Golf Coaches Association of America Helps Deliver Sun SafeTee Message

DVD Focusing on Skin Cancer Prevention Distributed to College Golfers

(San Diego, CA)- The Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) and the Sun SafeTee Program announce the distribution of Cover Up Before You Tee It Up™, a health education DVD that focuses on the importance of skin cancer awareness and prevention. The DVD, which is being distributed to college athletes through the assistance of the GCAA, features various segments on sun protection specifically tailored to golfers. The DVD also includes testimonials from PGA TOUR players including Hunter Mahan and Scott McCarron.

The Sun SafeTee organization has provided the DVD’s educational content spanning from how to apply sunscreen in a golf-friendly method to practical ways of utilizing clothing and accessories for full sun protection.

The purpose of the DVD is to promote Sun SafeTee’s Cover Up Before You Tee It Up™ campaign. With the support of Sundog Eyewear the DVD will be distributed to all GCAA members’ schools at no cost and will serve as a health educational tool for student athletes.

“We are very excited to partner with the GCAA to deliver our message on the importance of sun protection for men’s college golf coaches and their respective team members,” said Mark Wishner, President & Founder of the Sun SafeTee Program. Wishner added, “Having the ability to reach more than 7,000 college golfers and their coaches and knowing they will learn invaluable techniques on how to protect themselves from the sun and skin cancer is what we are all about.”

According to Wishner, in 2011 more than 2 million Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer and approximately 12,000 will die from the disease. One-in-five Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer during their lifetime. Since golfers typically spend a significant amount of time in the sun, they may have a higher risk of developing sun damage and/or skin cancer than the general population.

“The GCAA is extremely proud to partner with the Sun SafeTee Program to promote sun damage prevention and awareness,” said GCAA CEO Gregg Grost. “We are grateful to the PGA Tour and Sundog Eyewear for their support in making this DVD available to all of our members. The message we hope all student athletes and coaches take from this initiative is that proper sun protection should always remain a priority.”

About the GCAA

The Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) was established in 1958 and is located in Norman, OK. The GCAA is a non-profit organization and is the professional association of men’s collegiate golf coaches. Through its established events and programs, the GCAA maintains a goal of increasing awareness and the status of men’s golf. There are over 750 members in the GCAA representing all three NCAA divisions as well as NAIA and NJCAA.

About Sun SafeTee

The Sun SafeTee Program, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is the leader in sun protection education and skin cancer prevention programs for golfers. Sun SafeTee provides educational seminars to golf professionals and the public, distributes sun protection information and sunscreen samples at various golf-related events. The organization focuses on Junior and Collegiate golfers and is a partner with The Golf Coaches Association of America, The National Golf Coaches Association and the American Junior Golf Association along with numerous local and regional Junior Golf Associations. To learn more about Sun SafeTee or to make a tax deductible donation, visit to www.sunsafetee.org.

Ways to Enhance Memory and Lead a Brain Wellness Lifestyle

By: Alice Jacobs MS, Ed.D, CHES

Do you ever feel frustrated because you can’t find your sunglasses, your favorite golf ball marker or even your keys? Have you ever removed your nine-iron from your golf bag (to take a few practice shots in your living room) and now for the life of you, can’t find where you put the darn club?Have you ever been chatting with a friend as you walk down the fairway, and suddenly, in the middle of the conversation your mind goes blank and you can’t remember what you were about to say? Ever been in a golf shop and recognized a friend (one you’ve known for a long time), but could not recall his or her name?

 

If you answered “yes” to any of the above, you have plenty of company. All of the above can be considered normal memory experiences as people age. While the frequency of word grope, senior moments, and tip-of-the-tongue syndrome increases as we age, it is not necessarily a sign of decline or the signal of impending Alzheimer’s disease.

 

There are certain memory changes that are temporary and reversible. Memory is actually a complex system of processes, and there are many variables that can impact any part of the memory chain. Some reversible causes of memory problems include: sleep deprivation, stress, multi-tasking, infection, dehydration, vitamin deficiency, depression, colds/flu, sensitivity to medication, strong emotions (i.e. anger, happiness, grief).

How do you know if memory problems are part of normal aging or if they signify the onset of more serious problems such as Alzheimer’s disease or cardiovascular disease? The answer comes down to frequency and severity of memory problems. Everyone has forgetful episodes from time to time, but if you have a sense of concern you should consult your physician for a complete medical evaluation.

Contrary to popular myth, memory can actually get better as we age. However, it requires training, just like an athlete who challenges the body on a regular basis through exercise. Brain exercise should be incorporated into everyone’s life on a regular basis. The 1990’s marked a period of advancements in brain research driven by new technology such as the PET (positron emission tomography) Scan and the fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imagery). Researchers found that the brain is like one big muscle. As with any other muscle you have to use it, or you can lose it. Dull wit and absent mindedness are not inevitable consequences of aging. Those old stereotypes of a forgetful grandma or bumbling grandpa, are just stereotypes.

Mental exercise is just as crucial to well-being as physical exercise. Bad memory has been linked to heart disease, diabetes and even a high-fat diet. Brain protective mental and physical steps may even influence who gets Alzheimer’s disease. So if you want to stay sharp, you have to do some sort of “neurobics” in addition to aerobics. Up until just a few years ago, scientists thought that by the time a person reached age 5, the brain was wired for the rest of someone’s life. Not true.The great news is, scientists now know that the brain is constantly rewiring itself, adapting, and growing new brain cells – even throughout the aging process. Not only can a person grow new brain cells, but the more people exercise and challenge the brain, the less likely they will be to develop brain damaging disease later in life.

Medical advances have made it possible for us to have a much longer life span. We all know we should eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and control our stress, but now there is another factor to consider…brain exercise. It’s not only about formal educational pursuits, but about stimulating the brain to grow new connections. There are a variety of ways, techniques, and methods to do this. Strive to do something that stimulates your mind at least 3-5 times per week. Golf is an excellent activity. You may want to start by hitting a bucket of balls one day, a golf lesson another day, or try teeing it up for 9 or 18 holes…whatever your schedule permits. While you increase time on the course, you may find yourself reducing your time in front of the television. That’s O.K., since TV viewing is often a passive activity which positions your brain into a neutral mode.

The key words are: Keep active!

10 Tips for a Better Memory

1)If you want to remember, slow down and pay attention to what you want to remember. The number one cause of memory problems is lack of focus.

2)Say out loud what you want to remember. Don’t worry about people thinking you are strange for talking to yourself. Saying something out loud fires more brain cells and helps in the memory process.

3)Get 30 minutes of physical exercise at least 5 days a week. This helps promote circulation to the brain and will benefit your heart as well.

4)Follow a balanced, portion-controlled diet.

5)Control your stress; worry less, laugh more.

6)Make sure to drink sufficient amounts of water each day.

7)Get sufficient amounts of Omega-3 fatty acids. Your brain is approximately 60% fat and 40% water; fuel it with the right kind of fat. The easiest way to accomplish this is to eat fish 3 times per week.

8)Lighten up, everyone forgets from time to time. Accept the fact, that you cannot remember everything in this highly complex and fast-paced world.

9)Use visualization techniques as a tool. The more creative the visualization, the higher the likelihood that you will remember.

10)To remember pass codes, license plate numbers, credit card numbers, telephone numbers, and/or important dates, create a story that links the individual letters or numbers together.

Dr. Alice Jacobs is Director of Brain Gain™, a company that provides memory training and brain wellness workshops for groups and individuals. She may be contacted at www.braingain.info or (916) 791-7640.