Drive it Home: Scotland’s biggest global golf promotion
Scotland: the Home of Golf is offering its biggest ever golf promotion in 2010, with over 250 tee times throughout Scotland, the chance to play golf with Sam Torrance, win a trip to the Open Championship in its 150th anniversary year, and play the illustrious St Andrews Old Course.
From 15 – 28 February 2010, golfers can register on http://www.driveithome2010.com to win their free golf times, where they could see themselves and three of their friends playing on one of over 50 of Scotland’s top courses, from the world famous Turnberry and Royal Troon in Ayrshire to the Torrance Course at Fairmont St Andrews and Gleneagles, home of the Ryder Cup 2014.
March sees Golf fans given the opportunity to win a golf visit to Scotland, including a day with Scotland’s Ryder Cup legend Sam Torrance; while April offers the chance to win a trip to July’s Open Championship and play the famous Old Course.
Scotland is undeniably the Home of Golf, with over 550 courses to choose from and having pioneered the game from as early as the 15 century. From the iconic courses of St Andrews and the coastal links of Aberdeenshire, Morayshire and Ayrshire, to the challenges Dalmahoy and Gleneagles, Scotland’s golf courses provide the experience of a lifetime for golfers.
Sam Torrance, VisitScotland’s golf ambassador, said, ‘The Drive It Home promotion is the perfect reason for international golfers to visit the Home of Golf in 2010. Scotland is the undisputed ‘Home of Golf’. We have the best courses in the world and facilities that are second to none and will again be firmly on the golfing map this year with the 150th anniversary of the Open Championship. Scotland has over 550 courses the length and breadth of the country, the difficulty golfers have when visiting is choosing their favourite!’
This year’s Drive it Home campaign website harnesses the support and enthusiasm of hundreds of partners across Scottish tourism, including 60 accommodation providers and travel operators. With free tee times up for grabs at over 50 of Scotland’s courses, and a range of associated discounts and deals, this year’s biggest golf push is on course to persuade even more golfers to ‘Drive It Home’.
The winners of the free four-ball will be selected in a random drawing from all eligible entries received, on March 1, 2010. By entering the prize draw, entrants fully and unconditionally agree to be bound by these rules and decisions of the judges.
265 winners will receive a free four-ball. There will be one free four-ball per winner. Winners are designated a specific golf course on which to redeem their free four-ball – this is non-transferrable. Golfers nominated to join a free four-ball are not eligible to claim a free four-ball themselves.
The four-ball prize may be redeemed at the designated Scottish Golf Course between 13th April – 30th October 2010, subject to availability.
Source: Visit Scotland
Yamaha announces 2010 ATV race teams
GNCC Racers to do Battle On Trail-Optimized YFZ450X; MX Racers Return Aboard Championship Winning YFZ450R
Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A. has announced its 2010 ATV race teams. Returning to defend Yamaha’s 2009 Manufacturer’s Cup in the Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) series are Bill Ballance, Traci Cecco, Brandon Sommers, Taylor Kiser and Walker Fowler. In the motocross world, Thomas Brown will compete in the ATVA/AMA National Motocross pro series, and Dustin Nelson returns to defend his Yamaha/ITP QuadCross Championship while also competing in the World Off Road Championship Series (WORCS).
“This is the first full year of racing for the YFZ450X, and the YFZ450R returns to defend its crown after taking an MX championship in 2009,” said Steve Nessl, Yamaha’s ATV Marketing Manager. “We are proud to support the sport of ATV racing in its many venues. It will be exciting to see these teams and the two high-performance YFZs battle it out in their respective off-road environments.”
Yamaha’s 2010 ATV Race Teams include:
Bill Ballance, the record holding nine-time GNCC XC1 Pro champion, is returning to attempt to recapture his title in 2010 after a fourth place overall finish last year. He continues to lead Yamaha’s ATV cross country efforts with more than a decade of winning experience that has gained him wide respect as the best ATV racer of all time. In addition to racing, Ballance will manage the Ballance Racing team, which also includes Kiser and Fowler. Ballance races the YFZ450X.
Traci Cecco is another GNCC record holder with seven GNCC Women’s titles. She finished second overall in the Women’s Class last year, and is poised to top the podium again in 2010. Cecco races the YFZ450X.
