Golf Arizona Month: Governor Janet Napolitano has vetoed a lot of prospective legislation lately, but there is one proclamation she heartily endorses: “Golf Arizona Month. Recently, the gov’ penned the following:

“Whereas, the game of golf promotes a healthy lifestyle, community involvement, and children’s appreciation of etiquette in sports;

“Whereas, the game of golf has an overall economic impact of $3.4 billion on Arizona’s economy;

“Whereas, more than 776,305 Arizona residents play golf;

“Whereas, the game of golf attracts national and international visitors to Arizona resulting in $1.1 billion to our state;

“Whereas, golf in Arizona is a national leader in the implementation of environmental principles for water conservation, using only 2 percent of all water use in the state;

“Whereas, the 338 golf facilities in Arizona employ 19,481 Arizonans, earning $291 million in wages and benefits;

“Whereas, golf communities house more than 93,500 households with enhanced property values of $2 billion;

“Whereas, the game of golf played by Arizona’s universities are renowned for excellence in both men’s and women’s NCAA programs;

“Whereas, the professional tournaments played in Arizona – the FBR Open, Tucson Open, and Safeway LPGA Championship -- generate millions of dollars for charity;

“Now, therefore, I Janet Napolitano, governor of the state of Arizona, do hereby proclaim May 2006 as Golf Arizona Month.’’

Napolitano’s declaration, which was prompted by a recent survey on the state of the game by the Golf Industry Association of Arizona, coincides with the PGA of America’s “Play Golf America’’ program, which is also set for May. For a list of local activities and events, go to www.azgolf.org.

In addition, Saturday, May 20 has been tabbed “Play Golf America Day,’’ with the local festivities to be held at Mesa Golf Center, 3252 E. McKellips Road in Mesa. The event is open to golfers of all ages and abilities, and includes instruction, contests, giveaways, a trick-shot show and a demo day. For information, go to www.playgolfamerica.com.

NOTEWORTHY

Worthy cause: Longbow Golf Club in Mesa is hosting the Fore Noah Golf Tournament on Sunday to benefit the Neuroblastoma Cancer Foundation. In its second year, the Fore Noah event supports five-year-old Noah Nelson of Scottsdale in his battle against the disease. All proceeds, including the full $125 entry fee, go to the charity. For information, visit www.noahnelson.blogs.com

Back from Peru: Paige Peterson of Chandler and Rudy Beruman of Tempe recently represented the Arizona Golf Association in the Campeonato Internacional de Aficionados at Lima Golf Club in Peru. The AGA team ended up in 21 st place in the 72-hole competition.

Kids stuff: One of Arizona’s top daily-fees courses, Legend Trail Golf Club in north Scottsdale, is offering a comprehensive summer program for juniors age 5-15. Rates go as low as $10 a day or up to $299 for the entire summer, June 5-Sept. 15. That includes full use of the driving range and practice facilities, green fees and clinics every Monday from noon until 1 p.m. For information, visit www.legendtrailgc.com.

PRO RANKS

Star-studded: This week the Nationwide Tour’s BMW Charity Pro-Am at the Cliffs in South Carolina is rivaling the PGA Tour’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Oh, sure, Wayne Gretzky and John Elway are on the BMW marquee, but so are Kevin Costner and Cheech Marin, who played Roy McAvoy and Romeo Posar in the movie “Tin Cup.” Now if Hootie and the Blowfish can keep from being upstaged by Costner and his new yet-to-be named band, sounds like they’ve got a big weekend.

Fountain of youth: The Futures Tour lowered its age requirements to 17 this year, and the developmental tour for the LPGA has seen some startling results. In the past month, two outstanding high school seniors who reached the minimum age have turned pro – Angela Park and In- Bee Park. They join 17-year-old Song-Hee Kim, who is the Future Tour’s leading money winner with $18,528. Last week, all three players finished among the top-11 in an event at Frisco, Texas.

Rest of the story: While the argument rages on between the golf companies and the ruling bodies of the game, TaylorMade-adidas Golf recently came up with a most revealing statistic. Since 2000, the PGA Tour has added 7,326 yards to its courses. Wow, that’s longer than most golf courses!