Perfect Partners

John Deere and the Ladies European Tour (LET) extended their original patron agreement at the end of 2009 for two more years, during which Deere will be designated the Tour's official supplier of golf course machinery.

The company will also be an official industry partner of The 2011 Solheim Cup match between the women's professional teams from the US and Europe (captained for the second time in succession by Alison Nicholas), which will take place at Killeen Castle in Ireland; this new partnership agreement also covers the newly established AIB Ladies Irish Open, supported by Fáilte Ireland, in 2010, 2011 & 2012, and The 2011 PING Junior Solheim Cup.

Through the Ladies European Tour agreement, LET tournaments will be supported by John Deere equipment and irrigation products through the company's European golf dealer network. Deere officials will also continue to work closely with the LET's agronomists, with the goal of helping to produce better quality playing surfaces.

"The Ladies European Tour is pleased to extend its relationship with John Deere, which has been an excellent partner," said Mark Casey, director of operations for the LET and director of The Solheim Cup. "We know the enduring strength of the John Deere brand is based on the quality of its products and customer service, and the Ladies European Tour and The Solheim Cup are proud to be associated with it."

Jon Chase, Deere & Company's director of sales and marketing for turf products in Europe, added: "We are very pleased to have added The 2011 Solheim Cup, AIB Ladies Irish Open and The 2011 PING Junior Solheim Cup to what has already been a fruitful relationship with the Ladies European Tour. John Deere is also very proud of its longstanding relationship with the US PGA Tour, and is confident its relationship with the LET will continue to grow."

Alison Nicholas is pictured with The Solheim Cup trophy at the BTME 2010 trade exhibition at Harrogate, where the new partnership announcement was made today (Tuesday 19th January). "As the Ladies European Tour schedule expands, it's great to have such a good partner in John Deere supporting our efforts to grow the women's game," said Alison. "I'm also very excited by the challenge of captaining the European team again at The Solheim Cup at the wonderful Killeen Castle course in 2011. I'm very confident in my team and our ability to regain the trophy next year."

Website: www.johndeere.co.uk