Golf Refugees - A square peg in a round hole

OLYMPIC SPIRIT

2012-02-02T08:17:00.000-08:00

What is the London 2012 Olympics all about?

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair said “a once in an era opportunity for British tourism” and current minister for the Olympics, Tessa Jowell “British tourism will receive a £2bn boost”.

The European Tour Operators Association produced a study which concluded “there appears to be little evidence of any benefit to tourism of hosting an Olympic Games”.

Managing director of Australia's Tourism and Transport Forum, said "There are fewer tourists [in Sydney] five years after the Games than before... Where the bloody hell are you?"

Tourists are put off by higher than normal hotel prices and overcrowding. While the sort of people who travel to watch sport tend not to be interested in the theatre or other cultural attractions.

Theatre mogul Andrew Lloyd Webber confirmed; London’s West End bookings from tourists for this July and August were at just 10 per cent of their normal level, and that theatreland was "in for a bloodbath of a summer".

You could say that the Olympics are about much more than making money from tourists.

The UK Government set targets for increased sports participation "one million more people playing sport three or more times a week" which it claimed would form part of the "Olympic 2012 legacy".

Unfortunately no other host city has increased sports participation as a result of staging the Olympic Games.

London’s 2012 guru, Lord [Sebastian] Coe, claimed: "The new sports venues for the Games will help to tackle serious lifestyle-related conditions such as childhood obesity, heart disease and diabetes."

If a fraction of the £10bn UK taxpayers are spending on the Olympics had instead been allocated to preserving school sports playing fields from being sold off to property developers, would that have had more of an impact increasing sport participation and tackling childhood obesity?

And how will be the fight against childhood obesity, heart disease and diabetes be helped by two of the London Olympics biggest sponsors being McDonald’s and Coca-Cola?

There will be some winners.

Great profits for those with London homes to rent out during the two weeks of the event. And a temporary army of 23,700 security staff to ‘protect’ the Games.

Politicians, corporate guests and sport bureacrats will have the pick of the seats in the stadiums for free.

Now that’s the real spirit of the Olympic Games.

Source material by Dominic Lawson – The Independent
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TEENAGE ANGST

2012-01-29T07:06:00.000-08:00

Should there be an age restriction for young golfers? Currently it's eighteen for women wishing to compete on tour.

But what about the old adage ‘if you’re good enough you’re old enough'?

Now that the authorities have given an exemption to the exceptional Lexi Thompson will the tour gates have to be opened a little wider?

Down under, a 14 year old Korean born New Zealander; Lydia Ko, has just made history by becoming the youngest ever winner of a professional golf tournament.

Unfortunately her amateur status sees her winners cheque passed to the second placed (professional) golfer.

I’ve no idea what 14 years olds are into but she must feel a little bit miffed missing out on a shopping spree for some new clothes, make-up and boy-band tickets.

Still making golf history should be some compensation until a pre-teen golf star enters the record books.
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GOLF HERO

2012-01-25T07:56:00.000-08:00

Who are your golfing heroes?

Could it be top players such as Tiger Woods, Yani Tseng or golf equipment designers Scotty Cameron, Bob Vokey?

Golf Refugees would like to suggest Prem Sreyroth.

She is 24 years old and makes your favourite golf apparel, for an average wage of £80 per month.

Sounds like a golf industry hero to me.
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TIGER'S BACK

2012-01-24T10:09:00.000-08:00

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SWEATSHOP OLYMPICS

2012-01-23T08:53:00.000-08:00

Here is the official London 2012 Olympics mascot called Wenlock.

Organisers commissioned 40 focus groups before deciding upon the final design.

Many people think the design is rubbish, some people believe it looks like a penis and others really like it.

Unfortunately for the organisers, information has leaked out that all of the mascots were made in China using sweatshop labour, with hourly rates of just 26p per hour being paid to the workers.

Would it be a good idea for all goods to have the amount paid to the workers displayed on the product?

If this causes embarrassment for the organisers or brands who are official suppliers, perhaps they will consider paying a living wage.
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TIME TO CELEBRATE

2012-01-20T06:13:00.000-08:00

Ladies European Q-school is over for another year and what an exciting conclusion with six players’s fighting to secure the final two places in a nail-biting finale.

Indian sensation Shamila Nicollet secured the final place with a heart-stopping birdie putt on the third play-off hole.

A little closer to home - and not forgetting this blog is sponsored by Visit Wales - there will be ‘singing in the valleys' as Welsh starlet Sahra Hassan secured 9th place overall. Da iawn Sahra.

Special mention to English golfer Anna Scott, who after taking a year off to remove a rib in an attempt to alleviate her suffering for many years with thoracic outlet syndrome(TOS), reached the final qualifying day of the best 52 golfers.

It’s going to be a humdinger of a year on LET 2012.
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IRREGULAR STRIPES

2012-01-19T09:27:00.000-08:00

Golf Refugees can do stripes and in a variety of vibrant colours.

However they are slightly unusual; we call them ‘irregular stripes’.

Each one is different, unique, just like you.

Bright orange irregular stripes on a base grey ethically made polo shirt using organic cotton grown in India. Certified by the Soil Association.

Just let us know which colour and how many irregular stripes you’d like on your next clean conscience golf polo shirt.
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EVER WONDERED?

2012-01-18T03:18:00.000-08:00

Ever wondered what you are actually wearing?

Just check the label on your golf shirt. It will probably say ‘polyester’.

Each polyester polo shirt takes approximately 50ml of crude oil to produce.

Now you know.

You are wearing an ‘oil slick’ polo shirt.

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GRAFFITI MOSS

2012-01-17T07:50:00.000-08:00

The model for golf course aesthetics has been Augusta National.

Augusta's seemingly impossible range of layer upon layer of greenness is achieved by high water and pesticides usage (and even the odd can of green paint to keep up appearances).

Golf Refugees think we’ve found a more environmentally friendly solution to Augusta’s green colour addiction.

The unlikely sounding ‘moss graffiti’.

All the green-keepers at Augusta need are a few cans of beer, some sugar and several clumps of moss.

Simply add the beer and sugar to the moss and blend the mixture to a creamy paste.

Then you can start painting or spraying your graffiti moss. Eventually the moss will re-constitute itself and grow.

How cool, green and sustainable is that?
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SHARMILA NICOLLET

2012-01-16T04:21:00.000-08:00

With western nations still in the grips of economic recession, thanks to the greed of the one per cent, should we all be looking east and towards the huge potential of developing countries for the world’s next golf stars?

Here’s one to keep your eye on; Sharmila Nicollet.

You can imagine she has a huge fan base back home in Indian, though her current plans are to compete on the Ladies European Tour in 2012.

That should help increase event participation and media interest in women’s golf.

Could Sharmila be the first golf Bollywood movie star?
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CASUAL GOLF

2012-01-12T08:06:00.000-08:00

If you're learning the game or out to have some fun, is it OK to ignore the rule book if it increases enjoyment and participation levels for the game of golf?

PGA magazine and Golf Refugees agree the following for casual golf:

It’s OK to not to keep score.

It’s OK to play from the shortest tees or start at the 150-yard marker.

It’s OK to give yourself a better lie by rolling the ball around a little.

It’s ok to tee the ball up anywhere when you are first learning.

It’s OK to only count shots when you make contact with the ball.

It’s OK to throw the ball out of a bunker after one try.

It’s OK to forget a ball that may be lost or out of bounds.

It’s ok to drop a ball where you think it might be .... or where you want it to be.

It’s OK to just chip and putt a hole when you feel like it.

It’s OK to pick up in the middle of the hole and enjoy the outdoors and scenery.

It’s OK to skip a hole if you need to take a break.

It’s OK to play less than 9 or 18 holes and call it a round.

It’s OK to move your ball away from trees, rocks or very hilly lies.

It’s OK to hit the same club for the entire round, while using a putter on the green.

