Bob Wood, president of Nike Golf, has been selected to join The Environmental Institute for Golf’s Advisory Council. The Institute is the philanthropic organization of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA).
Wood has a relationship with The Institute, having joined the board of trustees in 2005. He was elected vice chairman/treasurer in February at The Institute’s winter meeting. Wood will chair the board in 2008 and now also serve on the Advisory Council through 2009. The Institute’s Advisory Council is headed by World Golf Hall of Fame member Greg Norman.
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.
"Bob is an industry leader and has shepherded Nike Golf’s rise to prominence," said Norman, chairman and CEO of Great White Shark Enterprises. "He has already demonstrated those same leadership characteristics with the board of trustees, and will do the same with the Advisory Council. Bob is a welcome addition and will bring The Institute closer to reaching its goals."
Wood joined Nike in 1980 as an advertising project manager, worked his way up through the company’s innovative marketing department, and became president of Nike Golf in 1998. He is responsible for establishing Nike Golf as one of the most desired brands in golf around the world. He helped establish Nike Golf as a successful, stand alone division within Nike. Wood has worked to establish Nike Golf as the most diverse, single brand in golf which offers golfers everything from equipment, balls and clubs to footwear and apparel.
He received the 2002-03 International Network of Golf Industry Award for Business Achievement.
"Nike views corporate responsibility as a catalyst for growth and innovation and has heightened its attention worldwide on key challenges of climate change, poverty and equity," said Wood. "With our vision of contributing to positive change in communities around the world, Nike aims to build deeper consumer and community connections, and to create social and environmental impact in the world. It’s a vision that is similiar to The Environmental Institute for Golf’s mission of strengthening the relationship of golf and the environment. That is why both Nike Golf and myself personally, are pledging our additional support of The Institute."
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.
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 Herb Henkel, Ingersoll-Rand chairman, president and 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 Bob Wood, Nike Golf president, Institute vice chairman/treasurer Weldon Wyatt, Sage Valley Golf Club (Graniteville, S.C.) founder and CEO
Contact:
Jeff Bollig, GCSAA director of communications 800-472-7878, ext. 4430 or jbollig@gcsaa.org
