John Deere World Championship donates to The Environmental Institute for Golf
The Environmental Institute for Golf, the philanthropic organization of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), has welcomed John Deere & Co. to its Platinum Tee Club, recognizing its donation from the 2006 John Deere World Championship.
A portion of John Deere’s donation of $15,000 from its World Championship was applied to complete its pledge to the "Investing in the Beauty of Golf" endowment campaign. The remaining portion of the donation makes John Deere a Platinum Tee Club member. The Platinum Tee Club is the giving club for organizations that contribute a minimum of $5,000 annually to The Institute. John Deere also is recognized at the Champion’s Club level through The Institute’s cumulative giving program of organizations that have contributed between $250,000 and $499,999 since 1987.
"John Deere is committed to this industry and we believe in investing in the future of golf," said Gregg Breningmeyer, director of sales and marketing, John Deere Golf & Turf One Sourceâ?¢. "That’s why we are pleased to make this additional contribution to The Environmental Institute for Golf. We look forward to the research and educational advancements The Institute is planning."
The 20th annual John Deere World Championship was held Nov. 9-12, 2006, at Reynolds Plantation in Oconee, Ga. Utica Farm Equipment of Port Perry, Ontario, Canada, featuring GCSAA Class A member Thom Charters, golf course superintendent at Bayview Country Club in Thornhill, Ontario, won the 36-hole event played on the Oconee Course and the National Course. Each foursome competing in the tournament represented members of a typical golf course management team – superintendent, owner, manager, pro, etc. – brought together to demonstrate a different set of skills on the golf course. A total of 44 teams from eight different countries participated in 2006, narrowed from a field of more than 1,000 teams that competed at the local and regional levels to qualify for the Championship.
John Deere (Deere & Company -NYSE:DE) is the world’s leading manufacturer of agricultural and forestry equipment; a leading supplier of equipment used in lawn, grounds and turf care; and a major manufacturer of construction equipment. Additionally, John Deere manufactures engines used in heavy equipment and provides financial services and other related activities that support the core businesses. Since it was founded in 1837, the company has established a heritage of quality products and services, providing performance that endures to customers worldwide. Visit www.JohnDeere.com.
The Environmental Institute for Golf, the philanthropic organization of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (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 research, education and outreach that communicate the best management practices of environmental stewardship on the golf course. For more on The Institute, visit www.eifg.org.
Celebrating its 80th anniversary, GCSAA is a leading golf organization and has as its focus golf course management. Since 1926, GCSAA has been the top 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 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 www.gcsaa.org.
Contact:
Jeff Bollig
GCSAA director of communications
(800) 472-7878, ext. 4430
jbollig@gcsaa.org
