AMES, Iowa -- GCSAA and the Iowa GCSA are among the sponsors of the 2005 Special Olympics Golf National Invitational Tournament, Sept.16-19, in Ames, Iowa.

In addition to financial support of the event, golf course superintendents who are members of both the Iowa GCSA and GCSAA will conduct tours of Ames Country Club for the participants. The purpose of the tour is to showcase the many aspects of golf course management, the environmental compatibility of golf courses and to educate players about the preparation and conditioning of the playing surface.

The objective is to educate the athletes about golf course management and discuss the following topics.

* History of the course and game of golf
* Greens construction and management / Hole cutting demonstration
* Hazards/Bunkers
* Golf course irrigation
* Fairways, rough and natural areas
* Tee construction/management
* Course set up
* Golf and the environment

A roster of nearly 200 golfers has been announced for the sixth annual tournament, including one with has special meaning to many GCSAA members. Thanks to support provided by the golf course management industry, superintendents across the nation and GCSAA, Steve Espinoza and his son John realized a dream with the building of a golf course in their back yard in Eureka, Mont. This year John will compete in the national tournament with his partner Blake Williams, son of GCSAA past president Bruce Williams, certified golf course superintendent at Los Angeles Country Club.

For more on the event, and its sponsors, visit http://www.specialolympicsgolf.org.