Lawrence, Kansas, United States: The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) has partnered with John Deere to support the education and professional growth of assistant golf course superintendents through GCSAA’s Assistant Superintendent Certificate Series (ASCS).

The ASCS programme is composed of four certificates covering the key competency areas of agronomy, business, leadership and communications and environmental stewardship.

As part of its sponsorship, John Deere will award gift certificates to the first 100 assistants who complete all four competencies, and all assistants who complete the full series will be accepted into Green Start Academy, an annual educational programme hosted by John Deere and Bayer, both Executive Members of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.

“We thank John Deere for supporting our efforts to help assistant superintendents grow their knowledge base and careers,” said Rhett Evans, the GCSAA’s CEO.

“John Deere knows the vital contribution that superintendents make to golf and how helping them at every stage of their careers advances the industry and enhances the enjoyment of the game for everyone,” added Evans.

The support for the ASCS programme is one of the many ways that John Deere is helping GCSAA members in the early phases of their careers.

Deere also sponsored the Assistant Superintendent Education Track at the 2021 Golf Industry Show and are the long-time sponsors of the GCSAA Collegiate Turf Bowl, where college teams from around the country showcase their skills during the annual competition at GIS.  

John Deere also sponsored the 2021 GIS Closing Celebration where the Turf Bowl results were announced.

In addition, John Deere has renewed its support of the GCSAA Student Membership Programme by offering complimentary GCSAA student memberships for students enrolled in, or intending to enrol in, full-time eligible turfgrass or related programmes.

The two organisations are also working together on developing a new initiative to introduce high school students to the golf course equipment manager career opportunities as part of GCSAA’s First Green STEM education programme.

“We are proud to support these impactful programmes. It is critical for manufacturers like John Deere to invest resources in developing the future leaders of our industry,” said Manny Gan, Director, Global Golf Sales and Marketing, John Deere.

“As a long-standing partner of the GCSAA, we know the importance of what they do for the golf community, and we are committed to helping further their reach to current and future turfgrass professionals,” added Gan.

John Deere is a Platinum Partner, the highest level, in GCSAA’s Partner Recognition Programme. GCSAA’s Partner Recognition Programme provides year-round exposure based on a prescribed level of investment.