It’s OK to play golf in your trainers. Be comfortable!

It’s OK to wear denim and flip-flops.

It’s OK to get enthusiastic (high fives, fist pumps and big smiles are encouraged).

It’s OK to talk and use your mobile phone on the golf course, enjoy a nice conversation or tell a few jokes.

It’s OK to bring your kids to the course, whether they are 5 or 45.

It’s OK to play golf just for fun.

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JANUARY T-SHIRT OFFER

2012-01-09T07:27:00.000-08:00

All organic, carbon neutral tee shirts only £9.99 (12 euros or 15 US dollars) excl. P&P

E-mail you order with ‘JANTEEOFFER’ to; refugees@btinternet.com 

Subject to stock availability. Offer ends 31/01/12.

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ST TRINIAN'S WITH STICKS

2012-01-05T09:53:00.000-08:00

This weekend at the La Manga Club in Spain see the girls kick off their heels and replace them with spikes to compete at Ladies European Tour Qualifying School.

With the likes of Rachel Connor, Lucy Williams, Hannah Barwood and Kelly Tidy in a strong field of European golfers all trying to earn their 2012 cards and emulate the success of established stars such as Melissa Reid and Florentyna Parker.

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WHICH SOUNDS BETTER?

2012-01-03T05:35:00.000-08:00

Which sounds better?

Rickie Fowler wears breathable moisture wicking anti-bacterial quick drying performance polo shirt.

Or, Rickie Fowler wears ethylene glycol dimethyl terephthalate antimony trioxide polyester polo shirt.

Unlike food, personal care and cosmetic products, textiles or clothes do not have strict labelling or disclosure requirements when it comes to chemical ingredients. The only disclosures required for fabrics are information regarding (1) fibre content (2) country of origin and (3) manufacturer or brand.

Despite this, here at Golf Refugees we choose to use only Soil Association certified organic cotton for the manufacturing of our polo shirts.

Golf Refugees polo shirts, for golfers who don't want to wear a cocktail of toxic chemicals next to their skin.

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CELEBRITY GOLF BALLS

2012-01-02T04:46:00.000-08:00

I wonder why more celebs with a keen interest in golf don’t launch their own balls?

I found this funny vid for the ‘Dino’ Dean Martin golf ball.

Who next? How about the ‘JT’ Justin Timberlake ball, especially now that he works as a design consultant for Callaway.

Then there’s Bill Murray and Cameron Diaz. Who wouldn’t want to play with Cameron Diaz?

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ANTIMONY

2011-12-29T05:57:00.000-08:00

To make the production of ‘plastic’ polyester fabric commercially viable a catalyst is required to speed up the chemical reaction.

The substance of choice is called ‘Antimony’, which is a sliver, grey metal.

Antimony is a toxic chemical element and has been classified as a carcinogen in the state of California and the European Union since 1990.

Antimony is just not a nice thing to be wearing. It possibly won’t hurt you, as during the production process of polyester it becomes chemically bonded to the fabric, however the residue sludge produced during manufacture when incinerated creates fly ash which contains antimony.

You won’t find any of this information on the labels of your Nike, Adidas or Puma polyester polo shirts.

But at least you now know that you are playing golf in the sunshine with antimony chemically bonded to your polyester shirt next to your skin.

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MERRY CHRISTMAS

2011-12-23T06:00:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas from Golf Refugees.

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GOLF PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR

2011-12-21T08:15:00.000-08:00

John Daly; two decades on the PGA Tour, 2 major wins and $1 million dollars in fines. Not a bad record.
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PARTICIPATION LEVELS

2011-12-20T09:24:00.000-08:00

You would think with England having the World’s number 1 & 2 golfers; Luke Donald and Lee Westwood, coupled with the considerable resources of the R&A, that golf would be doing pretty well.

Unfortunately you would be mistaken.

Below are the official figures from Sport England through their Active People Survey (APS).

I appreciate that at the moment there is an economic recession, hence I have taken the figures over a longer four year period; October 2007 – October 2011.

Under the category of playing golf once a week; participation levels have fallen by 115,100

Under the category playing golf once a month; participation figures have fallen by 146,900

With these disappointing results, perhaps the R&A need to pull their long socks up.
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CRUDE PROCESS

2011-12-19T08:49:00.000-08:00

Golf Refugees have calculated that your average polyester polo shirt, favoured by leading sportswear brands; Nike, Adidas and Puma, takes 66 ml of distilled crude oil to produce.

Now we are not mathematicians. Our calculations were based upon direct annual polyester fibre production of 35 million tons using 73 million barrels of crude oil.

You then need to add lots of other toxic chemicals to make your polyester shirt feel softer, more flexible and less flammable.

It’s a crude process.
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CHEMISTRY CLASS

2011-12-16T09:44:00.000-08:00

Around 40 million tons of polyester is produced worldwide per annum.

Polyester isn’t unique to sportswear apparel, it is also used in furniture, shower curtains and for stuffing pillows.

The health and environmental hazards that petrochemicals pose are well documented.

The base chemicals that make up polyester are created during the process of refining oil, the main one being paraxylene.

You also need to be concerned about phthalates, which are used to make your polyester apparel more flexible and feel softer.

Readily absorbed by the skin, phthalates are known to disrupt the development and functioning of reproductive organs. Resulting in low sperm counts and early breast development.

So why are you wearing ‘oil slick’ polo shirts? Are you a shareholder in BP, Shell or Exxon mobil?

There is hope though, of sorts.

A Japanese company; Toray Industries, have created samples of what they claim to be the world’s first bio-based polyester fiber. Instead of refining crude oil they have obtained paraxylene from refining biofuel; derived from plants.
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GIRLS ON TOUR

2011-12-14T05:38:00.000-08:00

This year's Ladies European Tour reaches its exciting conclusion at the weekend, with many of the world’s leading female golfers - including Michelle Wie, Lexi Thompson and Melissa Reid - competing in the Omega Dubai Masters.

For next season, Golf Refugees will be offering tour players the opportunity to wear our unique, ethically-made organic polo shirts.

All you need to do is contact Golf Refugees and we'll help you to select the correct size of shirt and send you a palette of 16 colours to choose from. Your shirts can be plain or incorporate a pattern, such as stripes. We will custom design your organic polo shirts with you. The shirts will be hand-dyed in the UK.

What’s the catch?

You have to be playing on a recognised tour and order a minimum of four ethically-made organic polo shirts per colour. Sizes of the shirts can vary along with your chosen patterns. Cost per four organic polo shirts: £50 or 60 euros excluding delivery.

Why we are doing this?

Golf Refugees are not making any profit with our ‘Girls on Tour’ project. We just want to see more tour players wearing ethically-made golf apparel.

You may be aware of recent Greenpeace reports stating that leading sportswear brands refuse to pay a living wage to their young female textile workers. And that their factories, usually based in Asia, pollute local rivers and still use banned chemicals including nonylphenal ethoxylates (NPE’s) which can cause hormonal disruptions in workers and wearers of the garments by mimicking the female hormone oestrogen.

Golf Refugees organic, carbon neutral golf shirts are certified by The Soil Association and audited by The Carbon Trust.

http://www.golf-refugees.com/orders.htm
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RETIRE THE R&A

2011-12-13T03:31:00.000-08:00

Help grow the game of golf by retiring the R&A.
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GOLF REFUGEES 2011 AWARDS

2011-12-12T04:39:00.000-08:00

Best male US Tour golfer: Luke Donald (ENG)
Best male European Tour golfer: Luke Donald (ENG)
Best female US Tour golfer: Yani Tseng (TWN)
Best female European Tour golfer: Caroline Hedwall (SWE)
Best golf team: European Solheim Cup Team, GB&I Walker Cup Team (Take your pick)
Most improved golfer: Tiger Woods
Most polluting Sportswear Brand: Nike (USA), Adidas (GER) (Take your pick)
Organisation which held back the development of golf: R&A
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BRIEF ENCOUNTER

2011-12-09T05:43:00.000-08:00

It’s tough to make a living from playing golf on tour.

