John Deere's UK & Ireland turf division manager Chris Meacock said: "John Deere is very pleased to become an IGTOA Business Partner, and we look forward very much to working together to promote Irish golf and tourism through our worldwide business.

"The company has a well-established relationship with tournament golf as official supplier of golf course equipment to the PGA Tour in the USA and the Ladies European Tour, including the Solheim Cup at Killeen Castle in Ireland, and as host of the world famous John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run, an annual PGA Tour event. This new alliance also strengthens our existing, well established relationship with golf club managers across Ireland."

IGTOA chairman Denis Kane added: "The IGTOA is delighted to welcome John Deere to our organisation. In recent years we have become the national representative body for the Irish golf tourism industry across the island of Ireland. In this regard we welcome John Deere and the vital turf management and maintenance services the company provides for our many Irish parkland and links golf courses.

"Our forthcoming promotion at the John Deere Classic, as part of our overall campaign for Irish golf tourism on the PGA Tour this season, is the perfect starting point to announce this new partnership, and we look forward to developing our relationship with them in the future."