Walker Fowler will represent Yamaha in the GNCC’s XC2 class this year after winning the 2009 College A class and earning a top 20 XC1 finish at last year’s GNCC Ironman finale. Fowler races the YFZ450X.
Taylor Kiser is back on a Yamaha in 2010 after capturing the second overall spot in last year’s XC1 class and earning the series’ Most Improved Rider Award. Kiser races the YFZ450X.
Brandon Sommers captured the GNCC XC2 class championship in 2007 and moved up to the XC1 class in 2008. He finished an impressive fifth place in his first XC1 Pro season and again in 2009. Sommers races the YFZ450X.
Thomas Brown is in his second year on Team Yamaha having won the ATVA/AMA National Motocross Pro-am Championship in 2008 and finishing tenth in the pro class in 2009 earning him the Pro Rookie of the Year award. Brown races the YFZ450R.
Dustin Nelson is a three-time Yamaha/ITP QuadCross MX Pro Class champion having captured two consecutive titles the past two years. He is also competing in the WORCS series this year. Besides being a top ATV MX racer, Nelson is a veteran Yamaha test rider and was very involved in the development of the YFZ450R, which he is racing again this year.
In addition to the 2010 race team, Yamaha has increased its fan appreciation activities throughout the Yamaha/ITP QuadCross series with discounted tickets at Yamaha dealers ($5 off admission) and free race entries to any pro racer maintaining a current top 10 standing aboard a Yamaha ATV.
Jaguar returns to Le Mans
JaguarRSR XKR GT2 confirmed for 24 hours of Le Mans in 2010 – the 75th year of Jaguar
The year 2010 marks 75 years of the Jaguar name on both road and race cars. As a continuation of this great heritage, Jaguar will return to the famed 24 Hours of Le Mans sports car endurance race. With seven wins between 1951 and 1990, Jaguar is the single most successful British make in the French race’s history. Jaguar will return to Le Mans this year lining up on the starting grid on June 12th, 2010 with an XKR GT2 run by JaguarRSR.
Paul Gentilozzi, Principal Partner, JaguarRSR commented, “We are delighted the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) has granted us entry in the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans. This race is held dearly in the hearts of motorsport fans across the world and for Jaguar to be racing at Le Mans again is something special.”
“We are fortunate to bring an international line-up of the world’s finest driving talent including Scott Pruett and Marc Goossens for this race.”
Gentilozzi, who will drive the JaguarRSR XKR GT2 in the 2010 American Le Mans Series (ALMS) added, “Spirits will be high around Jaguar’s return to Le Mans but we must remember the incredibly high level of competition; a podium finish will not fall into our hands. That said, I can guarantee 100 percent commitment from JaguarRSR and urge fans of Jaguar and Britain’s racing heritage to support the team whole heartedly.”
C.J. O’Donnell, Global Marketing Director of Jaguar Cars said, “Motorsport has always been important to the Jaguar brand. Our domination of Le Mans in the 1950s was a foundation on which the company was developed. It was twenty years ago that Jaguar last won Le Mans with a TWR Jaguar Sport entry driven by John Nielsen, Price Cobb and Martin Brundle. Returning to Le Mans will reignite excitement for the marque across the globe, all the more poignant in our 75th year.
“With the introduction of the new XK, XF and XJ, the Jaguar brand has advanced cutting-edge technology, stunning design, plus our ‘R’ performance driving experience. We now return to motorsport to demonstrate this achievement and the prowess of the Jaguar XKR sports car.”
In 1951, the C-type won Le Mans in its first attempt, with a further victory in 1953. The D-type took Le Mans wins in 1955, 1956 and 1957. This racing success was followed in 1988 with the Jaguar XJR-9LM, a V12-powered Group C car. Another outright victory would follow in 1990 with the Jaguar XJR-12.
Source: Jaguar
California State Assembly Bill aims to protect youth athletes
The California Athletic Trainers’ Association Seeks to Decrease Catastrophic Injuries
With approximately 7.5 million high school students participating in sports today, the dangers of kids getting seriously hurt and not receiving appropriate care isn’t just a possibility – it’s a reality – and the consequences can be deadly.