Many of us get carried away by hearing just about the wealth of the very top players.

This made me wonder should male golfers consider stripping down to their underpants in order to gain more fans, more publicity and hopefully more sponsors?

Should they take a leaf from female golfers and show more male skin in photo shoots?
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GOLF REFUGEES 2012 COLLECTION

2011-12-06T16:02:00.000-08:00

Hand dyed burlesque red women’s organic polo shirt with ink jet printed badge.

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TRUE COLOUR

2011-12-05T10:00:00.000-08:00

Do professional golfers keep their 'true colour' under wraps?

We can all see them swinging in the latest collections from their apparel sponsors.
But I doubt whether these contracts stipulate any restrictions in the underwear department.

New research suggests that men in particular buy more colourful, fun and whimsical underwear compared with their outer garments. With cartoon characters being a particular favourite.

Can you imagine Rory or Tiger ripping up the golf course in Scooby-Doo and Shaggy underpants?
Then there’s always Betty Boop and one of my favourites Penelope Pitstop from the Whacky Races.
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NO MORE BOOM

2011-11-30T09:45:00.000-08:00

Now that we are in the grips of recession let me take you back to the boom.

Back in 1992, anticipating a boom in participation, the good old R&A commissioned a report into the demand for golf in the UK. The resulting document stated that Britain needed 700 new golf courses before the end of the century. Naturally many property developers, consultants, golf course architects and designers ears pricked up.

“Instead of building affordable, accessible short courses around large cities for people who hadn’t played golf before, they flooded the market with championship-style layouts created by big-name designers and featuring large clubhouses in remote parts of the country” said Jerry Kilby Director of the UK Golf Course Owners Association.

“The bad decisions made during Britain’s golf boom over the past two decades have had a profound effect on golf’s future” said Andrea Sartoni - KPMG’s Golf Advisory Practice in Europe.

“Go to Germany, Austria and The Netherlands where the lessons of cheap accessible layouts has been learned”

One striking difference is the number of women golfers, who can often make up 35% of membership compared with an average of between 5% and 10% in the UK.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but should the same old men making the same old mistakes still be running the game of golf in the UK?
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SPORTS PERSONALITY 2011

2011-11-28T16:26:00.000-08:00

Sports personality of the year is coming.

List of ten deserving nominees have been released for the general public to cast their votes.

I have always thought the ‘personality’ part to be a misnomer. More about, who’s won the biggest trophy of the year?

This year we have a cyclist, a tennis player, a boxer, two cricketers and two from athletics plus three golfers. A good reflection of which sports we’ve excelled in this year and those unmentioned where we’ve still play like a donkey.

With the London Olympics next year it’s good to see a couple of nominations from the world of athletics.

But with nearly a 1 in 3 chance a golfer should lift the title. There could be nostalgia vote for Darren Clarke after winning The Open. Or a popular vote for young ‘curly mop’ Rory. Still you could always vote for the World No.1 golfer and Mr Personality himself Luke Donald.
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CAPTAIN MONTY IN KABUL

2011-11-26T09:57:00.000-08:00

Picture shows Monty in jeans giving golf lessons to local Afghan soldiers.

With western troops slowly moving from a combat role to training local Afghan soldiers, who better to send in than Captain Monty?

Just in case they run out of bullets, with Monty’s help they can always spray some Pro V1’s at the Taliban.

Monty has also set-up some target practice, utilising the football pitch at the International Security Assistance Forces HQ. Where hitting the goal posts earn you your stripes.

"These kids, they were born into war and grew up in war and it's been a very difficult," said Monty, adding he hoped that the Afghans might even qualify a golf team for the 2016 Olympics.

There are plenty of bunkers to practice in.
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TAINTED UNTIL 2020

2011-11-22T04:08:00.000-08:00

When you next read a review of a golf shirt made by one of the big sports brands; Nike, Adidas, Puma, please put the following disclaimer underneath:

We really didn’t want our consumers to know about all the hazardous chemicals we use in our supply chains, including the banned nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPE's), which cause hormonal disruptions. But now that research from Greenpeace has ‘let the cat out the bag’, we have reluctantly agreed to announce a commitment to act together to try and ‘detox’ our hazardous chemical usage by 2020. Obviously we still want our customers to purchase our chemically tainted shirts until that time or when Greenpeace give us a clean bill of health.

Adidas spokeswoman said “We have been clear with Greenpeace from the beginning and have always said we need an industry-wide solution in order to succeed – there can be no winners unless the industry acts together.”

What is alarming to me about this statement from Adidas is that they could not see the benefit of unilateral action for it’s own customer's and textile-worker's safety.

The effects of NPE’s can be seen over the long term; these compounds don’t kill you dead on the spot, they have very subtle, long term effects and they can act in very small concentrations.

NPE’s can disrupt the body’s hormonal system by mimicking the female hormone oestrogen. And high oestrogen levels have been linked to birth defects, learning disabilities even some forms of cancer.

These chemicals are toxic, they aren’t biodegradable and they can cause all sorts of problems.

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AWOL CARLOS TEVEZ

2011-11-21T10:33:00.000-08:00

So here we have a recent picture of a joyous Carlos Tevez playinggolf back home in Argentina when he should be making up with Mancini and his team mates back in sunny Manchester.

But this picture also got me thinking about the strong links between football (soccer) and golf.

You only have to watch ‘Match of the Day’, a BBC programme which screens highlights of weekend matches, hosted by Gary Lineker, Alan Hansen and Lee Dixon (all ex-footballers and all single digit handicap golfers).

Why do so many footballers play golf?

Is it because they have time on their hands during the week, before and after training? Or is it because they earn so much money and can afford to play at the most exclusive golf & country clubs?

Are there any physical and/or mental similarities between kicking a football and striking a golf ball? I guess balance is integral to playing most sports.

I should declare that I am a Manchester City supporter.
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MADE IN ENGLAND

2011-11-18T04:38:00.000-08:00

Message to George Osborne (Chancellor of the Exchequer) and Mervin King (Governor of the Bank of England).

In the New Year, instead of pumping an extra 50 billion pounds of Quantitative Easing (QE) into the economy to further help the balance sheets of our banks. Can you please divert this money into UK manufacturing?

The banks have already been bailed out for hundreds of billions. It really is time to re-balance the UK economy.

I’m sick and tired of hearing about credit default swaps and other financial services products. Most of them have either been miss-sold or are nothing short of going into a casino and placing a large bet.

When 30% of your economy is based upon this ‘busted flush’ scenario it’s time to think again.

I can recall when Margaret Thatcher was calling for the closure of uneconomic pits and steel works. I bet she never thought that thirty years later it would all be about bankrupt private banks.

Let’s bring back ‘Made in England.’

Golf Refugees have recently started a research project looking into biodegradable materials for golf balls. Numerous other SME’s (Small Medium Enterprises) are all trying to undertake research into sustainable materials for future products.

There is going to be a revolution, a design and manufacturing revolution, where future products will have to be designed with a ‘cradle to grave’ philosophy.

Let’s hope George can resist the lure of the banker's den and give a little to UK manufacturing in his autumn statement.
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QUESTION TIME

2011-11-17T05:46:00.000-08:00

If you are looking to purchase a new golf club, golf ball or golf shirt.

What questions should you be asking?

How about these?

What materials are used to make the product?
Where are the materials sourced from?
Where is the product made?
Do the brand's manufacturing facilities meet environmental standards of the brand's native country?
Do they pay a living wage and allow union representation for the people who make their products?
What happens to the product at the end of its life cycle? Are the materials recycled to make other products? Are they biodegradable?

The above assumes you can see the price tag and appreciate that professional golfers are paid to endorse particular brands.

