St. Augustine, Fla. (Aug. 1, 2011) – The Toro Company, the official supplier of turf maintenance equipment and precision irrigation systems for The First Tee, has donated new and used equipment worth $36,000 to chapters of The First Tee.
“The First Tee is proud to have The Toro Company as a valued partner and is grateful for their generous donations,” said Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., chief executive of The First Tee. “Their longtime support has been of great benefit to our chapters and participants, who are positively impacted by the character education taught by The First Tee.”
“We understand the importance of a well maintained golf course and how it enhances the playing experience,” said Judson McNeil with the Toro Giving Program. “Strongly rooted in the industry, we are committed to growing the game and helping our golf customers in their maintenance efforts. We are extremely proud of our long-standing relationship with The First Tee, and pleased to assist local chapters with the donation of equipment.”
Three chapters—The First Tee of Monterey County, The First Tee of Metropolitan New York and The First Tee of Philadelphia—are each receiving donated turf equipment to help maintain their chapters’ learning facilities and golf course operations. This is the eighth year Toro has donated equipment to chapters of The First Tee.
Additionally, Toro partners with The First Tee and Walt Disney World Resort to host the Future Leaders Forum, a three-day immersion in the sport, business and science of golf for 50 high school students from across the country. The 2011 Future Leaders Forum is taking place Oct. 20-23 at Walt Disney World in Orlando.
For more information about The First Tee, visit www.thefirsttee.org. For more information about Toro, visit www.toro.com.
About The First Tee
The First Tee (www.thefirsttee.org), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth development organization whose mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf. With its home office at World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Fla., The First Tee reaches young people on golf courses, in schools and on military installations.
Since its inception in 1997, The First Tee has introduced the game of golf and its values to more than 4.7 million participants in all 50 United States and six international locations. The First Tee is an initiative of the World Golf Foundation and its Founding Partners are LPGA, the Masters Tournament, PGA of America, PGA TOUR and the USGA. President George W. Bush serves as honorary chair.
About The Toro Company
The Toro Company (NYSE: TTC) is a leading worldwide provider of turf and landscape maintenance equipment, and precision irrigation systems. With sales of nearly $1.7 billion in fiscal 2010, Toro’s global presence extends to more than 80 countries through its reputation of world-class service, innovation and turf expertise. Since 1914, the company has built a tradition of excellence around a number of strong brands to help customers care for golf courses, sports fields, public green spaces, commercial and residential properties, and agricultural fields. More information is available at www.toro.com.
