INDEX Celebrations. 4G Fashion. Pets. a Seniors... North Shore brothers slice golfing costs by recycling Jan-Christian Sorensen Contributing Writer YOU'RE about to pay for that wicked slice into the water hazard on the fifth hole. Literaliy. North Shore brothers Galaen and Jason Singer are _ in the business of recovering lost golf balls and then * selling them back to golfers at a reduced rate. The Singers have contracts with divers to plunge the depths of water hazards on golf courses through- out North America and retrieve thousands upon thousands of mulligans and missed drives. : . Just Golf Balls then cleans and sorts the product _ into type and quality: A-grade (like new) and B-grade .(slightly-scuffed). What might cost $30 and up in pro shops or golf - stores will only run duffers $20 for a dozen A-grade balls or $15 for 12 of the B-grade variety. <’ And no matter how specific the request, they can meet it — from a Maxfli Revolution to a Titleist DT wound 90 compression ball. The store also sells other golf ball-associated items such as doorknobs and magnets and gives customized tees out with ball purchases. . s The brothers recently moved from their garage to a -3,000 sq. ft. (279 sq. m) warehouse on West Ist Street and Garden in North Vancouver and are having their official opening this weekend. ; “2 The reduced-rate balls mean that weekend war- fiors tha: spend mosi of their piaying time plumbing the. rough can now —as Roy “Tin Cup” McEvoy temarked — “curl up and let the big dog cat” instead of playing it safe ‘and taking the sensible shot. _ ““Now you can afford to go for the green,” said Galaen Singer, vice-president. “You don’t have to pull out the seven and lay up anymore.” - a <<. I think that golf is a very psychological game. A lot of people who play golfsee it as just a white ball. I try _ to educate people on how they can improve their ~ game by playing one type of ball.” 2 Just Colt Balls features three different types of balls: spin balls, medium spin balls and distance. balls. *< If you're saying “huh?” at this point, you’re not Salone.” fs _ : ; 2 A spin ball is comprised of a mix of a hard cover with a soft inside or’ vice versa. It’s designed. to aid golfers playing for the green. ; . ‘A ‘spin ball is the type Tiger Woods uses to make all those pretty chip shots that stop dead and then roll back toward the pin. And you thought he was talented. Turns out it’s the ball. _ Conversely, a:distance bail will help golfers reign in a slice or hook fromthe tee-off area. It’s your classic hard ball that will provide the maximum distance with the minimum amount of spin. Galaen said. he often opts to change from_a distance to a spin ball while he’s playing in order to get a better lay on the green. Note 'to other golfers: watch out for this guy on the links and keep your money in your pocket. - ; ** “Golf is such a psychological game that’s it’s almost just as important to feel confident with your golf ball,” said Galaen. “If you come and get NEWS photo Paut McGrath Jason, left and Gaiaen Singer, owners of Just Golf Balls in West Vancouver, are giving golfers en affordable way to keep their golf bag well-stocked. your golf balls with us and you ‘Jose a ball out of bounds, you're ‘not going to be cursing that you just lost a $5 golf ball, and you'll be_a lit- - the more light and less tense when you’re playing.” “Golf is frustrating enough,” he added. Galaen claims that they’re not looking to get teo big too fast, how- ever. Singer says he wants to be able to keep supply and demand on an even keel. With over a million balls in stock and a steadily-growing base of sat- isfied golfers, however, rapid expansion might already be a foregone conclusion for the Singers. “ In. order to better reach their mail-order audience, the Singers are also hocking their goods in cyberspace and can be found at . . THE provincial chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) has awarded North Vancouver’s Robbin Conlinn its Student Member of the Year award. Each year IABC/BC recognizes one" student who demonstrates a commitment to communication through volunteer activity, co-op placements or internships with 2 5500 cash award. Canlinn, 2 communications major at Simon Fraser, was recognized for a pro- ject she completed during her last co-op term as an infermation officer with the BC Forest Service. . In 1994, Conlinn graduated with honours from Sutherland secondary school in North Vancouver. O00 Four North Vancouver high school students have won scholarships from the North Shore Credit Union towards their post-secondary education. Alysha Kothiow of Seycove Secondary received a $1,500 scholarship, Tracy Rodger of Argyle Secondary won a $506 scholarship to BCIT, Carson Graham’s Erin Kennah was awarded a $500 scholarship to Capilano College and Sarah Black of Sutherland won a $500 non-academic scholarship that will go toward her attendance at Capilano College’s Alternative Career Training Foundations program for adults with a. goo The BCR Group of Companies in North Vancouver has released its earnings) for 1999, a The Group of Companies recorded" - consolidated revenues of $479 million in *: 1999, an increase of $62 million over the previous ycar. A large part of the growth comes from the Marine business unit of the company, where revenues more than’ - doubled following the acquisition of = Canadian Stevedoring in late 1998. : Operating income at BCR.was $72 ’ million, a $12-million improvement over 1998. - ‘ 00 North Vancouver's |. Creative Wonders Communications Inc, is one’ of 30 corporate and individual nominees’ for the Ethics in Action awards. -~.,: The awards, which recognize . busi- _Nesses and individuals who strive to mak socially and environmentally responsible decisions, will be presented at a ceremony June 27. i DANCES WITH DOGS In fact, we believe that the right choices can make the difference between a - house and a home. We are proud to have D'Alt join us. - His fundamental commitment to honesty, integrity and service is the foundation of our business. We take the long term approach because we want you to be our customers for life. Suite Dreams Furniture is very proud to welcome North shore resident D'Alt McCarthy to our ownership team. D'Alt started in the home furnishing industry in 1981 and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our already strong customer-focussed crew. Many people regard purchasing furniture as one of the most important - home-related decisions they will make. | Suite Dreams | Furniture 1989 Boundary Rd. 320-2577 just 2 minutes over the Second Narrows Bridge our clients by educating them and explaining their options to them" - D'Alt McCarthy | OPEN 7 D. aoe, geet. (RARSASKSAGHAREDRERELVTER ERASER ARR ARR ARRRRRUTAULAERR EARLIER AAS RAARTVERCECASAT EVV STEAAA www.suitedreams.net. a