Feel free to copy and paste these questions and send them to your favourite golf brand(s).
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THE FUTURE

2011-11-16T06:15:00.000-08:00

All brands, big and small, have to ask themselves how their products are made, what materials they use and what happens at the end of their product's life?

It is no longer good enough to ignore these questions, leaving a pollution legacy for others to bury in landfill sites, whether they are in your own backyard or in many cases transported to someone else's back yard.

Future products designed without such consideration are just rubbish and offer us no future.

For us golfers, golf balls need to be biodegradable. It is not sustainable to leave 350 million golf balls a year in the USA alone, to rot over a period between 100–1,000 years.

Golf apparel needs to made from materials which are recycled and or compostable.

All golf courses need to have compost toilets and minimal water, pesticide and fertiliser usage. Personally I cannot understand any refurbishment or new golf course development which does not embrace these practical measures.

Praise should not be heaped upon new courses which offer no sustainable solutions. No matter which ex-professional golfer or billionaire businessman is behind them. They are just a pollution eyesore.

Governing bodies need to show some backbone and insist upon sustainable measures for future golf equipment and natural golf courses.

Why did the R&A set up a separate, poorly funded body called the Golf Environment Organisation? To keep green issues at arms length? They should be fully integrated into the R&A’s mentality.

I am confident that some brands already believe, and will deliver by producing their future products with a ‘cradle to cradle’ design philosophy.

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WILD THING

2011-11-14T04:31:00.000-08:00

The golf swing is often described as a double pendulum.

Artists So Kanno and Takahiro Yamaguchi have created a ‘senseless drawing’ graffiti machine with a pendulum arm and spray cans.

I think I can see John Daly's swing.
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ON YOUR BIKE

2011-11-11T03:56:00.000-08:00

How many of you ride your BMX bike to the golf course instead of firing up the beamer?
Well to encourage a few more, Golf Refugees are offering a 50% discount on their BMX graphic organic carbon neutral t-shirts to any golfer who sends us a picture of their golf cycling endeavours.

Just e-mail us your photo with ‘RIDEBMXGOLF’ to;
refugees@btinternet.com

Here’s the small print in normal font size.
Offer is subject to your tee shirt size being in stock.
Open until 31:12:11
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SO BAD

2011-11-10T08:10:00.000-08:00

The LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association) do NOT have a dress code other than no jeans.

Sounds suspiciously like a dress code to me.

How did jeans get such a bad reputation for golf?

It appears ok for lady tour golfers to wear denim shorts, denim skirts and denim dresses as long as the denim doesn’t stretch to their ankles.

Picture shows Miss Erin Cummins (Miss USA) playing golf at Gleneagles wearing denim jeans.

She looks so bad.

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ANYONE FOR TENNIS?

2011-11-08T08:17:00.000-08:00

Scrumptious Japanese ace golfer Momoko Ueda pictured here practising her swing with a tennis racket.

I wonder if Rory lets Wozniacki practise her tennis stroke with his golf clubs?

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SHOCKING NEWS

2011-11-06T17:08:00.000-08:00

Tiger has a black bottom according to his ex caddy Steve Williams.

Tiger left it to his manager Mark Steinberg to respond, ‘If anyone would like to sponsor Tiger’s buttocks please give me a call.'

Golf Magazine selects male golfer Rory McIlroy as its 2011 Player of the year.

Over-looking female golfer Yani Tseng. Who would probably need to win all four golf majors, the Olympics and ‘move like Jagger’ to stand any chance.

PGA Tour to crack down on people using ‘social media’ at The Presidents Cup.

Why don’t golf fans get it? Just pay your money and keep quiet.
Order of importance;
Golf Professionals
Grass
Worms
Golf fans
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GLENEAGLES IN JEANS

2011-11-03T05:59:00.000-07:00

How do you get to play Gleneagles golf course in tight jeans and boots?

Easy, just enter Miss World.

From left to right; Miss Germany, Sweden, Netherlands, France, Scotland, England, N. Ireland and Miss USA.

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PET

2011-11-02T07:12:00.000-07:00

You are what you eat and you are what you wear. So why are you wearing sports apparel made from polyethylene terephthalate(PET)?

Here is a brief history of PET:

It's the material commonly known as polyester and is derived from petroleum. Polyester was developed in 1941 by British chemist John Whinfield and James Dickson while employed by the Calico Printer’s Association of Manchester, England.

Due to petroleum, the source of polyester, being so widely available and inexpensive during the 1950’s, use of the fabric gained popularity.

However polyester is largely regarded as a cheap fabric, uncomfortable for sensitive human skin to wear and for retaining heat. Eventually the proliferation of inexpensive suits and shirts with massive lapels started to hurt the image of the fabric for garment use.

Today with the emergence of polyester microfibers and various polyester blends the industry has experienced a resurgence.

The Tennessee Eastman Company and the Man-Made Fiber Producers Association’s (MMFPA) also played a significant role in the revival of polyester. The Tennessee Eastman Company started a YES marketing campaign for ‘polYESter’ and popularised it via radio and television commercials.

The idea was to focus on the wash-and-go properties of polyester rather than sell it as a cheap fabric.

Hoechst Fibers Industries also played a role. They conducted market research from 1981 to 1983 and found that 89% of people were more interested in the appearance of the apparel rather than what the fabric was made of.

To summarise, sports apparel brands like using polyester as it is a cheap durable fabric.

It’s also about as ‘green’ as going for a swim in an oil slick.

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FREE TREES

2011-11-01T04:19:00.000-07:00

Some people say ‘the best things in life are free’.

They may have a point.

I have always considered the British Isles to be a green and pleasant land.

Turns out those even-more-broke-than-we-are Europeans have got one over on us again with average tree coverage of 44% compared to a sparse 12% in the UK.

Golf Refugees would like to encourage individual members to plant a tree on their local golf course. Who is going to pay? I hear at least one person shout.

Well it seems the Woodland Trust have 1.6 million trees to give away.

What could be better than a beautiful tree for free? Happy planting.

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GROW UP

2011-10-31T06:56:00.000-07:00

Grow the game of golf is a new initiative based in the Netherlands and backed by various golf organisations.

We are not overly keen on their logo but it is for a good cause and they invite everyone to send in ideas on how to grow the game of golf.

So here goes;

Golf Refugees would abolish the current governing bodies of golf and replace them with somebody who can write a ‘revised rules of golf’ on a single piece of paper.

The new governing body would have female board members, members from ethnic backgrounds and members from various age groups including teenagers.

Scrap any restrictive dress code rules at golf clubs and tournaments.

Abolish single sex private members golf clubs.

Remove Amateur status from golf.

Official recognition for other forms of golf including; mini golf, crazy golf, street golf etc

Provide incentives to promote environmentally friendly measures;

Major Championships to be awarded to golf courses that develop and implement plans to reduce; water, fertilizer, pesticide usage and waste management including installation of compost toilets.

Tournament officials to wear ethically made carbon neutral apparel.

Remove performance restrictions for golf balls which are made from biodegradable materials.

Introduce minimum requirements for the use of recycled materials for all golf equipment and schemes to enable golf products to be recycled.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on how to grow the game of golf.

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YUL AND FRANK

2011-10-28T06:06:00.000-07:00

At first glance I thought this was a before and after picture for hair transplant treatment.

It turns out to be Yul Brynner and Frank Sinatra eyeing up a putt.

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PLASTIC NOT SO FANTASTIC

2011-10-26T05:19:00.000-07:00

You need a new golf shirt and succumb to a colourful, fashionable offering made from polyester.

But what is polyester?

It’s a plastic - you’ve just purchased a plastic shirt. No matter, lots of things these days are made from plastic.

Next you fancy a break and book a beach holiday. There you are catching the rays and grabbing a handful of warm, golden sand.

Where’s all this going? What’s the connection?

Well, every time you wash your plastic polo shirt after playing golf it can produce 1,900 micro fibers. These are passed through the sewage system and into the oceans and washed up on the beaches.

