John Deere Partners with LPGA, LET for Long-Term Agreement
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., and BUCKINGHAMSHIRE, England, Dec. 1, 2020 – The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) today announced a new three-year official marketing partnership with John Deere, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of agriculture, construction, forestry and turf equipment. With the agreement, John Deere becomes the LPGA Tour’s Official Golf Course Equipment Supplier and will support the LPGA Foundation’s efforts to introduce more girls to the game of golf. Additionally, the LET announced a three-year extension to its longstanding partnership with John Deere, which began in 2007.
“We’re excited to welcome John Deere into the LPGA family as our Official Golf Course Equipment Supplier,” said Kelly Hyne, Chief Sales Officer for the LPGA. “We look forward to building upon John Deere’s strong history with the LET and Solheim Cup, bringing experience across both Tours and growing participation in the game of golf.”
Emma Allerton, LET Commercial Director, added, “We too are delighted to be extending our successful partnership with John Deere, continuing to work together towards shared goals and enhancing opportunities across women’s golf.”
John Deere has also signed on as the Official Golf Course Equipment Supplier of the 2021 Solheim Cup at Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio. John Deere will work closely with agronomists for both Tours, with the goal of producing exceptional playing conditions across multiple continents.
“We are incredibly proud to become the Official Golf Course Equipment Supplier to the LPGA,” said Manny Gan, Director Global Golf Sales & Marketing for John Deere. “Through this agreement with the LPGA and the extended agreement with the LET, John Deere equipment will play a key role in providing a great playing experience at top courses around the world, and at the 2021 Solheim Cup.”
Finally, John Deere will support the LPGA Foundation’s Renee Powell Grant, which was established in 2020 to provide need-based grants to LPGA*USGA Girls Golf programs that are inclusive of Black communities as part of their initiatives. Earlier this year, five Girls Golf sites in the greater Toledo/Cleveland area were selected as the inaugural grant recipients. In 2021, participants from these five sites will participate in the Solheim Cup Experience presented by John Deere, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be a special part of the week’s celebration and competition.
The 2021 Solheim Cup will take place Sept. 4-6 at Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio, with USA Captain Pat Hurst and European Captain Catriona Matthew leading their teams of the best professional female golfers in the United States and Europe.
Photo caption
John Deere equipment at work on The PGA Centenary Course during the 2019 Solheim Cup at Gleneagles in Scotland.
About the LPGA
The LPGA is the world’s leading professional golf organization for women. Created in 1950 by 13 Founders, the Association celebrates a diverse and storied history, with more than 2,300 Members representing more than 30 countries. With a vision to inspire, empower, educate and entertain by showcasing the very best of women’s golf, LPGA Tour Professionals compete across the globe. The Symetra Tour, the official development and qualifying tour of the LPGA, consistently produces a pipeline of talent ready for the world stage, The LPGA also holds a joint venture collaboration with the LET, increasing playing opportunities for female golfers in Europe.
The LPGA demonstrates its dedication to the development of the game through the LPGA Foundation. Since 1991, this charitable organization has been committed to empowering and supporting girls and women through developmental, humanitarian and golf community initiatives, including LPGA*USGA Girls Golf, the LPGA Women’s Network and the LPGA Amateur Golf Association. Additionally, LPGA Professionals directly impact the game through teaching, coaching and management.
Follow the LPGA on its television home, Golf Channel, and online at www.LPGA.com. Join the social conversation at www.facebook.com/lpga, www.twitter.com/lpga, www.instagram.com/lpga_tour and www.youtube.com/lpgavideo.
About the LET
Ladies European Golf Venture Limited, the company which operates the LET (Ladies European Tour), is a joint venture collaboration between Ladies European Tour and the Ladies Professional Golf Association, which started on 8 January 2020 and was formed to increase playing opportunities for female golfers in Europe. Its board comprises 12 directors, including LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan, European Tour Chief Executive Keith Pelley, The R&A’s Chief Executive Martin Slumbers and the Chair of the LET, Marta Figueras Dotti. The LET is led by CEO Alexandra Armas.
The 2020 LET season is the 42nd series of golf tournaments since the professional Tour was founded in 1978 and marks the first edition of the Race to Costa Del Sol. The LET Access Series is the official development Tour of the LET, formed to give players an opportunity to compete and progress onto the LET and achieve their dreams in professional golf.
Follow the LET at www.ladieseuropeantour.com and join the social conversation on https://twitter.com/LETgolf, www.facebook.com/LadiesEuropeanTour, Instagram @LETgolf, www.youtube.com/user/ladieseuropeantour and www.flickr.com/photos/ladieseuropeantour/.
About John Deere
Deere & Company (www.JohnDeere.com) is a world leader in providing advanced products, technology and services for customers whose work is revolutionizing agriculture and construction — those who cultivate, harvest, transform, enrich and build upon the land to meet the world’s increasing need for food, fuel, shelter and infrastructure.
About the Solheim Cup
The Solheim Cup combines the tradition and prestige of the game of golf with passion for one’s country and continent. This biennial international match-play competition features the best U.S. players from the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour and the best European players from the Ladies European Tour (LET).
The Solheim Cup is named in honor of Karsten and Louise Solheim, founders of Karsten Manufacturing Corporation, which makes PING golf equipment. In 1990, the Solheim family, in conjunction with the LPGA and the LET, developed the concept and became the title sponsor for the Solheim Cup. The 2021 Global Partners of the Solheim Cup are PING, Rolex and Marathon Petroleum.
Held every two years, the event has grown into the most prestigious international women’s professional golf team event. The 2021 Solheim Cup will be held at Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio, on Sept. 4-6. In 2019, Team Europe took a thrilling 14.5-13.5 victory at Gleneagles in Scotland, a thrilling win that came down to the final putt. Team USA leads Team Europe, 10-6, all-time in Solheim Cup competition.
For more information, visit www.solheimcup.com.