Michael Happe, managing director of The Toro Company’s commercial equipment business, has been appointed to represent Toro on the Environmental Institute for Golf’s Advisory Council. The Institute is the philanthropic organization of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA).
The Advisory Council provides guidance to The Institute’s board of trustees in the areas of outreach, fundraising and strategic planning. The members were selected to enhance The Institute’s ability to cultivate relationships with current and potential donors, as well as communicate the importance of the work conducted by The Institute. The Advisory Council is headed by World Golf Hall of Fame member Greg Norman.
"Toro has been a valuable partner for The Institute over the years," said Norman, chairman and CEO of Great White Shark Enterprises. "It shares the Institute’s vision to strengthen the compatibility of golf with the environment and has played a key role in helping fund many research and education programs. Adding Mike to the Advisory Council will only enhance our collaborative efforts."
Mike Hoffman, Toro chairman and CEO, served on The Institute’s (known then as the GCSAA Foundation) Board of Trustees from 1997-2000 and Ken Melrose, retired chairman and CEO of The Toro Company, is a current member of The Institute’s Advisory Council.
Toro was the first organization to be recognized at the Victory Club level through The Institute’s cumulative giving program of organizations that have contributed more than $1 million since 1987.
It is also a member of the Platinum Tee Club, which is the giving club for organizations that contribute a minimum of $5,000 annually to The Institute. Toro funded the first three phases of the GCSAA Golf Course Environmental Profile project, as well as The Institute’s online environmental resource, EDGE. GCSAA’s annual Dr. James Watson Fellowships for the future educators and researchers of the turfgrass industry are also funded by Toro through The Institute.
"The Toro Company is committed to investing in the future of golf and ensuring its compatibility with the environment," said Happe, who becomes the 22nd member of the Advisory Council. "We are very pleased with the longtime relationship between Toro and The Institute, and the research and educational advancements that the relationship has provided. I look forward to building upon that relationship as Toro’s representative on The Institute’s Advisory Council."
Toro’s longtime support of The Institute falls in line with its commitment to the protection of the environment as a company value and sound business strategy. Its passion is helping homeowners and professionals create beautiful outdoor spaces with innovative products and services. Through The Toro Foundation, the company also provides numerous grants and scholarships to environmental organizations and programs. In addition, Toro funds turf management research programs at leading universities and invests in its own agronomic research to help develop new products and technologies that protect and preserve the earth’s limited resources.
The Environmental Institute for Golf’s Advisory Council:
Gregg Breningmeyer, John Deere Golf & Turf One Source director of sales and marketing Tom Crow, founder of Cobra Golf and a retired trustee for The Institute Pete Dye, golf course architect John Foster, West Coast Turf president Sergio Garcia, PGA Tour professional Dana Garmany, Troon Golf chairman and CEO Michael Happe, The Toro Co. managing director, commercial equipment business Jack R. Harrell Jr., Harrell’s Fertilizer CEO Bill Jones III, Sea Island Co. chairman and CEO Paul C. Kanavos, Flag Luxury Properties, LLC chairman and CEO Bill Kubly, Landscapes Unlimited CEO and immediate past chairman of The Institute’s board of trustees Owen G. Larkin, Vineyard Golf Club (Edgartown, Mass.) president Rafael Martinez, Republic Capital Corp. president and Institute trustee Gary N. McClung, Midway Ford/Sterling Truck Center president and developer of Quintero Golf and Country Club (Peoria, Ariz.) Ken Melrose, retired chairman and CEO of The Toro Co.
Greg Norman, Advisory Council chairman, Institute trustee and Great White Shark Enterprises chairman and CEO Jaime Ortiz-Patiño, Valderrama Golf Club (Sotogrande, Spain) owner and president David Pillsbury, president of PGA Tour Golf Course Properties and chairman of The Institute’s board of trustees Vijay Singh, PGA Tour professional Joe Steranka, PGA of America CEO Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Dubai World chairman Weldon Wyatt, Sage Valley Golf Club (Graniteville, S.C.) founder and CEO The Toro Company (NYSE: TTC) is a leading worldwide provider of outdoor beautification products, support services and integrated solutions. With sales of $1.8 billion in 2006, Toro is committed to providing environmentally responsible products of customer-valued quality and innovation. Since 1914, the company has built a tradition of excellence around a number of strong brands that serve a customer base that includes golf course superintendents, groundskeepers, sports field managers, landscape and irrigation contractors, fruit and vegetable growers, and homeowners. The Toro Company is headquartered at 8111 Lyndale Avenue in Bloomington, Minn. Visit the company Web site at www.thetorocompany.com.
The Environmental Institute for Golf 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.
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.
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For more information contact:
Teri Harris, GCSAA managing director, development, at 785-832-4465 or tharris@gcsaa.org Greg Lyman, GCSAA director of environmental programs, at 785-832-3625 or glyman@gcsaa.org Sandra Donnelly, The Toro Company public relations, commercial business, at 952-887-8566 or sandra.donnlly@toro.com
Contact:
Jeff Bollig, GCSAA director of communications 800-472-7878, ext. 4430 or jbollig@gcsaa.org
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