Catch my drift?

That handful of sand you’re holding is also a collection of micro-plastic filaments. Instead of saying ‘that sand gets everywhere.’ You could say ‘I’ve got polyester particles on my privates.’

Researchers discovered this by separating the plastic from the sand and chemically analysing it, they discovered nearly 80% of the filaments were either polyester or acrylic, both of which are common in synthetic textiles.

No single beach tested was devoid of the coloured fragments of plastic.

The most-contaminated samples also originated from areas with the highest human population density, suggesting a pathway to the oceans through sewage.

To discover how the synthetic fibers wound up in sewage, an assortment of polyester clothes were cleaned in domestic washing machines for several months, researchers collected and filtered the waste water for analysis. The numbers were startling.

Ingested micro-plastics can persist in cells for months, moving up the food chain to animals and people who eat fish. More alarmingly, some studies show that micro-plastics can absorb toxic chemicals such as PCB’s.

What if anything can be done?

You can choose to buy natural fabrics for your golf shirts over synthetic.

Textile and washing-machine manufacturers could develop filters that trap the fibers shed from washing polyester clothing.

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FAR REACHING REVIEW?

2011-10-25T04:45:00.000-07:00

Over the past four years the rules of golf have undergone a far reaching review. It has taken many man-hours and yes I do mean man-hours.

The result; a few amendments (clarifications) to existing rules.

Golf Refugees feel the only remit should have been; can the rules of golf be written on a single sheet of paper?

When I play golf there are no spectator stands or TV cables. For no one would pay to watch me. So when professional golfers ask for a free drop, I’d say no way.

They could try and use a putter off the cables, take a penalty drop for hitting the ball there in the first place or risk an electrifying shot.

It’s not as if they lay the cables down the middle of the fairways or the stands are hidden behind bushes.

I can’t think of a situation where a free drop is valid. It’s just tough. Do professional golfers need any more pampering or sucking up too?

We need to get to a situation where professional golfers do not require a small army of referees to decide what to do next.

Based in Scotland, the R&A have noticed that it can get a bit windy at St. Andrews.

This plays havoc with their toupees and sometimes causes the ball on exposed greens to move without any help from the latest Scotty Cameron putter.

You could go through the whole rule book with a red marker pen and scrap many other rules which penalise the golfer. How about grounding of your club in a bunker?

It would help many average golfers and make no difference to pros that already make exquisite bunker shots.

Amateur status from golf can go. That would save a few pages.

But if the four year review had resulted in a significant reduction and simplification of the rules, what would all of the R&A blazers be left to do?

The R&A need to keep the rules of golf over-complicated for their benefit.

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BENCHMARKING

2011-10-21T08:54:00.000-07:00

pic: scandinavia golf club

Would you like to know how much water, fertiliser and pesticides your local golf club use?

Over in Denmark, clubs are required by law to submit an annual green audit which also includes information on energy consumption and waste produced.

Just out of curiosity I visited the website for the R&A, who are the governing bodies of golf in the UK.

In 2009 they launched a benchmarking initiative, which is not about going down to your local park and spraying graffiti on the nearest bench, but a management tool to help golf course developers, owners perform ‘environmentally’ better.

Interesting to read that they are not accepting any new registrations for this service.

I wonder why? Have the R&A been swamped with requests or has it already gone down the toilet?

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CLEAR LAKE GOLF COURSE

2011-10-20T10:40:00.000-07:00

I'd rather play here than Augusta.
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SHIVER ME TIMBERS

2011-10-18T07:28:00.000-07:00

There’s a new eighteen hole golf facility in our home town of Milton Keynes.

We haven’t heard of any environmental groups objecting to the construction of this new, exciting facility. Nor have there been any reports of cheesy visits from the blazers at the governing bodies of golf.

The course offers some usual challenges and very reasonable green fees.

Unlike the new Trump course in Aberdeenshire, scallywag’s will only be charged £4.50 and stowaways can play for free.

An R&A whistleblower told Golf Refugees it was unlikely to be considered for major championships.

Still a great place to take the kids and the young at heart.

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SARAH LUND'S JUMPER

2011-10-17T07:32:00.000-07:00

I like watching those Scandinavian detectives, from Wallander to Danish crime drama ‘The Killing’.

They look great, beautifully shot.

No surprise to learn that Sarah Lund's character, a detective in Copenhagen’s homicide department, has set a fashion trend for her jumpers.

The classic cream & navy chunky-knit are made by knitwear specialists Gudrun & Gudrun from the Faroe Islands; 18 tiny islands situated in the North Atlantic between Iceland and Norway.

Natural oils in the organic wool make it water resistance and self-cleaning.

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NEW BROOM

2011-10-14T08:26:00.000-07:00

Apparently these broom-handled putters are all the rage.

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THE GOLF GIRL

2011-10-10T03:44:00.000-07:00

Golf needs Golf Girls.
Golf Refugees are happy to invite the original Golf Girl; Patricia Hannigan, famous for blogging in her bikini, to share with us her views on the ‘perception of the perfect golf course’.
Naturally we’re big fans.

The golf/real estate boom ... the one that ultimately turned into an unsustainable bubble and ended in the current economic downturn... created the expectation that a golf course, even a public or municipal course, would always be manicured and landscaped to an over-the-top, state of perfection. The Trump courses are the epitome of this, and sadly, they've set a standard. The fact is, these days many American guys expect to play on courses that emulate this standard, and they complain…loudly… when a course is left more "natural". They've convinced themselves that at such courses they'll play badly... because the conditions are not up-to-par, ie. Trump standards/PGA Tournament standards. The thing is…these guys are simply your average recreational players. Their expectations have gotten totally out of control.

Add to that the fact that a huge percentage of our "core golfers" come from a demographic... wealthy, white, US, male, republican, age 40 - 60... that categorically denies the existence of global warming and feels that anything labeled "green" is ridiculous and a passing fad.

This makes me feel that much of the talk about environmental stewardship in golf course design & maintenance is simply a disingenuous attempt to "appease the 'crazy environmentalists' out there".

Of course there are many who care deeply about the environment, particularly those in a younger demographic...the potential golfers of the future …but even if they're attracted to golf, they won't want to take up a sport that's perceived as "anti-green" and bad for the environment... Some course owners/developers understand this are striving to actually design and maintain courses in an ecologically sound way... but in many cases those course are struggling. Justin Timberlake is one high-profile example. He's put his heart and soul ... not to mention a massive amount of his own money into creating an environmentally friendly golf course, but many complain that it's not manicured enough.

Golf... particularly over here in the US… is in a tough position because of a generational shift. In order to keep their core golfers from straying to other courses, the owners need to keep their own courses looking like Augusta National... on steroids. At the same time these owners must know that future generations are not going want to take up a "clueless, old guy's game".

You can read more blogs from The Golf Girl;

http://www.thegolfgirl.blogspot.com

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STYLE AND SUBSTANCE

2011-10-09T05:49:00.000-07:00

Jeans are still banned from most golf courses, we are not sure why?
You have pro golfers dressed from head to toe in orange and this is meant to be the height of style and fashion.
But should golf courses still ban jeans of ‘style and substance’, which could purify the air as you play a round of golf?

Imagine the scene. You watch as the Range Rovers and BMW’s pollute there way into the members car park. Instead of wearing the usual checkered slacks, golfers pull on a pair of ‘catalytic-clothing’ jeans in an effort to redeem their green credentials.

Inventor Prof. Tony Ryan of Sheffield University’s faculty of science claims they could help combat the harmful emissions released by vehicle exhausts. They could take half a gram of nitrous oxide out of the environment a day. That means one million golfers could take half a ton, and that does start to make a difference.

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INSIDE OUT

2011-10-08T10:13:00.000-07:00

Some of the coolest features of our 2012 range are on the inside.

http://www.golf-refugees.com

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NUMBER TWOS

2011-10-02T11:45:00.000-07:00

Have any golf courses introduced compost loos for their members?

