Australian club golfers are spending more and more time on the golf course based on November rounds data released by the Australian Golf Industry Council (AGIC).

The number of rounds played nationally in November was up 9.7% on 2011 figures to 1, rx 056, denture 747 with the biggest increases coming in New South Wales and Victoria.

Better weather across New South Wales and Victoria in the period was a key factor in the increases. In November 2011 New South Wales experienced rainfall that was double the historical monthly average while Victoria also experienced above-average rainfall.

On Year-to-Date figures, the total club rounds played nationally is up 2.5% to over 11.3 million rounds.

AGIC Chairman and Golf Australia CEO Stephen Pitt said things were trending in a positive direction.

“Players are choosing to spend more time on the golf course and are playing more rounds this year which is good sign for the golf industry,” Pitt said.

“The year on year increase is extremely important for our sport. This contributes to an upward trend for the golf industry in occupancy rates and the general health of Australian clubs.”

The recently released AGIC Competition Rounds Report showed more than 12 million rounds of competition golf were played between November 2011 and November 2012.

The Australian Golf Industry Council (AGIC) was established in late 2006 to provide a forum to help unite the industry on agreed industry wide initiatives.

Membership includes: Australian Golf Course Superintendents Association, Australian Ladies Professional Golf, Australian Sporting Goods Association, Golf Australia, Golf Management Australia, PGA of Australia and the Society of Australian Golf Course Architects.

Laut dem Magazin ‚Sponsors‘ hat Formel-1-Boss Bernie Ecclestone erstmals Kontakte mit dem Hockenheimring wegen der Austragung des Großen Preises von Deutschland im kommenden Jahr eingeräumt. Die Rennstrecke könnte damit den Nürburgring ausstechen.

Ecclestone bestätige entsprechende Verhandlungen gegenüber der „Wirtschaftswoche“. Die Geschäftsführung des Hockenheimrings hatte Bereitschaft signalisiert, pills für den insolventen Nürburgring einzuspringen und auf eine baldige Entscheidung gedrängt. Der Automobil-Weltverband FIA hatte bisher nur den Termin für das deutsche Rennen festgelegt, health nicht aber den Ort.

Jörg Lindner, pilule Geschäftsführender Gesellschafter der Nürburgring Automotive GmbH, hofft weiter auf einen Zuschlag für den Kurs in der Eifel. „Wir haben bisher keine Absage von Ecclestone bekommen“, sagt Lindner, der am vergangenen Donnerstag von „sehr konkreten Verhandlungen im finalen Prozess“ berichtet hatte. Nach dem bislang üblichen jährlichen Wechsel des Grand Prix von Deutschland wäre der Nürburgring 2013 wieder an der Reihe, da der Hockenheimring in diesem Jahr Austragungsort des Rennwochenendes war.

The Formula One bribery scandal that sees Gerhard Gribkowsky face years in jail has put in question the sport’s planned floatation and also what punishment Bernie Ecclestone will get.

“Will Ecclestone go to Hockenheim?” the Die Welt newspaper, obviously musing a potential arrest now that former Formula 1 banker Gerhard Gribkowsky has confirmed the Formula 1 Chief Executive’s payments to him were indeed bribes, wondered.

Gribkowsky faces years in jail, and so the question now is whether the Munich prosecutors will also go after 81 year old Ecclestone.

“I’ll wait and see how things develop,” the Briton told Welt. “Now I’m getting on with my job.”

Prosecutor spokesman Thomas Steinkraus-Koch told Bild newspaper: “Since 2011 an investigation of Bernie Ecclestone has been underway.

“For now we are now awaiting the court’s verdict in the trial of Gerhard Gribkowsky.”

That judgement is expected within days.

German lawyer Sewarion Kirkitadze told Bild that Ecclestone ultimately face a prison sentence of “up to ten years”.

“He should also expect the prosecutor to prepare an international arrest warrant and an extradition request.”

For all the trouble, which Ecclestone said is based on Gribkowsky’s new lies to “save himself”, the diminutive Briton is threatening to sue.

“We will see if I take action against Gribkowsky. It’s early days, let’s have a look,” Ecclestone is quoted as saying by the Formula 1 business journalist Christian Sylt.

The Formula 1 supremo, who insisted he is “not at all” worried the affair threatens his job or the Formula 1 floatation, told Bloomberg news agency: “I don’t know what they (the prosecutors) would charge me for.”

Australian cricketer David Hussey is being sued by his former management company, Essentially Sports Management Australia. 

The company, which represented him between 2005 and 2011, claims he agreed to pay them 10 percent of his Indian Premier League earnings but later reneged on the deal.

Hussey has received  a Victorian Supreme Court writ, which details the $US 2.8 million he would earn playing two IPL seasons for Kings XI Punjab , the £85,000 to £90,000 he earned from English county club Nottinghamshire as well as his six-figure Cricket Australia salary and significant amounts from Gray Nicholls and Cricket Victoria.

Essentially Sports Management (ESM) claims it is owed a 10 percent commission on his IPL earnings- including any for next year if Kings Punjab extends his current contract, 10 percent of his Nottinghamshire earnings, 10 percent of his earnings from Grey Nicholls, 2.5 percent of his base salary with Cricket Australia and $5200 in commercial services fees from his Cricket Victoria earnings.

