Bayer CropScience Presents Two GCSAA Member Superintendents With Plant Health Scholarships

December 1, 2014

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. (Dec. 2, 2014) – To support GCSAA member superintendents with new opportunities to advance their careers and the field of plant health, Environmental Science, a division of Bayer CropScience LP, today announced the selection of two Plant Health Scholarship recipients. Michael Scully, GCSAA Class A superintendent at Valley Crest Creekside Golf Course in Modesto, Calif., and Daniel L. Rootes, Jr., GCSAA superintendent member at Ponderosa Butte Golf Course in Colstrip, Mont., will each be awarded a $2,500 scholarship to be used toward continuing education in the area of plant health. The Plant Health Scholarship is one of multiple opportunities available to superintendents as part of the Healthy Turf, Healthy Tomorrow program Bayer developed in collaboration with the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) and the Environmental Institute for Golf (EIFG).

“The Plant Health Scholarship provides superintendents with an opportunity to pursue their passions in plant health, while also helping to advance the turfgrass industry,” said David Wells, golf business manager for Bayer’s turf and ornamentals (T&O) business. “Our hope is that the scholarship will give Michael and Dan the tools to learn about the latest plant health innovations, help them solve challenges they may be facing on their own courses and equip them for the future.”

Scully has over 20 years of experience in golf course management and operation and serves as secretary/treasurer for the Sierra Nevada GCSAA. When he’s not busy running his 45 holes of golf, he also heads the Rounds 4 Research committee for the Sierra Nevada GCSAA and the Northern California GCSAA. As an environmental advocate, this year Michael gained certification recognition within Audubon's Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf and was engaged as a participant of the water conservation task force for Northern California. He also remains an avid hobby beekeeper. Michael will apply the scholarship to attend the 2015 Golf Industry show in San Antonio, Tex.

“It is a great honor to be selected as one of the two Healthy Turf, Healthy Tomorrow Plant Health Scholarship recipients,” said Scully. “I look forward to gaining new tools to improve the quality of plant turf at my own courses and am committed to bringing many global ideas back to my association and to my courses.”

Rootes has served as a superintendent in Colstrip, Mont., for the past eight years, following military service in the Army. He is an active member of the GCSAA Peaks & Prairies chapter, with three years of service on the chapter Board of Directors, and he serves as chapter secretary/treasurer representing Montana, Idaho, Wyoming and North Dakota. Through the Bayer Superintendent Grant Program, Rootes was also selected as one of eight members of the GCSAA to receive an all-expenses paid trip to the 2013 GCSAA Education Conference and Golf Industry Show in San Diego.

“Any education you can gain to help achieve your professional goals is priceless,” said Rootes. “I’m planning to use the scholarship to work toward achieving certification, and so appreciate the support I receive from organizations like Bayer and GCSAA.”

About Healthy Turf, Healthy Tomorrow

To fund Healthy Turf, Healthy Tomorrow, Bayer invests a percentage of StressGard™ Formulation Technology (FT) product sales each year for three years – a minimum commitment of $300,000. Funds generated through the program will also be 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®,
Chipco® Signature™, Fiata® StressGard and Mirage® StressGard. StressGard Formulation Technology helps fortify natural plant defenses and promote plant growth. To learn more about StressGard FT and other Bayer solutions, please visit www.BackedByBayer.com.

For more information visit www.BackedbyBayer.com.

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Bayer CropScience is committed to bringing new technology and solutions for agriculture and non- agricultural uses. For questions concerning the availability and use of products, contact a local Bayer CropScience representative, or visit Bayer CropScience online at www.bayercropscience.us.


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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 8,819 million (2013) 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 22,400 and is represented in more than 120 countries. This and further news is available at: www.press.bayercropscience.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.

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.

Contact:
Bayer CropScience Media Hotline, 1-862-404-5118, or

Ciara Ahern
Global Prairie
Tel: (216) 374-1274
Email: ciara.ahern@global-prairie.com

Casey Allen
Manager of External Communications
Bayer CropScience LP
Tel: (919) 549-2607
Email: casey.allen@bayer.com

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