Bloomington, Minnesota, United States: Toro has been selected as a turf partner of both Bay Hill Club and Lodge and Latrobe Country Club.

Bay Hill Club in Orlando, Florida, is home to the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard, an elevated PGA Tour event that takes place each March.

Latrobe Country Club, in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, is the course on which the late, great Arnold Palmer learned and honed his game.

“It’s an honour to share our expertise in turf management to build on and maintain the legacy of these two amazing courses and one of the most iconic golf tournaments in the country,” said Grant Young, General Manager of the Commercial Division at The Toro Company, an Executive Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.

“Our proven, high-quality turf maintenance equipment is the perfect fit for both Bay Hill Club & Lodge and Latrobe Country Club,” added Young.

In 1965, Palmer played in (and won) an exhibition match at Bay Hill Club, which had opened in 1961. He fell in love with the property, and by 1975 he owned it. Four years later it began hosting the former Florida Citrus Invitational, which eventually became the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

More than bringing some of the world’s best professional golfers to Orlando each March, the tournament benefits the Arnold & Winnie Palmer Foundation, which works to preserve the legacy of Arnold and Winnie Palmer and continues to make a positive impact in the lives of children and families across the country and beyond.

“Arnold Palmer took great pride in Bay Hill and insisted that the course be kept to the highest standards,” said Chris Flynn, Bay Hill’s Director of Greens.

“In partnering with Toro, we’re confident that we can meet and even exceed our turf management goals, continuing Mr Palmer’s legacy of providing a top-notch experience to members, guests and the best touring pros in the game,” he added.

Palmer was born in the Western Pennsylvania town of Latrobe and raised in a house on the edge of the golf course at Latrobe Country Club, where Arnold’s father, Deacon, was the course superintendent and later its head pro.

Latrobe recently celebrated its 100th anniversary. One notable feature of the club is its 1947 Toro tractor, which became famous in its own right after featuring in a number of advertisements in the 1980s. Deacon, Arnold and others used the tractor to maintain the course at the club, where it remains today, an early example of Toro’s role in the Palmer legacy.

Toro is partnering with distributor Wesco Turf to support Bay Hill Club & Lodge, and with EH Griffith to support Latrobe Country Club.