“I am very proud of my long-standing
association with the Textron family of
companies — Jacobsen, E-Z-GO and Cessna,”
Palmer said. “I have enjoyed working with the
various companies for many years and remain
a Textron fan because of the unmatched
innovation and quality of its equipment as
well as top-notch service. All of those
qualities are extremely important to me when
I purchase equipment or make
recommendations to my golf course design
clients and no one does it better.”
The 18 holes of the combined Challenger and
Champion courses at the Bay Hill Club and
Lodge play 7,205 yards with a par of 72. The
course has a rating is 75.1, a slope rating of
139, and features beautifully maintained
Bermuda grass. Designed by Dick Wilson and
Arnold Palmer, the Challenger-Champion golf
course opened in 1963, and is showcased each
spring during the Arnold Palmer Invitational,
one of the most popular stops for the PGA
TOUR®.
The 6,407 yard, par 72 Latrobe course at the
Latrobe Country Club was designed by Emil
Loeffler, John McGlynn and James G.
Harrison, opening in 1922. It is located 40
miles east of Pittsburgh, Pa., in the scenic
Laurel Highlands. The course rating is 72.4
with a slope rating of 138. Palmer’s father
worked at the club during the construction
phase and became the course superintendent
in 1926 and the club professional in 1931.
Today, the club is managed by Palmer’s
younger brother, Jerry.
E-Z-GO, also a Textron Inc. Company, has an
exclusivity agreement with Arnold Palmer
Enterprises as well and supplies each of these
facilities with golf cars. Palmer’s preference
for Textron manufacturing goes beyond his
love of the game of golf. He also flies high in
the sky with his Cessna Citation X, which he
still pilots at the age of 80.
About Jacobsen
Jacobsen manufactures an extensive range of turf maintenance equipment and utility
vehicles to meet the needs of today’s grounds care professionals. Jacobsen provides
dedicated support and service training and conducts thorough testing for quality and
reliability. The company markets Jacobsen products in the U.S. and internationally
through an extensive distribution network and the Ransomes brand through independent
distribution in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, North America, Oceania and South
America. Jacobsen, headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is a Textron company. Additional
information about the company, its products and commitment to customer support is
available at www.Jacobsen.com.
About Textron
Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft,
defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions
and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell
Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft Company, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee,
and Textron Systems. More information is available at www.textron.com.