On Wednesday, January 27, Assemblymembers Mary Hayashi, D-Hayward and Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, with the California Athletic Trainers’ Association, presented AB 1647, a California State Capital bill calling for increased safety precautions for young athletes.
The bill is co-authored by Senator Tony Strickland, R-California; and state Assemblymembers Tom Ammiano, D-San Francisco; Joan Buchanan, D-Almo; Mike Davis, D-Los Angeles and Lori Saldana, D-San Diego.
“It’s our responsibility to ensure we provide our kids a safe environment to participate in athletics,” says Hayashi. “That means making sure there’s proper safety equipment and qualified staff available to react to any and all emergencies.”
Studies show a significant increase in catastrophic injuries resulting in death or permanent disability. In the last academic year, 40 secondary school athletes suffered life-altering injuries and over 125 youth athletes died, including 18 in California.
AB 1647 requires:
– Department of Education to adopt a heat-acclimatization program established by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) or another similarly recognized organization
– A written emergency action plan
– On-site availability of a regularly maintained and tested AED
– Any athlete suspected to have sustained a concussion must immediately be removed from activity; evaluated by a licensed physician/athletic trainer under the direction of a licensed physician; and, receive written clearance from a health care provider before returning to play
– Title protection for athletic trainers requiring them to:
– Graduate from an accredited college/university athletic training program
– Pass an examination approved by the Board of Certification
– Meet the continuing education requirements defined by the Board of Certification
“Having an athletic trainer on-site can mean the difference between life or death,” says Beth Mallon, founder, Advocates for Injured Athletes, whose son fractured his neck during a school lacrosse game. “We were fortunate to have a staff athletic trainer who realized the severity of Tommy’s injury – otherwise Tommy would not be with us now.”
Brain injury, heat illness and sudden cardiac arrest are just a few of the serious conditions suffered by young athletes on the playing field, and athletic trainers are educated to manage such catastrophic injuries. More than stereotypical ankle tapers, athletic trainers’ are physical medicine specialists who provide prevention, recognition, clinical assessment, treatment, rehabilitation and reconditioning of such injuries and illnesses that are sustained during activity.
Nationwide, only 42% of high schools have athletic training services. California is one of only three states that does not regulate the athletic training profession.
“This is just the first step in state protection of youth athletes and recognition of the athletic training profession,” says Mike West, President of the CATA. “Our ultimate goal is to have an athletic trainer in every school, at every game and at every practice.”
Earlier this month, both the NATA and CATA spearheaded the Alliance to Address the Youth Sports Safety Crisis in America with the support of 29 leading health care and sports organizations. Visit http://www.youthsportssafetyalliance.org/ for more information.
For more information about the CATA, visit http://www.ca-at.org/.
Harmony School student wins State and National Special Olympics competitions
17 year-old Dimple, of the Harmony School in Dharamsala, India, wins National 25 meter Special Olympics competition and has the opportunity to compete internationally.
Harmony Through Education (Harmony) is a 501(c)(3) international non-profit organization, specializing in creating schools in rural India for mentally and physically challenged children, was asked to participate in the annual statewide Special Olympics competition, held in Himachal Pradesh. The Harmony School sent four students to compete against other special needs children. One of the students who participated was a 17 year-old female student, Dimple Lal, received a gold medal in the 25 meter dash and a silver medal in the 50 meter competitions. This qualified Dimple to compete in the National Athletics Championship competition in Anatapur, India on January 12, where she was took home the gold metal in the 25 meter dash. Dimple will go on to represent India and compete internationally with the other star athletes in the international Special Olympics competition.
Harmony Founder and President, Seth Shaffer was ecstatic after being informed that Dimple won the 100 meter dash competition by the Director of the Harmony School, Anil Bhatnagar. “Dimple is from a rural area located in the foothills of the Himalayas and three years ago and her family couldn’t imagine having access to educational opportunities that would accommodate Dimple’s learning challenges, said Mr. Shaffer. “One and a half years later, Dimple has been recognized and rewarded for her strengths and abilities by the entire sub-continent of India.”
Source: Harmony Through Education