John Deere Golf will partner with the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America to present the 16th Annual Collegiate Turf Bowl Competition at the 2010 GCSAA Education Conference in San Diego, Thursday, Feb. 11.
The Collegiate Turf Bowl Competition engages university teams of up to four undergraduate students in areas of mathematics, turfgrass growth and development, and identification of soils, diseases, weeds, insects and turfgrass species. It is held from 8-11:30 a.m., and is facilitated by Leah Brilman, Ph.D., of the Turfgrass Breeders Association. The exam also focuses on the business and financial management side of the golf course superintendent's profession. Winners will be announced during the Student/Superintendent Networking Reception, which is also presented in partnership with John Deere Golf, from 6:15-7 p.m., later that day. Cash prizes will be awarded to the universities representing the top performing teams.
"The GCSAA Collegiate Turf Bowl Competition is one of the great traditions of the annual GCSAA Education Conference," GCSAA President Mark D. Kuhns, CGCS, said. "It provides a stage for some of the brightest students in the collegiate turfgrass programs to showcase their expertise and knowledge. These students are the lifeblood and the future of our association. Thanks to the support of John Deere Golf, we are able to enhance the event this year for the students in San Diego."
The cash prizes include:
* 1st place - $4,000
* 2nd place - $2,000
* 3rd place - $1,000
* 4th place - $800
* 5th place - $700
* 6th-10th - $300 each
A longtime GCSAA supporter, John Deere Golf is a Platinum Partner in GCSAA's Partner Recognition Program and is also recognized at the Champion's Club level of The Environmental Institute for Golf's (GCSAA's philanthropic organization) cumulative giving program of organizations that have contributed between $250,000 and $499,999 since 1987. Gregg Breningmeyer, John Deere Golf group director of sales and marketing, represents the company on The Institute's Advisory Council.
"GCSAA member golf course superintendents are among our most loyal customers and we value their education," Breningmeyer said. "The GCSAA Collegiate Turf Bowl Competition is a wonderful opportunity for us to support some real up-and-comers in the industry each year at the GCSAA Education Conference."
The GCSAA Education Conference (Feb. 8-12), held in conjunction with the Golf Industry Show (Feb 10-11), is the largest educational conference in the turfgrass management industry. More than 95 seminars and 40 additional hours of educational sessions are offered at the 2010 event, covering all ranges of golf course management, including agronomics, environmental management, communication and business management.
John Deere (Deere & Company - NYSE: DE) is the world's leading provider of advanced products and services for agriculture and forestry and a major provider of advanced products and services for construction, lawn and turf care, landscaping and irrigation. John Deere also provides financial services worldwide and manufactures and markets engines used in heavy equipment. Since it was founded in 1837, the company has extended its heritage of integrity, quality, commitment and innovation around the globe. Visit www.johndeeregolf.com and booth 1121 at the Golf Industry Show for more information.
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 20,000 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.
For more information contact:
Shari Koehler, GCSAA director of professional development, at skoehler@gcsaa.org or 800-472-7878
McGavock Edwards, APR, IMRE Communications, at mcgavocke@imre.com or 410-821-8220
