July 14, 2009
Landmark Pays a Visit to Bermuda

01. Tucker's Point - Bermuda (2009) Landmark Golf Course Products	02. Tucker's Point - Bermuda (2009) Landmark Golf Course Products	03. Tucker's Point - Bermuda (2009) Landmark Golf Course Products
04. Tucker's Point - Bermuda (2009) Landmark Golf Course Products	05. Tucker's Point - Bermuda (2009) Landmark Golf Course Products	06. Tucker's Point - Bermuda (2009) Landmark Golf Course Products
07. Tucker's Point - Bermuda (2009) Landmark Golf Course Products	08. Tucker's Point - Bermuda (2009) Landmark Golf Course Products	09. Tucker's Point - Bermuda (2009) Landmark Golf Course Products
10. Tucker's Point - Bermuda (2009) Landmark Golf Course Products

Representatives from Landmark Golf Course Products recently made a trip to the island of Bermuda to visit a few golf clubs, including a most recent client, Tucker's Point Golf Club.  When the decision was made to upgrade the site furnishings, set along the spectacular turquoise shores of Castle Harbour, Tucker's Point Director of Golf, Jason Epstein, went in search of complimentary furnishings that could also withstand the salty air along the coast.

"Tucker’s Point takes great pride in it’s commitment to offering our members and guests the highest quality product, which is why we chose Landmark. The image, feel and quality of Landmarks work is evident in all of their products we have here at Tucker’s Point."

His first encounter with our Landmark line of hardwood products came in the climate controlled showroom floors of the Orlando Convention Center at the 2009 PGA Merchandise Show.  When asked why he chose Landmark furnishings for his facility, Jason stated, "Landmark’s products add to the relaxed yet sophisticated environment here at Tucker’s Point. They are understated and rich in quality, a perfect compliment to one of the worlds most desired golf experiences."  Before we even returned from the show, we had our craftsmen working to build a presentation that was befitting such a highly regarded destination facility.

Tucker's Point Golf Club selected a number of practice range pieces from our new line of Amarillo 'Luxury-brand' hardwood furniture.  Once we arrived on site, we could see for ourselves what a good decision they made.  Jason preferred the amber hue of the Amarillo hardwood to the rich, dark colors of the Rinowood furnishings.  The color choice was excellent, as the furnishings blend into their surroundings with a subtlety that doesn't distract from the spectacular views that surround their guests.

We also made a visit to the newly renovated Port Royal Golf Course by the shores of Whitney Bay.  Designed originally in 1970 by Robert Trent Jones Sr., the course has retained the same great layout that inspired Golf Digest to rank it among the world's best public courses, and once again it will compete on the world stage, hosting the PGA Grand Slam of Golf during the third week of October, 2009. General Manager, Bill Pitt, set out to find a 'Luxury-brand' line of outdoor furnishings and fixtures to put an exclamation point on the improved facility,  and he found it in our new Black Forest 'Luxury Series' line of products.  Made from eco-friendly EasyCare recycled plastic panels framed in our traditional Rinowood hardwood trim, we personalized nearly every piece with their course logo, reminding every guest of the golf course they chose to play that day.
 
Given the chance, we would encourage all of you to visit Tucker's Point Golf Club, Port Royal Golf Course, and the Mid Ocean Club on the spectacular island of Bermuda, a superb golfing destination.

April 9, 2009
Source: USGA
By Jean Mackay and Shawn Williams
Great Sign!

Signage that makes a point.

Over the last ten years, golf courses have made excellent strides in enhancing and protecting the nature of the game. Among the signs of progress are the many great signs now found on golf courses. Signage that points out a golf course's unique natural features or highlights the benefits of environmental stewardship is a simple and effective way to educate golfers and the public.

