintendent at Highlands Country Club stated "that becoming GEO Certified has been a huge benefit in multiple aspects”.

Broken Sound Club in Florida have also increased their efforts, by taking on a leadership role in sharing the success of their sustainable operations with other municipalities and golf courses in Florida.

John Crean, General Manager said, “Attaining the prestigious … GEO Certified mark many years ago … (was a testament to their ability to) provide a (facility) that is in harmony with the natural environment and increase the habitat of indigenous species of plant and animal life".

Broken Sound Club is also the largest green space in Boca Raton City. They continue to take on an increasing number of projects to enhance the environment. New projects have included;

The planting of thousands of young trees, thereby varying the structure of the existing woodland

The introduction of more native marginal aquatic plants to enhance filtration   and improve wildlife habitats

An increase in nest boxes, built by the children of members. This has attracted 13 additional species, including painted buntings and barn owls

Collaboration with Florida State on a ten acre wildflower site with beehives.

GEO Certified is a recognised trademark of the Golf Environment Organisation which is recognised by the ISEAL Alliance, the global body for credibility in sustainability standards.

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IS MY GOLF COURSE ORGANIC?

The pesticide chlorpyrifos, used on farms and golf courses, is riskier than previously suspected, says the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Farmworkers and ground staff are most at risk.

Chlorpyrifos was introduced in 1965. Some pesticides kill insects but are harmless to humans; chlorpyrifos is not among those. At high doses it can kill people, and it has. It can take up to 120 days to break down in soil. It can hurt birds and fish.

Does your golf course still use chlorpyrifos?

Golf Refugees are calling for the industry to introduce ‘organic’ certification for golf courses; where using synthetic fertilizers and pesticides classified as harmful to humans would be restricted or even banned.
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SQUIRREL MONKEY

If you were going to start a new sportswear brand which animal would you use to be your logo?

Golf Refugees have come up with the ‘squirrel monkey’ as they are free spirited and belong in the wild. This sounds like a good marketing line to us.

We’re going to conduct some intense market research this year and ask fans if they’d like to swap Pumas for Squirrel Monkeys?

To compete with established sport brands; here is Squirrel Monkey's business plan.

Obviously we will manufacture in the country with the lowest wages and where garment workers can be kept under control by force when necessary. Use many toxic chemicals including hormone disruptors and have a complete disregard for the environment.

Squirrel Monkey will sponsor leading sport stars to help build a positive brand image and write some PR blah blah in the form of a letter which can be placed in our supply chain factories setting out our ‘values and production standards’ which naturally they can all ignore.

We can’t be fairer than that.
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DON'T SHOOT

H&M, Gap and Puma are some of Cambodia’s biggest garment buyers.

One year ago Cambodian textile workers went on strike asking for a basic salary of $160 per month?

To protect investor interest, the Cambodian government sent in the troops armed with AK 47’s and shot five of the workers.

“Everyone is too afraid to strike now so no one ever considers it, even though it’s only strikes that can find a solution for us” said Chhiv Phanith, a garment worker

The strike was called off soon after the shootings, which occurred on a Friday, with workers beginning to return to factories the next Monday, having secured an increase in their basic salaries to just $100.

In terms of fairness should Puma hold a gun to the heads of their sponsored sport starts to help with negotiations?

Why don’t H&M, Gap, Puma and others just agree to pay their Cambodian garment workers a living wage of $160 per month?
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GOLF WISHES 2015

Instead of making New Year resolutions here are some of our golf wishes for 2015 and beyond;

A percentage of new golf balls and other equipment to be made from recycled materials. Materials that have actually been recycled and not just materials that is recyclable. A new golf ball could be made from 75% virgin and 25% recycled materials.

Unrestricted equipment category for amateur and recreational golfers.

Major golf championships to be awarded to future venues that can provide evidence of annual reductions in both water and synthetic fertilizer usage.

Changes to a tournament week; where professional golfers have less practice time on the course and more time allocated too provide lessons and advice to young golfers.

New alternative formats for golf to be introduced on major tours. We would like to see a street golf event in any major city on the PGA or LPGA tours.

Fashion brands to provide consumers with information regarding chemicals, pollution and wages from producing their clothing.
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