If your course is lucky enough to have either famous golfers or hold major tournaments. Not only will they be walking the fairways and greens, their waste can be recycled to help grow and maintain the course.

A good example would be Poulter’s poo sprayed over the fairways at Woburn Golf & Country Club.

What could be better than that?

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IS TIGER GAY?

2011-09-30T04:02:00.000-07:00

Is Tiger gay?

Probably not a question you’re likely to hear.

But why not?

After reading a survey from 300,000 golf club members, there were numerous commentators using the data to support the changing nature of the once elitist golf club membership.

However one piece of data shouted out; 86% of the respondents were male.

Not much change in the gender gap of golf club membership.

But why not?

I did my own little survey and popped into my local golf club and asked the young lads in the pro shop what they thought of the Ladies European Tour.

The consensus was ‘bunch of lesbians’.

I then asked if they’ve ever questioned the sexuality of Tiger, Phil, Luke, Rory.......

And one of them turned to me and asked
‘Are you a queer?’

So there you are. Old habits die hard.

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BEDFELLOWS

2011-09-28T09:13:00.000-07:00

I heard a whisper that the R&A and Polo Ralph Lauren are going to jump into bed together.

It’s probably just me, but why wear a shirt depicting a ‘guy on horseback' for golf?

Would you play football in a rugby shirt?

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SOLHEIM CUP 2011

2011-09-25T16:30:00.000-07:00

Is Catriona Matthew one of the most underrated golfers?

She doesn’t make much noise, either verbally or visually. Just goes about her business in a very professional and polite manner.

You don’t get to win a major championship after giving birth just a few weeks before without having a great game and mental strength. Even Tiger didn’t achieve that.

Matthew creamed the Pink Panther 6&5 in the top singles match for the victorious European Team at the Solheim Cup.

It was her fifth Solheim Cup singles victory in succession.

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WEED KILLER

2011-09-23T07:16:00.000-07:00

New Malton Golf Club in Cambridge is the first all organic golf course.

Co-owner, Paul Stevenson said "it is strange that golf clubs can spray poison on the green and then a golfer can walk straight on it – it doesn’t seem a sensible approach. All of the Uk’s 1,800 golf clubs have a responsibility towards the health and safety of their members as well as the environment."

The greens at New Malton are treated with a mix of citric acid and sugar instead of weed killer.

And going ‘green’ has had a positive effect on more than just the wildlife, costs have reduced by £50,000 is just one year.

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EYESORE

2011-09-20T10:04:00.000-07:00

Here is the first picture of Donald Trump’s proposed clubhouse for his controversial golf course on the Aberdeenshire coast.

A single-storey design made from granite with echoes of Trump’s other Scottish home, a 19th century mansion called MacLeod house, named after his mother.

The golf course is due to open next summer after a long struggle against locals and environmentalists. We all know that money talks and greased palms are the way of the business world but what about the clubhouse design?

Golf Refugees feel it is a missed opportunity to create a beautiful, innovative building using sustainable materials.

Ironically, Trump is currently appealing against a planning application to build a small wind farm near the golf course, citing that it will destroy the views and act as a local eyesore.

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WEEKEND WINNERS

2011-09-19T03:10:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to weekend winners;
Justin Rose (PGA), Great Britain & Ireland Team (Seve Trophy), Melissa Reid (LET) and Lexi Thompson (LPGA).

Winners prize money comparison;

Justin Rose (PGA - $1.4 million dollars)

Lexi Thompson (LPGA - $195,000 US dollars)

Melissa Reid (LET – 52,500 euros or $72,240 US dollars)

The only losers are those who do not play sport.

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SPORTS LIFE STYLE

2011-09-16T05:24:00.000-07:00

We like Puma gear, especially from a design perspective.

We also like to know where stuff is made, and if you look inside a pair of Puma shoes you may find they are Made in Cambodia.

Ten years ago an agreement was made where Cambodian factories were given preferential access to markets in return for guarantees about working conditions. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) would make frequent factory visits to make sure workers were being treated well and paid a minimum wage which equates to $61 US dollars a month. Everyone’s a winner; jobs for Cambodia and cheap manufacturing labour costs for western brands.

Figures released this month state a total of more than 1,500 female workers have been involved in mass fainting incidents so far this year.

The Cambodian Ministry of Labour said a variety of factors were involved, including “insecticides, smoke, high temperatures, stress and manual labour of lifting and storing”.

The Huey Chuen factory, where two of the ‘mass fainting’ incidents occurred, was making shoes for Puma.

The German sportswear brand commissioned an independent investigation and concluded that regulations had been broken. “The breaches of these standards include excessive hours of work as well as multiple occupational health and safety violations,” Puma said in a statement in June.

”At Puma we believe that our position as the creative leader in Sportslifestyle gives us the opportunity and responsibility to contribute to a better world for the generations to come.”

Next time you’re running or playing golf in a pair of Puma shoes spare a little thought for the Cambodian worker.

Your nice new shiny Puma trainers are probably being made by a young female worker enduring excessive hours, inhaling smoke and insecticides in a poorly ventilated factory where passing out is a an occupational hazard.

Sweatshop labour? You decide.

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LOCAL TALENT

2011-09-15T04:44:00.000-07:00

London is warming up nicely for next years Olympics.

Nicole Scherzinger, ex-Pussycat Doll, has just popped over and opened the £1.4 billion Westfield shopping centre in east London. Europe’s largest urban shopping mall and gateway to the Olympic park.

Yes, we’ve had some riots and our last couple of summers have been on the chilly side. But we have Lord Coe and Boris. What could possibly go wrong?

Our thoughts turn to golf’s inclusion at the next 2016 Olympics won by the city of Ro De Janeiro. One of the big questions is who should design the Olympic golf course?

A few hats have already been thrown into the ring; Greg Norman, Arnold Palmer, Annika Sorenstam, Lorena Ochoa and Nick Faldo.

Sir Nick, to his friends, has come up with an idea to select eighteen past champions to each design a single hole.

Golf Refugees idea would be to use local talent.

Please select a Brazilian architect and course designer(s) to build the Olympic golf course in Rio de Janeiro.

Brazilians look great and tourists just look like, well, tourists. I’m sure the locals will design a great looking golf course.

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WALKER CUP 2011

2011-09-12T04:53:00.000-07:00

Our boys took one hell of a beating. Not from the fancied US amateur team but from gale force winds lashing down the Royal Aberdeen links course.

Star players for the victorious GB & Ireland team were Welsh lad Rhys Pugh and unbeaten Irish starlet Paul Cutler.

Also on top form were ‘the voice of golf’ Peter Alliss and the BBC’s extensive terrestrial coverage.

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WONDER WOMAN

2011-09-08T15:40:00.000-07:00

To my left the original Wonder Woman played by US actor Lynda Carter in the hit 70’s TV series.
And to my right Melissa Reid, will she be the Europeans wonder woman at this months Solheim Cup?

That reminds me I must nip down to Marks & Spencer and get myself some new undies and a string vest.

Pic: Golf Punk

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AUDREY HEPBURN

2011-09-07T17:04:00.000-07:00

Tops are getting tighter and shorts are becoming shorter.

Do today's lady tour players need to look back at fashion icons such as Audrey Hepburn to discover their own golf style?

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READ IT AND WEEP

2011-09-07T05:02:00.000-07:00

Golf Refugees recently took the opportunity to sample the new pro shop at Woburn Golf & Country Club, part of their multimillion pound clubhouse re-fit.

Delving deeper into the apparel labels we came across a ‘100% British’ claim for a pair of IJP’s tartan pants.

They say the devil's in the detail and there in the small print were the words ‘Made in Morocco’.

How can you claim a garment is 100% British when it’s made in Morocco?

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NEW BALLS PLEASE

2011-09-06T08:42:00.000-07:00

What’s the future for golf balls?

