The Sandhills Golf Course Superintendents Association does a lot of good things, and one of them is making donations to worthy causes.

The SGCSA held a breakfast at Mid Pines Resort recently and announced several of its benefits.

Bill Baker, executive director of The First Tee of the Sandhills, was presented with a check for $500. Scholarships of $300 were also presented to Sandhills Community College turfgrass students Dustin Jennings and Brian Bauer.

The association also held at 50/50 raffle that raised $310 to benefit the Food Bank of the Sandhills.

Rules Seminar: Feeling a little rusty on the Rules of Golf? Just like to sit in on something pertaining to the game without turning blue from cold? Here’s something that might interest you serious golf nuts.

The Carolinas Golf Association (CGA) has announced the schedule for its annual series of USGA Rules of Golf Seminars. This year's series will be the 35th year the CGA has served the Carolinas with Rules of Golf education and annual rules presentations.

The scheduled 14 seminars are free of charge to attendees, who will view a narrated computer presentation on the basics of the Rules of Golf followed by question and answer sessions. Seminars typically last between 1 1/2 to 2 hours in duration. A free 2010-11 Rules of Golf book will be distributed to all participants, and information on the Carolinas Golf Association will be available.

For local and area golfers, a seminar will be held March 3 at Whispering Pines at 5:30 p.m.

Seminars are open to golfers of all ages and abilities, including members of CGA member clubs, college and high school golf teams and the general public.

Carolinas PGA members and LPGA members receive education credits for attending a seminar. Seminar attendees are encouraged to preregister online at www.carolinasgolf.org.

For further information, contact the CGA, P.O. Box 319, West End, NC 27376, phone (910) 673-1000 or e-mail Andy Priest at apriest@carolinasgolf.org.

Stay Warm: The folks at the Lonnie Poole Golf Course in Raleigh have solved one problem of cold weather golf by offering heated golf carts.

“During the recent cold spell,” said general manager Chip Watson, “we had some players tell us that it would be nice if we could help them stay warm and comfortable. So we’ve complied with their request.”

Effective immediately the popular new course on the N. C. State University campus is offering carts that are enclosed with a heavy transparent vinyl covering and propane heaters. The cost is an extra $15.

Watson said that winter play had been steady despite some lower-than-expected temperatures.

The course is open to the public.

To reserve a starting time call (919) 833-3338.

Contact Howard Ward at howardward@att.net.