Toro attains GCSAA Platinum Partner status
Toro representatives from Kansas City’s regional office delivered new equipment at GCSAA’s national headquarters in Lawrence, Kan., to celebrate 80 years of partnership and the beginning of the GCSAA Partner Recognition Program
Celebrating 80 years of partnership with the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), The Toro Co. has further pledged its support of GCSAA and its members by becoming the first company to participate in the association’s Partner Recognition Program. Toro will invest resources at the program’s highest level – Platinum.
"We are proud to recognize that Toro is the first client to commit to the GCSAA Partner Recognition Program," said GCSAA CEO Steve Mona, CAE. "These resources are invested for the benefit of GCSAA’s stakeholders — member superintendents, their facilities and the golf course management profession. The investments do not go to stockholders in the form of dividends or profits. They are put to work to develop education programs, conduct research, offer career resources, create information resources and develop tools to assist our members. Without the support of industry, GCSAA would not have the ability to provide resources to the benefit of its members and their employers. That is why we call our friends in the industry ‘partners.’ We are appreciative of Toro’s support, and I know our members are as well."
GCSAA’s Partner Recognition Program provides year-round exposure based on a prescribed level of investment. GCSAA industry partners can choose among Platinum, Gold and Silver levels as a means to achieve marketing objectives. Each level provides partners unique communications and recognition options to position themselves in the marketplace. Vehicles in the program include the Golf Industry Show, GCSAA Education Conference, Golf Course Management magazine, media communications, and GCSAA.org. Additional opportunities for exposure within GCSAA membership, committees, chapters, career services and others exist as well.
The program offers industry partners strategic, diverse and ongoing communication with members. Components of the program were developed based on feedback from industry. Among the most revealing findings was that 82 percent of golf course superintendents are more likely to purchase from a company that supports GCSAA. The association’s primary communications vehicles are the most read in the industry and are considered by industry as the cornerstone of its marketing activities. Among the other features that companies desired in their marketing mix were to maximize year-round visibility, secure proprietary options and to engage in philanthropy in a strategic manner by supporting The Environmental Institute for Golf.
Toro is a long-time supporter of GCSAA, cultivating a relationship with the association for 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 has sponsored the annual GCSAA National Championship and Golf Classic for the last 13 years and has agreed to sponsor the event through 2013. Toro has funded the first four 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.
To symbolize appreciation for 80 years of business, Toro recently donated a Z558/Z560 Commercial Series Z-mower with 60-inch turbo force deck, a Workman 2110 utility vehicle, and a PT21 Trim Mower to the GCSAA headquarters facility in Lawrence, Kan.
"We’ve been in business with GCSAA and its members for a long time," said Michael Happe, managing director of commercial equipment business for Toro and member of The Institute’s Advisory Council. "This is not only a sign of our appreciation, but it’s also very important to us that when golf course superintendents visit their association’s national headquarters, they see grounds that are well maintained, using Toro equipment. Along those same lines, by joining GCSAA’s Partner Recognition Program, we feel we can align ourselves even better with its members, our most loyal customers."
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:
Mark Bisbing, GCSAA director of corporate marketing and sales, at 800-472-7878, ext. 5150 or mbisbing@gcsaa.org
Sandra Donnelly, The Toro Co. public relations, commercial business, at 952-887-8566 or sandra.donnelly@toro.com