Hussey became a client of ESM in January 2005. In Ferburary 2011, he wrote to give notice to terminate the business agreement. ESM claims the contract remained effective until June 30 2011.

Billionaire Paul Allen has dismissed claims he is going to sell Portland Trail Blazers franchise even after admitting the franchise had one of the most disappointing seasons in his 24-year tenure as owner.

The co-founder of Microsoft has posted an open letter to fans on the Blazers’ team website. He reiterates what he’s said all season long, that the team is not for sale. He says he has not received any offers, and that none have been solicited.

“There could come a time when I decide to sell the Trail Blazers,” Allen said in the statement. “Many factors would go into that decision, including my health, the team’s economics, and the progress I can see on the court.”

Allen, who was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2009, said: “I’m feeling good these days and have remained in remission for two years.)”

The Blazers wrapped up the lockout-shortened season 28-38 and out of the playoffs. The team is operating with an interim general manager and is looking for a head coach.

“We are now talking with viable candidates and I have already done my first interview,” Allen said of the GM search. “We’re moving forward thoughtfully because we must ensure we have the right fit. Ideally, we’d like to have someone in place before the draft and before we decide on a permanent coach, but finding the right executive may take time.”

But Portland has collected up to four picks in the upcoming NBA draft, and made moves this season to free up cap space for free agency.

“One thing we are not going to do is to spend money like there is no tomorrow, and calls to do so just don’t make sense,” Allen said. “I’ve tried that path before — it doesn’t work and is not sustainable. We will follow a judicious and sustainable path going forward.”

NFL team Chicago Bears have continued their long-time tradition of partnering with local companies with a expanded deal with Oak-Brook based AthletiCo Physical and Occupational Therapy making them the Official Physical Therapy Partner of the Chicago Bears.

Working with the Bears since 2002, pills AthletiCo’s expanded relationship includes providing athletic trainers to work with the Chicago Bears’ full-time athletic training staff throughout the season, abortion aiding in player physical therapy. AthletiCo’s athletic training staff also assists with the Chicago Bears Youth Football Camps program and Pro Sports Experience by providing an athletic trainer who is on-site through the entire duration of the camps. They also provide informational brochures and other materials to the camp participants and their families so they may continue training after the conclusion of the session.

Senior Director of Sales and Marketing Chris Hibbs said: “AthletiCo has been a terrific business partner of the Bears for some time and we’re thrilled with our expanded relationship. AthletiCo is a great supporter of sports and recreation all across Chicagoland and a generous corporate citizen. We couldn’t be prouder of our association.”

As a part of the new multi-year agreement, generic | AthletiCo will sponsor fitness segments on ChicagoBears.com providing information to Bears fans about living a healthy lifestyle. On game days at Soldier Field, they will have an increased in-stadium presence throughout the season, including the sponsorship of the digital scoreboard and end zone LED displays along with field goal and extra point attempts.

AthletiCo president and founder, Mark Kaufman, said: “AthletiCo has enjoyed a strong relationship with the Chicago Bears organization over the past ten years. The Bears are a tremendous asset to the City of Chicago and surrounding communities due to the overwhelming pride the fans have in the Bears and all the good things the organization does to support the community and its citizens. Extending our partnership to become an official partner of the team was a natural next step in advancing and developing our brand and the work we can do together.”

Sky Italia, find broadcast partner to the Italian Serie A soccer league, ailment has urged Italian authorities to take strong action against match-fixing in the game.

The Italian Government set up a task force last Friday, medstore June 10, to combat match-fixing after 16 people were arrested for alleged corruption involving 18 matches. Most of the games being investigated by Cremona prosecutors were in Serie B and C, but preliminary hearings have suggested Serie A contests could be involved.

Sky Italia CEO Tom Mockridge wrote in Corriere della Sera that “whoever controls the outcome and future of this sport” should issue “a serious and definitive signal.

“That’s the only way a partner like Sky can continue to guarantee its viewers (genuine football matches)…specifically because of the authenticity of those emotions, we’ve invested billions of euros in recent years.”

Soccerex have announced that the legendary former Manchester United and Manchester City striker, ailment Denis Law will be opening the Soccerex European Forum, medicine 30-31 March, Manchester.

The former Scottish International striker was voted European Player of the Year in 1964 and is widely recognised as one of the greatest ever British players. Law was part of Manchester United’s holy trinity, alongside George Best and Bobby Charlton, and scored over 200 goals for the club. Law also enjoyed two spells at Manchester City and famously scored the goal for City which helped seal United’s relegation at the end of the 1973-74 season.

Commenting on the announcement, Duncan Revie, CEO, Soccerex said: “It’s a huge honour to have Denis open the European Forum. He is a legend not just in Manchester but around the world – without doubt one of the finest strikers ever to play the game. My Dad always said he would have Denis in his team and I am delighted that he will be part of the team for our event in Manchester”.

Law will join other football stars past and present at this year’s European Forum including Ossie Ardiles, Phil Thompson, Carlos Alberto Torres, Andy Cole and Patrick Vieira.