Grants made available for superintendnets affected by hurricanes
In response to the devastating storms on the Gulf Coast, Bayer Environmental Science and The Environmental Institute for Golf have teamed up to send 10 additional golf course superintendents who were directly affected by hurricane-related weather to the 2006 Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) Education Conference and Golf Industry Show at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Ga., Feb. 6-11.
GCSAA and The Institute worked with affiliated chapters in the Gulf Coast area to identify superintendents affected by the storms. The following superintendents were selected through a random drawing:
– Gary M. Brouillette, Eastover Country Club, New Orleans, La.
– Richard Cashio, Colonial Country Club, New Orleans, La.
– Hiram A. Denley, Eastover Country Club, New Orleans, La.
– Bryan E. Jackson, The Palms Golf Course at Pleasure, Port Arthur, Texas
– Chris McCallum, Lake Charles (La.) Country Club
– Steven A. McDonald, Diamondhead (Miss.) Country Club
– James A. Moore, TPC of Louisiana, Avondale, La.
– Charles C. Simpson II, Shell Landing Golf Course, Gautier, Miss.
– James R. Smith, Riverlands Golf & Country Club, Laplace, La.
– Alan W. Sullivan, Grand Bear Golf Club, Saucier, Miss.
The 2006 GCSAA Education Conference and Golf Industry Show had originally been scheduled for New Orleans, however, the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina forced a change of venue.
For the third year, the Bayer Superintendent Grant Program has awarded five superintendents the opportunity to attend the GCSAA Education Conference and Golf Industry Show. The program assists superintendents with their professional development through participation in the annual event, which features the most comprehensive education program available in the industry. The superintendents selected receive airfare (including international), hotel accommodations for six nights, conference full-pack registration, two educational seminars (half-day, one-day or two-day), two tickets to the President’s Celebration and a $200 expense stipend. Following the destruction to the Gulf Coast, Bayer made an additional 10 grants available.
"Bayer has been a strong supporter of GCSAA and The Environmental Institute for Golf by contributing to the betterment of the golf course management profession," said GCSAA President Tim O’Neill, CGCS. "We are grateful to Bayer for stepping up its support of our members, especially those affected by the devastating hurricanes."
"The devastation left in the wake of these hurricanes is simply heartbreaking and our thoughts are with those struggling in the aftermath of this disaster, especially golf course superintendents," said Mike Daly, Bayer Environmental Science director of marketing. "By offering additional grants, the Bayer Superintendent Grant Program is one way to give back to those that have lost so much."
Bayer Environmental Science is one of five supporters at the Champion’s Club level in the Cumulative Giving Program of donors who have contributed between $250,000 and $499,999 to The Environmental Institute for Golf since 1987.
About Bayer Environmental Science
Bayer Environmental Science is a member of the worldwide Bayer Group, a $27 billion international health care and chemicals group based in Leverkusen, Germany. The Bayer Group stock is a component of the DAX and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker symbol: BAY). For more information on Bayer Environmental Science, call (201) 307-9700 or visit http://www.bayerprocentral.com.
About the GCSAA Education Conference
The GCSAA Education Conference, held in conjunction with the Golf Industry Show, is the largest educational conference in the turfgrass management industry. More than 100 seminars and 50 additional hours of educational sessions are offered, covering all ranges of golf course management, including agronomics, communication and business management.
About the Golf Industry Show
Presented by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) and the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA), the Golf Industry Show is an innovative trade show that features unparalleled networking opportunities and hands-on access to golf course and facility management solutions for professional members of the golf industry. The Club Managers Association of America (CMAA) will become associated with the event in 2007. Also participating as supporting organizations are the Golf Course Builders Association of America (GCBAA), the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) and the National Golf Foundation (NGF). For more, visit http://www.golfindustryshow.com.
About The Environmental Institute for Golf
The Environmental Institute for Golf, the philanthropic organization of the GCSAA, is a collaborative effort of the environmental and golf communities, dedicated to strengthening the compatibility of golf with the natural environment. The Institute concentrates on delivering programs and services involving information collection, research, education and outreach that communicate the best management practices of environmental stewardship on the golf course. For more on The Institute, visit http://www.eifg.org.
About GCSAA
Since 1926, GCSAA has been the leading professional association for the men and women who manage golf courses in the United States and worldwide. From its headquarters in Lawrence, Kan., the association provides education, information and representation to more than 21,000 individual members in more than 72 countries. GCSAA’s mission is to serve its members, advance their profession and enhance the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf. Visit GCSAA at http://www.gcsaa.org.
Contact:
Jennifer Remsberg
Bayer Environmental Science communications manager
(919) 549-2484
jennifer.remsberg@bayercropscience.com
Teri A. Harris
GCSAA managing director, development
(785) 832-4465
mailto:tharris@gcsaa.org
