Bayer Announces Plant Health Scholarship Recipients
January 27, 2016
Two GCSAA Member Superintendents Awarded $2,500 to Advance Education in Plant Health
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. (Jan. 28, 2016) – Environmental Science, a division of Crop Science, a division of Bayer, today announced the selection of two Plant Health Scholarship recipients as part of an ongoing commitment to the advancement of plant health research and education in the turf care industry. Each recipient will receive a $2,500 scholarship to be used toward continuing education in the area of plant health. The Plant Health Scholars include: Leslie A. Carpenter, Jr., GCSAA Class A superintendent, Newton Country Club, Newton, N.J.; and Terry Negen, GCSAA Class A superintendent, Marshall Golf Club, Marshall, Minn.
As one of four educational opportunities available to superintendents as part of the Healthy Turf, Healthy Tomorrow program, the Plant Health Scholarship was developed by Bayer in collaboration with Environmental Institute for Golf (EIFG), the non-profit arm of Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA). The Healthy Turf, Healthy Tomorrow program is a multi-faceted initiative aimed at advancing plant health research and education for superintendents and, in turn, the industry.
“The Plant Health Scholarship is a multi-year commitment by Bayer and EIFG to encourage continuing education and promote best practices around plant health,” said David Wells, golf business manager for Bayer’s turf and ornamentals (T&O) business. “As this year’s Plant Health Scholars, we are thrilled to honor Les Carpenter and Terry Negen, both of whom have demonstrated lasting dedication to improving plant health conditions on their courses.”
Carpenter serves as secretary on the Executive Board of Golf Course Superintendents Association of New Jersey as well as various committees. A second-generation superintendent serving his 30th season at Newton Golf Club, Carpenter is also a GCSAA ambassador, this year’s recipient of the Environmental Stewardship Award (New Jersey Turfgrass Association) and alum of the 2015 Melrose Leadership Academy (EIFG). With funds from the Plant Health Scholarship, Carpenter plans to attend educational seminars offered by GCSAA at the 2016 Golf Industry Show in San Diego, Calif.
“Newton is a modest golf course, but we’re one of just 30 Certified Audubon Cooperatives in New Jersey. With natural areas, bears, coyotes and turkeys, we have been certified since 1998 and will be recertified for the eighth time this year,” Carpenter said. “What I find most valuable about GIS is learning from other guys and many of the seminars regarding plant health chemicals. I’m looking forward to attending a show again.”
Negen has worked more than 22 years in the golf business, the past 15 of which have been as a head superintendent. Last year marked his third year at Marshall Golf Club in Minnesota. He is currently working toward becoming a Certified Golf Course Superintendent (CGCS) and is roughly 60 hours into the certification process. An active member of GCSAA and a nine-year member of the Minnesota GCSA, Negen plans to attend educational seminars at GIS with funds from the Plant Health Scholarship.
“I’m really interested in the seminars on plant growth regulators, increasing greens speed, best management practices and budget constraints,” Negen said. “Networking with other superintendents at GIS is a great opportunity.”
About Healthy Turf, Healthy Tomorrow
To fund Healthy Turf, Healthy Tomorrow, Bayer has invested a percentage of Stressgard® Formulation Technology (FT) product sales each year – a minimum commitment of $300,000 since 2013. Funds generated through the program are dedicated to the EIFG to support research, education, advocacy and scholarship initiatives executed by GCSAA.
Bayer has been developing products with plant health attributes for nearly 20 years, starting with the origin of Stressgard FT, a technology now featured in Bayer fungicides including Tartan®, Interface®,
Signature™ XTRA Stressgard, Fiata® Stressgard and Mirage® Stressgard. Stressgard Formulation Technology helps fortify natural plant defenses and promote plant growth.
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Bayer: Science For A Better Life
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the Life Science fields of health care and agriculture. Its products and services are designed to benefit people and improve their quality of life. At the same time, the Group aims to create value through innovation, growth and high earning power. Bayer is committed to the principles of sustainable development and to its social and ethical responsibilities as a corporate citizen. In fiscal 2014, the Group employed around 119,000 people and had sales of EUR 42.2 billion. Capital expenditures amounted to EUR 2.5 billion, R&D expenses to EUR 3.6 billion. These figures include those for the high-tech polymers business, which was floated on the stock market as an independent company named Covestro on October 6, 2015. For more information, go to www.bayer.com.About the EIFG
The EIFG is the philanthropic organization of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, and has as its mission to foster sustainability through research, awareness, education, programs and scholarships for the benefit of golf course management professionals, golf facilities and the game. With respect for the game and the environment, the EIFG inspires environmental, social and economic progress through golf for the benefit of communities. Collaboration between the golf industry, environmental interests and communities will lead to programs and services beneficial to all who come into contact with the game of golf. Visit the EIFG at www.eifg.org.
About GCSAA
GCSAA is a leading golf organization and has as its focus golf course management. Since 1926, GCSAA has been the top professional association for the men and women who manage golf courses in the United States and worldwide. From its headquarters in Lawrence, Kan., the association provides education, information and representation to nearly 18,000 members in more than 72 countries. GCSAA's mission is to serve its members, advance their profession and enhance the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf. Find GCSAA on Facebook, follow GCSAA on Twitter, and visit GCSAA at www.gcsaa.org.Contact:
Bayer Media Hotline, 1-862-404-5118, or
Casey Allen
Manager of External Communications
Crop Science, a Division of Bayer
Tel: (919) 549-2607
Email: casey.allen@bayer.com
Caroline Pratt
Global Prairie
Tel: (216) 453-5709
Email: caroline.pratt@global-prairie.com
Find more information at CropScience.Bayer.us.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group or subgroup management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer’s public reports which are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.Bayer CropScience LP, Environmental Science Division, 2 TW Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. 1-800-331-2867. www.backedbybayer.com. Bayer (reg'd), the Bayer Cross (reg'd), Stressgard®, Tartan®, Interface®, Signature™, Fiata® and Mirage® are trademarks of Bayer. Not all products are registered in all states. Always read and follow label directions. ©2016 Bayer CropScience LP.
