Bayer CropScience Announces Plant Health Scholarship Recipients

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. (Jan. 15, 2014) – As part of its commitment to the advancement of plant health research and education in the turf care industry, Environmental Science, a division of Bayer CropScience LP, today announced the selection of two Plant Health Scholarship recipients. Michael K. McNamara, GCSAA Class A superintendent, TPC Prestancia, Sarasota, Fla., and John Petrovsky, GCSAA Class SM superintendent, Greenbriar Woodlands Golf Club, Toms River, N.J., will each receive a $2,500 scholarship to be used toward continuing education in the area of plant health. The Plant Health Scholarship is one of four educational 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’s (GCSAA’s) Environmental Institute for Golf (EIFG).

“Our aim with the Plant Health Scholarship is to equip superintendents with the knowledge and tools to address some of their greatest challenges,” said David Wells, golf business manager for Bayer’s turf and ornamentals (T&O) business. “Michael and John show a clear passion for turfgrass science and continuing education, which they feel is the best resource available to help them meet course expectations and the challenges of an increasingly complex industry.”

McNamara, who recently began a new position as superintendent at TPC Prestancia, plans to use the funds to attend the educational coursework offered by GCSAA at the 2014 Golf Industry Show in Orlando, Fla. He has worked in the turf industry for 20 years and has participated in many industry advancement programs, including Bayer’s and John Deere’s Green Start Academy. He has also been the recipient of numerous GCSAA and other industry scholarships and awards. McNamara has accumulated more than 450 hours of continuing education from seminars and webinars, and is certified in Green Industries Best Management Practices (BMPs) and Golf Industry BMPs. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Turfgrass Science from Penn State University.

“Continuing education is vital as a superintendent in order to stay current and be successful in an evolving industry with rapidly-changing technologies,” said McNamara. “I’m honored by this award and appreciate the opportunity, from Bayer and GCSAA, to further my professional development at the 2014 Golf Industry Show.”

Petrovsky, superintendent at Greenbriar Woodlands Golf Club, has worked in the industry for 10 years. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Turfgrass Science at Penn State University, and plans to use the Plant Health Scholarship to help fund his full-time coursework. He is an active member of GCSAA and the GCSA of New Jersey. Petrovsky also volunteers his time to support events in his region, such as The Barclays and the PGA TOUR FedExCup.

“Having worked my way up in the industry with no formal education in agronomy, it means a lot to me to be able to go back and gain the additional knowledge that will help me fill any gaps and grow to the next level,” said Petrovsky. “You can become very good at your job as a superintendent through experience, but there’s no replacement for formal education.”

About Healthy Turf, Healthy Tomorrow

The Plant Health Scholarship is part of Healthy Turf, Healthy Tomorrow, a multi-faceted initiative aimed at advancing plant health research and education for superintendents to help ensure the health of their courses, and the industry, for the future. In addition to scholarships, the Healthy Turf, Healthy Tomorrow program includes plant health-related webinars, demonstration courses and the Plant Health Academy.

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 over three years. Funds generated through the program also help support the mission of the EIFG. StressGard FT is a technology now featured in four Bayer fungicides, including Tartan®, Chipco Triton® Flo, Interface®, and Chipco® Signature™. It helps fortify natural plant defenses and promote plant growth. To learn more about StressGard FT and other Bayer solutions, please visit www.BackedByBayer.com.

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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 8,383 million (2012) 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 20,800 (Dec 31, 2012) 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.

Contact:
Bayer CropScience Media Hotline, 1-877-879-6162, or

Beth Roden
Head of Communications & Bayer CropScience NA Coordinator
Bayer CropScience
Tel: (919) 549-2030
Email: beth(dot)roden(at)bayer(dot)com

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

Press release number: USA-BCS-2014-0012

Find more information at www.bayercropscience.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.

©2013 Bayer CropScience LP, 2 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. Always read and follow label instructions. Bayer, the Bayer Cross, Tartan, Chipco, Triton, Interface and Signature are registered trademarks of Bayer. For additional product information call toll-free 1-866-99-BAYER (1-866-992-2937) or visit our website at www.BayerCropScience.us.