WICHITA, Kan. - VersaSport International, exclusive supplier of SofTrak Synthetic Putting Greens, announced that it has constructed a SofTrak green in the backyard of PGA TOUR winner Rich Beem. SofTrak is described as a the high-performance, low-maintenance turf for residential and commercial use that closely simulates the look and feel of natural grass greens.

The new putting green installed in Rich Beem's back yard will provide a challenging practice area for the PGA Tour. Photo: SofTrak

Beem's undulating SofTrak green, located at his home in Austin, Texas, is 1,650 square feet and has multiple cups, tiers and is surrounded by fringe and several mature, towering hardwood trees.

"The SofTrak green is even better than I had imagined," says Beem, who finished second to Phil Mickelson in a four-hole playoff at the BellSouth Classic last month. "SofTrak is much more impressive than the green I had at my previous home. I had no idea that synthetic greens could look and perform this real."

SofTrak's aesthetic appeal and realistic performance are a result of its sophisticated design-and-construction process and the requirement that all SofTrak installers be trained and certified. The process includes two layers of crushed stone base, which enables undulations and contours to be sculpted into greens, as well as quick, thorough water drainage. Additionally, SofTrak's proprietary RQS in-fill material is unique to the industry in that it resists hardening over time, ensures it provides consistent-rolling putts, and it "holds" shots from as far as 150 yards away. The surface fibers of SofTrak greens are UV-ray resistant to help maintain their lush, green appearance.

A typical SofTrak putting green installation. Photo: SofTrak

"Mr. Beem is one of the world's best players, so for him to select SofTrak for his personal use is extremely gratifying," says Danny Little, CEO of VersaSport International.

According to the company, research shows that people are increasingly looking for ways to enjoy their downtime at their homes, making artificial putting greens a business opportunity for landscape contractors. SofTrak dealers can build homeowners a virtual country club in their backyard that provides high performance characteristics for the avid golfers, but versatility, fun and competition for family and friends to enjoy.

In addition to thousands of homeowners nationwide, numerous commercial businesses are having SofTrak greens built at their venues as amenities to their core business - from retirement communities and bed & breakfasts to golf course practice facilities and condominium complexes. SofTrak greens are even being used to replace real bentgrass greens on regulation golf courses.

SofTrak greens can be financed and cost $15 per square foot on average.  They cost a fraction of natural turf greens without the maintenance headaches and expenses (diseased greens, chemical applications, specialized mowing equipment, etc.).
 
For more information about SofTrak visit http://www.versasport.com/ or call 1-800-540-4899.

VERSASPORT INITIATES "PLAY WITH A PGA TOUR PRO" CONTEST

VersaSport International, supplier of SofTrak Synthetic Putting Greens is offering golfers the change to "Play with a PGA TOUR Pro" by entering the company's contest at www.versasport.com. The grand prize winner gets an expenses-paid trip for two to the Dallas area for a round of golf with Bruce Lietzke who has won more than 20 times on the PGA and Champions tours, including the 2003 U.S. Senior Open. Lietzke owns and practices on a SofTrak green in the comfort and convenience of the backyard of his home near Dallas. "I've been extremely pleased with my SofTrak green," says Mr. Lietzke. "It not only accepts shots and spins them, but it looks great, is easy to maintain and my family and friends like to use it too," says Lietzke. "My SofTrak green is so good I tell my friends on the TOUR about it, and now I'm excited to tell all golfers about it through the 'Play with a PGA TOUR Pro Giveaway' contest." Anyone can enter to win the expenses paid trip and day of golf with Mr. Lietzke at the Tribute Golf Course - which features holes patterned after some of the world's most famous and challenging Scottish links courses. There are no requirements to enter and no purchase is necessary to win. However, entrants can gain additional entries into a separate drawing by visiting a SofTrak green with a SofTrak dealer or by purchasing a SofTrak green. In addition to chances to win the "Play with a PGA TOUR Pro Giveaway" top prize, contest entrants have a chance to win equipment, including drivers, wedges and putters.   Call 800/540-4899 or visit www.versasport.com to request a SofTrak green test or demonstration.

Tuesday, May 17, 2005

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