More rules to curtail performance? More layers?

Well one thing's for sure, each one of these NON-biodegradable gems of engineering will be with us for next 100 – 1,000 years. Whether they are being played with or not.

Not a great legacy for the game of golf.

With a little directive from the governing bodies of golf and by utilising the huge depth of the world's talented material scientists and engineers, the next generation of performance golf balls, fit for the 21st Century, could be developed.

Wouldn’t you all like to see a Pro B1 golf ball? B for ‘Bio’.

Golf Refugees intend to develop a biodegradable ‘performance’ golf ball.

We have already identified a suitable bio material for the core and are relatively confident it will perform well compared to its ‘longer lasting’ siblings. The cover material is a different matter, though we are hoping to find a good solution. A local University will be using Finite Element Analysis software to provide comparative performance data.

What’s the point in the golf industry continuing to produce millions of toxic golf balls?

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SENIOR MOMENT

2011-09-05T06:22:00.000-07:00

Whilst wondering around last weekend at the European Senior Tour, we started to think of potential sponsors for future events.
How about The Werther’s Original Masters, Stannah Stairlift Open or The Steradent Cup?

The car parks were chocker, full to the brim.

We followed Sam Torrance and Barry Lane, who both smoked their way through the pine-tree-lined fairways. Luckily it was a bit damp on the final day, otherwise it could have turned into a mass cremation.

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ONE LEG TOO FEW

2011-09-02T06:28:00.000-07:00

‘One leg too few’ is the famous comedy sketch by Peter Cook and Dudley Moore.With Cooke as the casting agent who interviews Moore as a one-legged man auditioning for the role of Tarzan.

None of us know what lies ahead. I can imagine if I lost a leg that my days of playing competitive sport would be over and I would just mope about feeling sorry for myself.

But then there are people like double amputee Oscar Pistorius who made history this week by reaching the men’s 400m semi final at the World Athletic Championships.

Pictured here is Swedish golfer Caroline Larsson who played at the Pre-Qualifying School for the Ladies European Tour.

Fellow professional golfer Carin Koch said “She’s unbelievable; she hits it so good. She’s such a great person and very inspiring, positive and just a lot of fun. She doesn’t say anything bad about what has happened to her; she just takes all the positives and tries to do everything as good as she can with a new situation in her life and it’s just very inspiring.”

A one-legged Tarzan. Why not?

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JAMES GARNER

2011-09-01T08:38:00.000-07:00

You normally associate beach golf with bikini clad girls, but here we have the equally dashing US Film & TV star James Garner.

I remember Garner from the excellent 70’s TV show ‘The Rockford Files’, where James plays an ex-con-turned-private-investigator called Jim Rockford. Though my eyes were usually focused on his hot lawyer friend Beth Davenport.

Apparently Garner took up golf in the late 50’s to try and beat his elder brother Jack, a retired golf pro. "Took me about 30 years" said James.

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THE SOLHEIM CUP

2011-08-31T09:09:00.000-07:00

With psychic octopus 'Paul' correctly predicting all of Germany's World Cup soccer results.
It begs the question who will triumph at this months Solheim Cup, Europe v USA from Killeen Castle, Ireland?

Instead of listening to the usual so-called experts, Golf Refugees have instead turned to a home-grown pedigree slug called Sigourney.

With her insatiable appetite for locally grown organic lettuce, we’ll entice Sigourney to make her predictions for the foursomes, fourballs and singles matches.

It’s going to be a busy few days for Sigourney, commencing 23–25th September.

Let the munching begin.

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LEARNER DRIVERS

2011-08-29T06:40:00.000-07:00

When you learn how to drive (in the UK), you have to put an ‘L’ plate on the back of your car and be accompanied by a more experienced driver.

You learn on the back roads, where traffic is light, before venturing out onto the busy main roads.

But what happens when you learn how to play golf?

To make golf courses more learner friendly, should there be learner tees positioned much closer to the greens?

You could even stick an ‘L’ sign on your golf bag.

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TOXIC BRANDS

2011-08-23T10:51:00.000-07:00

Greenpeace have reported that traces of toxic chemicals harmful to the environment and to human health have been detected in products made by top clothing manufacturers.

Samples of clothing from Adidas, Uniqlo, Calvin Klein, H&M, Abercrombie & Fitch, Lacoste, Converse and Ralph Lauren were found to be tainted with the chemicals, known as nonylphenol ethoxylates.

Greenpeace said that nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPE's), commonly used as detergents in the production of synthetic textiles, were detected in two-thirds of the samples tested. "NPE's break down to form nonylphenol, which has toxic, persistent and hormone-disrupting properties."

Greenpeace said that it purchased branded clothing - mostly made in China, Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines - and subjected it to scientific analysis. "Even at low levels, it represents a big threat to the environment and human health."

Adidas also came under fire in a separate Greenpeace report released last month, which accused them of polluting major rivers in China with chemical waste. As the second biggest player in the sportswear industry, Adidas has an obligation to detoxify its global supply chain. "So far, the brand has done nothing despite repeated requests. This is really unacceptable.”

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DETOX STRIPTEASE

2011-08-23T08:41:00.000-07:00

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APPLECRUMBLE AND FISH

2011-08-21T04:21:00.000-07:00

Abercrombie & Fitch, also known as ‘Applecrumble & Fish’, have taken the unusual step of paying a celebrity not to wear their brand after Jersey Shore star Michael Sorrentino caused too much offence and “significant damage” to the brands ‘inspirational’ image.

Could this start a new trend with sports apparel brands paying professional golfers simply to do nothing?

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GERI HALLIWELL

2011-08-18T03:57:00.000-07:00

This is ‘ginger spice’ aka Geri Halliwell practising her putting wearing a frilly pink bikini.

Rumours are circulating that in addition to her bikini line she’s contemplating a range of ladies golf wear called ‘Wannabe’.

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THE BEATLES PLAYING GOLF

2011-08-17T04:27:00.000-07:00

The Beatles playing golf at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway golf course, back in 1964.
Did golf influence any of The Beatles songs?

Fixing a hole–Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band

Here, there and Everywhere–Revolver

Long Long Long–The White Album

Magical Mystery Tour–Magical Mystery Tour

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FOOT IN MOUTH

2011-08-13T12:16:00.000-07:00

Tiger returned to miss the cut at the US PGA wearing a pair of Nike prototype golf shoes.
Featuring ‘free’ inspired elements which allow greater movement for the front of the foot, increasing stability with mobility. Nike says “This will help give Tiger greater stability as he addresses the ball.”

Tiger hit 20 bunkers in 36 holes. Must be all that increased stability.

He also played with the latest clubs and ball and kept cool in the southern heat by the UV protective, Dri-fit shirt.

And none of it helped.

Will there now be a dose of consumer reality as to the benefits of shedding out loads of dosh for the newest equipment?

Using the latest Nike golf gear isn’t going to improve your game. Just ask Tiger.

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CHIN UP

2011-08-11T05:37:00.000-07:00

Tiger says he’s fit and ready to win again, starting with this weeks US PGA Championships at the Atlantic Athletic Club.

The bookies are not so sure with odds of 25-1 compared with favourite Rory McIlroy at 12-1 and Lee Westwood 15-1.

There are also rumours of a Tiger debt crises, after a costly divorce and loyal sponsors such as Tag Heuer calling time out on renewing their $10 million contract.

Tiger’s remaining sponsors are Nike, EA Sports and Valentin Kowa – a Japanese heat rub (though the Nike contract is up at the end of this season, after already being reduced by 50% for this year).

If Tiger’s win-less streak continues, what value will Nike put on continuing their relationship beyond 2012? Can you imagine Tiger without swoosh splattered attire?

They say when the chips are down you learn who your real friends are and Bryon Bell, President of Tiger Woods Design, is helping out as Tiger's caddie for the tournament, replacing the modest Steve Williams.

