Toro Hosts Ohio State University Turfgrass Students at Memorial Tournament

Students Enjoy Golf, Hospitality & Meeting With Jack Nicklaus

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (June 26, 2009) -When Toro hosted five dozen future golf course professionals from Ohio State University during the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club in central Ohio, the students not only enjoyed a great view of the golf action, but also had an unforgettable meeting with legendary golfer and course designer Jack Nicklaus.

Toro invited OSU students and their instructors to use a hospitality area overlooking the 14th green during the tournament’s third round on Saturday, June 6. Students pursuing majors in turfgrass science and professional golf management enjoyed the action, and took in a fascinating discussion with Nicklaus, who helped design the course and won 18 PGA TOUR majors.

“We thought we were just going to have a group photo taken with him,” said Dr. Karl Danneberger, OSU professor of Horticulture & Crop Science. “When we were getting ready to leave, he said ‘stay where you are,’ and talked with us for 20 or 30 minutes. He asked the kids questions and told us a lot of very interesting things about golf course design. He didn’t ever talk about his playing career. He was more concerned about what the kids were into and what they wanted to do. He asked them questions and was very gracious. He was just a nice guy.”

Philip Burkart, vice president of Toro’s Irrigation Businesses said the company wanted future golf course professionals to see the course and event from the fans’ perspective.  “We felt it would be most beneficial for these students to see a tournament from a viewpoint different than the internal, working side where their careers will take them,” said Burkart. “Their meeting with Jack Nicklaus, an OSU alum, and an impressive group of some of the best in the industry, made the visit even more special. We enjoy strong relationships with staff and students in turf science programs at OSU and numerous other schools across the country.”

Following the event, Danneberger commented that students from OSU were very grateful to Toro for the opportunity to attend the Memorial Tournament and all Toro does for the university’s horticulture & crop science programs.

“Toro has always supported the turf programs with equipment donations through Century Equipment, the Toro distributor in this area,” the professor said. “Every year Toro provides us with a significant amount of (mowing and irrigation) equipment to help teach students and maintain our research facility. Plus, Toro always provides people from their staff for educational purposes, whether it’s to put on clinics or have people come in and hold a week-long irrigation school over spring break.

“Also, Toro has endowed the Toro Jack Nicklaus Scholarship Fund, which provides a scholarship to an incoming freshman in the turf program who has a family member in the industry.”

During tournament weekend, Toro also hosted young Ohio golf enthusiasts participating in The First Tee program.

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 $1.9 billion in fiscal 2008, Toro’s global presence extends to more than 140 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.