Toro extends GCSAA tournament sponsorship
The Toro Co. has extended its sponsorship of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) National Championship and Golf Classic through 2013.
The tournament is a three-day, 580-person event for GCSAA members, held at five golf courses in conjunction with the association’s annual education conference and Golf Industry Show. Toro, a global leader in providing maintenance equipment and irrigation systems to golf courses, has been the sole partner of this event since 1995. Not only does Toro support the tournament financially, but it brings a team of representatives to work alongside the GCSAA staff, providing a first-class event.
"We are very appreciative of Toro’s continued support of the GCSAA National Championship and Golf Classic, as well as the association and The Environmental Institute for Golf," said GCSAA Chief Executive Officer Steve Mona. "Toro’s signing on for five more years demonstrates a valuable commitment to our members and their success."
Toro is a long-time supporter of GCSAA, cultivating a relationship with the association for more than 80 years. It 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. Toro 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 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 future educators and researchers of the turfgrass industry also are funded by Toro through The Institute. Toro advertises in GCSAA’s official publication, Golf Course Management magazine, exhibits at the Golf Industry Show and participates in the Golf Industry Show Silent Auction.
"The GCSAA Tournament is a tremendous opportunity for superintendents to enjoy some time together, both enjoying the game of golf but also learning from each other," said Michael Happe, managing director of commercial equipment business for Toro and member of The Institute’s Advisory Council. "With such a long and mutually beneficial relationship with GCSAA and The Institute, Toro looks at the GCSAA National Championship and Golf Classic as a solid investment in a group of very important customers and a way for us to say thank you."
Tournament registration and housing is now open for the 2008 GCSAA National Championship and Golf Classic presented in partnership with The Toro Co. The Caribe Royale Orlando All-Suites Hotel and Convention Center will host the event, along with five Orlando golf courses. The tournament is a prelude to the 2008 GCSAA Education Conference (Jan. 28-Feb. 2) and 2008 Golf Industry Show (Jan. 31-Feb. 2), held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.
The format of events allows players to select the competition that best suits their game. Accomplished golfers will test themselves against GCSAA’s finest in the National Championship, Jan. 27-29 at Ginn Reunion Resort’s Independence Course. For a more relaxed competition, the popular Golf Classic welcomes players of all abilities. It will be played Jan. 28-29 at Orange County National’s Panther Lake and Crooked Cat courses and Grand Cypress Resort’s New and North-South courses. The Golf Classic also includes a fun Four-Ball on Jan. 27 before the competition tees up.
The National Championship is limited to the first 100 players with a 5.0 handicap index or less. It is a three-day, 54-hole, stroke-play event. The Golf Classic is limited to the first 480 players with handicap indexes from 0-36, participating in 10 flights. Golf Classic participants will compete in both gross and net competition within their respective flights using the point quota scoring system. Participants can also opt into the Chapter Team Competition to see which GCSAA-affiliated chapter holds the best golfers.
The Toro Co. (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 Co. is headquartered at 8111 Lyndale Avenue in Bloomington, Minn. Visit the company Web site at www.thetorocompany.com.
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. The association’s philanthropic organization, The Environmental Institute for Golf, works to strengthen the compatibility of golf with the natural environment through research grants, support for education programs and outreach efforts. Visit GCSAA at www.gcsaa.org.
Contact:
Jeff Bollig, GCSAA director of communications
800-472-7878, ext. 4430 or jbollig@gcsaa.org