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STARS AND STRIPES

2011-08-09T15:10:00.000-07:00

We are still experimenting with colours and patterns for our 2012 eco golf polo collection for men & women.

Keeping our fingers crossed that some golf stars will wear with pride our ethically made, organic carbon neutral polo’s on tour.

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UNDERWATER LOVE

2011-08-04T08:05:00.000-07:00

Many eyes and words will be following Tiger’s return at Firestone Country Club for the WGC Bridgestone invitation. He’ll be playing with newly crowned Open champion Darren Clarke.
But what about the ladies, did someone ask?

Well from this picture you have a great comparison of British and American golf, with Melissa Reid and Stacy Lewis.

With more local knowledge Reidy opted for trousers on a typical British Isles summers day in Dublin harbour. I guess the blue golf balls represent Europe and the red USA. With our eco hats on they should have used those biodegradable balls which contain fish feed in the core for some underwater love.

Different swing techniques, with a flatter, right arm tucked in swing from the Brit and a more upright swing from across the pond.

Reidy won this duel in sudden death. Fortunately neither golfer suffered from hypothermia.

Great rivalry all bodes well for next months Solheim Cup played at the Jack Nicklaus signature course in Killen Castle. I wonder if Rory will pop round and take a butchers?

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GOLF REFUGEES

2011-08-03T07:10:00.000-07:00

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UPCYCLE WOOD

2011-08-02T09:45:00.000-07:00

What do you do with your old wooden golf clubs?

Some bright eco spark has made a neat tape dispenser.

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TIGER'S ROMEO

2011-08-01T09:50:00.000-07:00

Tiger's new caddie - swing coach, Romeo?

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RELAX

2011-08-01T05:56:00.000-07:00

To perform a fluid powerful shot you need to relax.

Dr Fred Travis Director of the Centre for Brain, Consciousness and Cognition says that golfers need to stop thinking and just focus on breathing patterns. Otherwise this self-interference can result in anger and frustration.

For validation you need look no further than swing coach Romeo, who had Tin Cup turn his hat around backwards, put a golf tee behind his left ear, put all of his change in his left pocket and tie his left shoe in a double knot, and then hit the ball.

Tin Cup asks, just like that I’m cured? And Romeo replies, yeah, you stopped thinking about your swing cause you were so worried about how silly you looked.

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NOT CARNOUSTIE

2011-07-28T10:21:00.000-07:00

Golf Refugees intrepid reporter has sent us some news and pictures from the opening round action at Carnoustie, venue ofthe women’s 2011 British Open.

However, he failed to mention on his CV that he used to work for News Corp’s News of The World and is consequently about as reliable as a chocolate teapot.

pic src: beachgolf

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SQUIRREL MONKEY

2011-07-27T05:43:00.000-07:00

If you were starting a new sports brand, what would your logo be?

Others such as Puma, Lacoste, Lyle and Scott go for creatures.

Golf Refugees have come up with their own creature: the squirrel monkey, because they are free spirited and belong in the wild. Which sounds like a good marketing line to us.

We’re going to conduct some market research at next years London Olympics and ask fans if they will swap their Pumas for Squirrel Monkeys?

If there are any investors who love squirrel monkeys, feel free to get in touch.

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CARNOUSTIE TIME

2011-07-26T10:20:00.000-07:00

If you are feeling a little bit under the weather and find yourself at home later this week. Sit back and relax with Hazel Irvine as she presents live BBC coverage, starting this Thursday with first round action, of the women’s British Open from Carnoustie.

Now if you fancy a little flutter, here are some of the latest odds on the Brits;

Catriona Matthew – Scot – 50-1

Melissa Reid – Eng – 80-1

Becky Brewerton – Wal – 100-1

Laura Davies – Eng – 150-1

And let’s not forget British amateur champion Lauren Taylor (pictured), from Rugby and just 16 years old. She could be a good outside bet at 250-1.

The World's top 15 women players are all contending for this the final major of the year.

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GOLF PRADA STYLE 2012

2011-07-24T07:40:00.000-07:00

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MISTAKEN IDENTITY PART TWO

2011-07-22T05:10:00.000-07:00

At first I thought this was Jan Molby. You know the ex Liverpool Danish central defender who signed from Ajax.

On closer inspection, it turns out to be Brit pro golfer Laura Davies, playing in the annual charity football match at the Evian Masters.

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MISTAKEN IDENTITY PART ONE

2011-07-22T05:06:00.000-07:00

At first I thought this was Fernando Torres. You know the ex Liverpool Spanish striker who joined Chelsea for £50m last January.

On closer inspection, it turns out to be Brit pro golfer Melissa Reid, playing in the annual charity football match at the Evian Masters.

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HOW LONG?

2011-07-21T13:56:00.000-07:00

Well, if you hook one into the gorse bush and after 5 minutes of searching are forced to drop another, it could live in that bush for hundreds of years.

It can take anywhere between 100 and 1,000 years for a modern golf ball to biodegrade. This is very bad news for the environment, considering that 300 million balls are lost or thrown away each year in the US alone.

When a modern golf ball dissolves, potentially hazardous toxins from heavy metals such as zinc become attached to ground sediment poisoning nearby flora and fauna.

How do golfers feel about the environmental legacy being left behind by their golf balls?

Should the governing bodies of golf be negotiating with leading brands to introduce a new generation of environmentally friendly golf balls fit for the 21st Century?

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TEXAS SCRAMBLE

2011-07-21T06:42:00.000-07:00

Is this what they mean by a ‘Texas scramble’?The LPGA deny having any ‘let’s sell sex’ policies, or ‘devising ways to get more female golfers to rock hot pants and tube tops on the driving range’.

Laura Neal, manager of communications at LPGA insists that ‘players are independent contractors and can make their own decisions’.

But would ‘Lingerie Golf’ take off?

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PURE GENIUS

2011-07-18T08:06:00.000-07:00

Most young golfers such as Rory and Rickie sip those colourful isotonic sports drinks.

But as Darren Clarke’s Open win proves, ‘good things come to those who wait’.

With his favourite tipple a pint or two of the ‘black stuff’.

I’m sure ISM is on the case, but if he’s not already sponsored by Guinness, he soon will be.

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DARREN CLARKE

2011-07-17T13:41:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Darren Clarke.

Open Champion Clarke's victory continues the remarkable run of success in major championships for Northern Ireland. It now boasts three victories in 13 months.

Graeme McDowell won the US Open at Pebble Beach last summer, McIlroy won the same title at Congressional last month, and now Darren. Incredible for a province of only a million people.

Hopefully this will keep momentum bulding for the R&A to reconsider their stubborn position and hold an Open Championship at Darren Clarke’s home club Portrush.

It would be a fitting tribute to celebrate Irish Golf.

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GEORGE NOT GEORGIE

2011-07-17T05:18:00.000-07:00

Georgie has a single figure handicap, excellent knowledge of the rules of golf and an exemplary record on etiquette.

However her application for memberships of Royal St George's came up short.

Approximately six inches short; for Georgie doesn’t have a penis.

We’re not sure about the committee’s ruling on ladyboys, but women members are strictly forbidden.

After listening to Peter Dawson (Chief Executive of the R&A) trying to defend the indefensible during an interview with Hazel Irvine, Golf Refugees simply ask, how can the governing body of golf award a major championship to a golf club that refuses women members?

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THE TALE OF TWO TOM'S

2011-07-15T04:15:00.000-07:00

You name your son Tom after golfing great Tom Watson.

Then twenty years later, you watch him play with Tom at the Open.

He shoots a 65 to end joint leader on the opening day.

He watches Tom’s glorious hole-in-one on the second day.

The two Tom’s walk and talk down the links fairways, stride for stride at Royal St Georges.

What a story.

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READY FOR THE OPEN

2011-07-13T08:34:00.000-07:00

Golf Refugees - British. Indie. Eco

http://www.golf-refugees.com/

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