TIPS

Know Your Target Audience: Determine who the sign is intended for, e.g., the public or employees. Your audience may influence the design and wording of the sign.
Determine the Sign's Purpose: Why is the sign being posted? Is it to educate, call attention to something, or offer instruction?
Include Key Words: Use words that convey your message quickly and easily.
Avoid Wordiness: Keep wording simple and to the point. Too much text is often counterproductive. People won't read signs that have too much information.
Make It Legible: Keep the font simple and be sure that the font size is large enough to be read at a distance.
Choose Contrasting Colors: Choose colors that can be differentiated easily from one another.
Include Graphics: Even simple graphics can make signs more eye catching.
Consider Weatherproofing: Protect signs from the elements to increase life expectancy and maintain attractiveness.
Choose the Best Location: Post signs in locations that are well trafficked and where people are likely to pause and read them.

Jean Mackay formerly served as director of education at Audubon International and is the current director of communications and outreach for the Erie Canalway National Historic Corridor in New York State. Shawn Williams, staff ecologist, assists golf courses in enhancing and protecting their natural assets through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses. To find out more, visit www.auduboninternational.org.

Don't forget to contact Landmark for all of your signage needs! 1-888-337-7677 or 1-414-395-2484 (outside US).

March 24, 2009
Our New Look

Well, maybe not so new as it is improved. With all the new products we added this year, our website had to adapt to become more user-friendly. Throughout the year, we will contribute more to our news feed to keep our clients in the loop as to what's going on with not only our company, but also the industry as a whole.

Also, be sure to view our latest advertisement in Golf Inc Magazine for the March/April 2009 issue!

February 13, 2009
Source: Golf Inc. Magazine (www.golfincmagazine.com)

How to survive the storm: Strong, patient leadership needed to weather these difficult times

We are all painfully aware of what has been creating those restless nights and difficult board and staff meetings over the past couple of years.

Our sector of the hospitality industry is in a recession, especially if you are involved with a residential country club that is still developing its membership. Membership enrollments have dramatically declined and the ability to collect high initiation fees and deposits is a thing of the past. Many clubs are scrambling to adjust and offer special membership programs, discounts, financing programs and more.

So what should we expect to see over the next two years?

The current situation will continue (at best) for the next two years. There are no short-term solutions to most of the issues that are causing pain for management and club members. The residential real estate markets may start to slow the decline in sales and prices, but no one is predicting turnaround in this sector over the next 18-24 months. The next area to see softening will be the commercial real estate markets and this will not be good news.

Employment trends are not encouraging and retailers are struggling. It may get worse before it gets better, but it will change. Nothing stays the same and if you can step back and take a deep breath and not panic you can actually benefit from any of these cycles or at least survive.

The first advice is to stay informed of what is happening in the local, regional, national and international markets. Study the past down cycles; if you are not a student of history you are doomed to repeat it.

Don’t panic. You are not alone and there are strategies you and your team can use that will help to position your club for the eventual turnaround.

| click to read full article |

January 19, 2009
Moving Forward...

What if you could change the dimensions of your products to fit the specific needs of your club? What if you wanted to incorporate some of the same architectual design elements of your clubhouse into the exterior furnishings...or possibly a cultural theme from your surrounding historical landscape? Rather than simply having the opportunity to choose a color for a piece of pre-made furniture, would you like to make choices concerning the weight, the shape, the function, AND the color? How about whether or not to include a logo, where it should be placed, and what it is made from...and knowing all the while a Landmark account manager is there with you every step of the way!

In addition to making our popular line of Rinowood™ products now available in Amarillo™ and Cedar, we are also proud to introduce our new LUXURY SERIES (LX) trim to the Hampton Series line of Natural Wood, EasyCare™, and Black Forest furnishings. As a means to personalize one's furnishings and fixtures without reinventing the wheel, the Luxury Series trim seamlessly incorporates your logo or brand identity into each piece of furniture, reminding your members and guests why they chose your facility.

Call your Landmark sales representative or request your FREE 2009 Catalog for more details!