June 18, 2015 – – John Deere Golf and Environmental Science, a division of Bayer CropScience LP, today announced the application process for the 10th Annual Green Start Academy (GSA) is now open. Assistant superintendents in the U.S. and Canada looking to further advance their careers; hone their skills in critical areas, including labor management and budgeting; and network with prominent professionals in the field are encouraged to apply.
The 10th Anniversary of Green Start Academy will take place dually at the Bayer Development and Training Center in Clayton, N.C., and the John Deere Turf Care factory in nearby Fuquay-Varina, on Oct. 7-9. Those in attendance will meet with fellow professionals and gain valuable insights from top industry leaders. Fifty assistant superintendents will be selected as participants and will receive an all-expense-paid trip to attend the highly regarded event.
“Since 2005, Green Start Academy has provided assistant superintendents with the tools to advance their careers and highlight their commitment to ongoing professional development,” said Ren Wilkes, marketing manager for John Deere Golf. “Through programs like Green Start Academy, John Deere can help support the ongoing success of promising assistant superintendents who represent the future of the golf industry.”
Assistant superintendents interested in attending should complete the online application, which also includes submitting a resume and cover letter.
“It has been exciting to witness the evolution of GSA over the years, but one constant remains true,” said David Wells, golf business manager for the Bayer turf and ornamentals business. “The high quality applicants – all committed to the game of golf and to advancing their careers – continue to inspire Bayer’s ongoing commitment to elevate and equip the next generation of leaders to succeed and grow the industry.”
Consideration is given to all applicants, representing every type of club and course. An independent panel of golf industry experts will select the 50 highest-ranked applicants. Those who are selected to attend will be notified by mid-August. Individuals who are not selected will have the opportunity to take advantage of a professional resume review and critique.
The 2015 GSA judging panel includes:
• Chris Condon, Golf Course Superintendent, Tetherow Golf Club
• Jeff Corcoran, Manager, Golf Courses & Grounds, Oak Hill Country Club
• Chris Dew, Superintendent, The National Golf Club of Canada
• Bob Farren, CGCS, Director of Golf Courses and Grounds, Pinehurst Resort
• Pat Finlen, CGCS, General Manager, The Olympic Club
• Lukus Harvey, Director of Agronomy, Atlanta Athletic Club
• Bryan Stromme, Regional Director of Agronomy, Midwest, Billy Casper Golf
• Billy Weeks, Golf Superintendent, Duke University Golf Club
Assistant superintendents interested in applying, or gathering more information, should visit http://www.backedbybayer.com/golf-course-management/green-start-academy.
About John Deere
Deere & Company (NYSE: DE) is a world leader in providing advanced products and services and is committed to the success of customers whose work is linked to the land – those who cultivate, harvest, transform, enrich and build upon the land to meet the world’s dramatically increasing need for food, fuel, shelter and infrastructure. Since 1837, John Deere has delivered innovative products of superior quality built on a tradition of integrity. For more information, visit John Deere at its worldwide website at www.JohnDeere.com.
About Bayer CropScience
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the fields of health care, agriculture and high-tech materials. Bayer CropScience, the subgroup of Bayer AG responsible for the agricultural business, has annual sales of EUR 9,494 million (2014) and is one of the world’s leading innovative crop science companies in the areas of seeds, crop protection and non-agricultural pest control. The company offers an outstanding range of products including high value seeds, innovative crop protection solutions based on chemical and biological modes of action as well as an extensive service backup for modern, sustainable agriculture. In the area of non-agricultural applications, Bayer CropScience has a broad portfolio of products and services to control pests from home and garden to forestry applications. The company has a global workforce of 23,100 and is represented in more than 120 countries. This and further news is available at: www.press.bayercropscience.com.
