GCSAA has partnered with John Deere to support the education and professional development of assistant golf course superintendents through GCSAA’s Assistant Superintendent Certificate Series (ASCS).
The ASCS program consists of four certificates that cover 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 education and professional development program hosted by John Deere and Bayer.
“We thank John Deere for supporting our efforts to help assistant superintendents grow their knowledge base and careers,” says GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans. “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.”
Sponsorship of the ASCS program is one of several ways John Deere is providing assistance to GCSAA members in the early phases of their careers. Deere also sponsored the Assistant Superintendent Education Track at the recent 2021 Golf Industry Show, and the company is the longtime sponsor of the GCSAA Collegiate Turf Bowl, in which teams from colleges across the country test their turf knowledge in an annual competition at the Golf Industry Show. John Deere also sponsored the 2021 Golf Industry Show Closing Celebration, during which the results of this year’s Turf Bowl were announced.
In addition, John Deere has renewed its support of the GCSAA student membership program by offering complimentary GCSAA student memberships for students enrolled in or intending to enroll in an eligible turfgrass program or related field of study. GCSAA and John Deere are also collaborating to develop a new initiative that will introduce high school students to golf course equipment manager career opportunities as part of GCSAA’s First Green STEM education program.
“We are proud to support these impactful programs,” says Manny Gan, director of global golf sales and marketing for John Deere. “It is critical for manufacturers like John Deere to invest resources in developing the future leaders of our industry. 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.”
John Deere is a Platinum Partner, the highest level, in GCSAA’s Partner Recognition Program, which provides year-round exposure based on a prescribed level of investment. GCSAA industry partners can choose from the Platinum, Gold or Silver level as a means of achieving certain marketing objectives. Each level provides partners with unique communications and recognition options to position themselves in the marketplace.