John Deere announces sponsorship of PGA TOUR player Zach Johnson

MOLINE, Ill., Feb. 18, 2014 /CNW/ - John Deere today announced it has become a corporate sponsor for professional golfer Zach Johnson, the seventh-ranked player in the Official World Golf Rankings. The arrangement further strengthens Deere's commitment to golf by building on its role as a title sponsor of a PGA TOUR event and as the TOUR's official supplier of golf course equipment.

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Beginning with this week's World Golf Championship event in Marana, AZ, the well-known John Deere trademark will be displayed on Johnson's golf bag at all events he plays during the tenure of the multi-year sponsorship deal.

Johnson has won 11 PGA TOUR events including the 2007 Masters. He has also played on three Ryder Cup and three Presidents Cup teams.

"We admire Zach Johnson as a competitor and for the overall values he exemplifies in his life," said James Field, president of Deere's Worldwide Agriculture & Turf Division. "We believe Zach represents the core values for which the John Deere brand is known. He has unquestioned integrity, has displayed great commitment to his profession, family and community, and is one of the highest quality players in the game today."

Field said while the sponsorship has definite business objectives of promoting the John Deere brand name, it also is important to note that a portion of the company's sponsorship goes to the Zach Johnson Foundation, which focuses on children and families in need.

Johnson's relationship with Deere's professional golf tournament is longstanding. He received sponsor exemptions to play in the John Deere Classic both in 2002 and 2003 before he earned a full-time PGA TOUR membership. He won the John Deere Classic in 2012, has been runner-up twice, and has played in the tournament 12 straight years. Johnson also is a member of the tournament's executive committee.

"It is a privilege to represent John Deere, one of the world's most admired companies," said Johnson. "It is a significant responsibility to be entrusted with representing a company known around the world for its strong values. I am sincerely looking forward to it."

Deere & Company (NYSE: DE) is a world leader in providing advanced products and services and is committed to the success of customers whose work is linked to the land - those who cultivate, harvest, transform, enrich and build upon the land. Since 1837, John Deere has delivered innovative products of superior quality built on a tradition of integrity. For more information, visit John Deere at its worldwide website at JohnDeere.com.

SOURCE: Deere & Company

Ken Golden, Director, Global Public Relations, 309-765-5678

http://www.deere.com

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