August News 2006

Flemish government starts study new multipurpose golf areas in Flanders

Ransomes Jacobsen Sign Official Supplier and Lead Partner Agreement with Golf Environment Europe

JOINT PRESS RELEASE

DATE: 22 nd August 2006

Ransomes Jacobsen Sign Official SUPPLIER
AND LEAD PARTNER AGREEMENT WITH
Golf environment europe

Golf Environment Europe (GEE) and Ransomes Jacobsen, a subsidiary of Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT), have signed a three-year agreement where the Ipswich-based turf equipment manufacturer becomes the Official Supplier of turf maintenance equipment and vehicles to, and a Lead Partner of, GEE.

Golf Environment Europe is a pan European initiative working to promote environmental sustainability in golf. Developed from the Committed to Green Foundation's principles, it is supported by a wide range of golfing organisations and is committed to the promotion of environmental responsibility across all areas of the golf industry.

Commenting at the signing of the agreement at a Press Open Day at the Ipswich factory recently, Jonathan Smith, Chief Executive of GEE said, "We are delighted to have signed this accord with Ransomes Jacobsen, as they are one of the leading turf equipment manufacturers in the industry and have a proven track record of their commitment to environmental issues.

"It's this type of commitment that we need, right across our industry; and this is amply demonstrated by the way they mange and develop their business. They have a portfolio of products that can be run on alternative fuels, they use biodegradable oil in their manufactured products and they have ISO14001, the first company within the turf care industry to be awarded this international standard for environmental management. This represents their ongoing commitment to environmental best practice and responsible management and their green credentials can only be enhanced through the signing of this agreement."

Ransomes Jacobsen Signs Official SUPPLIER AND LEAD PARTNER AGREEMENT WITH GOLF ENVIRONMENT EUROPE - continued

David Withers, Managing Director at Ransomes Jacobsen added, "The signing of this agreement with GEE is yet more excellent news for our company. We all have a social responsibility and, as Jonathan kindly said, we are committed to environmental best practice and management and are determined to make this agreement a two-way process. We have already demonstrated our support for green issues in golf as sponsors of BIGGA's Golf Environment award and the STRI's Sustainable Golf Course Management DVD.

"With GEE we will be introducing the Ransomes Jacobsen Environmental Innovation and Technology award, which will recognise the achievements of a European golf course which has demonstrated particular innovation on an environmental topic. We will also be working with the STRI to roll out their DVD across Europe.

"As a Lead Partner we can play an active role in supporting the golf sectors' approach to environmental sustainability and help improve the public and political perception of the sport."

Textron Inc. is a $10 billion multi-industry company operating in 33 countries with approximately 37,000 employees in continuing operations. The company leverages its global network of aircraft, 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, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Ransomes and Greenlee.  More information is available at www.textron.com .

Notes to editors appear on the following page

Ransomes Jacobsen Signs Official SUPPLIER AND LEAD PARTNER AGREEMENT WITH GOLF ENVIRONMENT EUROPE - continued

Notes to editors

For further information please contact:

Peter Driver, PR Manager, Command Publicity
1 The Matchyns Rivenhall End, Witham, Essex, CM8 3HA Tel: 01376 535400

Flemish government starts study new multipurpose golf areas in Flanders
On proposal of the Flemish Minister of Planning and the Flemish Minister of sport, the Flemish Government has agreed with the sequel-document of the Flemish Golf Memorandum concerning the building of new multipurpose golf areas.

Flemish Minister Dirk Van Mechelen has, in succession to the Flemish golf Memorandum on existing golf courses of 23 June 2003 developed a concrete action plan to examine where and how much new multifunctionel golf areas in Flanders can be developed.

New areas must take into account 4 principles.

1. Multi-purpose-functionality or recreational use: this means also not-golfers or not-golfclub-members can us the area on for example: walking way, bicycle paths, fishponds, tennis areas, bowls etc. Both the golf and the other recreational activities must be able to take place in all security. Therefore it depends on the size of the new golf, but surely it can be organized in an adapted way between the holes or around the golf.

2. Furthermore the Flemish government asks (particular attention for eco-golf-areas.

This means that the areas (like in the United Kingdom, Scotland and Sweden) are being managed with the best available techniques to achieve the most environment-friendly results. The minister welcomes the golf and environment programme of the Flemish Association for Golf (VVG), inspired by the European concept “Committed to Green”.

3. Minister Dirk Van Mechelen underlines that at least half of the new planned areas should be labeled as so-called ‘democratic golf areas’.

This means that for new golfers no starting-procedure and starting-fee are asked, the annual subscription must be payable for many people (max. 1000 €), there
must be a good developed youth plan, and based on a so-called greenfee
(a low users-compensation) visitors should be able to play golf and to get golf lessons. The Minister also asks that the Flemish Associaton for Golf (VVG) to introduce the principle of “free golfer” when there will be sufficient golf areas available. A free golfer is a golfer who is not member to a golfclub, but however can play golf, on presentation of his/her federation card, in different golfclubs, provided that he/she pays the greenfee.

4. Ultimately the Flemish Government strives to a mix of different exploitation forms. For instance a golf area can be a pure private-matter, a public private cooperation, by which the authorities are responsible for the grounds and the buildings and the exploitation remains a private or a pure public matter.

In 2015 53.200 Flemish golfers are expected.

So there is a demand for extra golf areas.

The Westflemish Economic Study Office (WES) has done research in 2004 and demonstrated that in all probability in 2015 53.200 Flemish people will play golf.
Today we have 30.000 Flemish golf players in 48 golf clubs or one 18-hole-course per 250.000 inhabitants.
To compare : in the Netherlands you will find a total of 260.000 golf players and they have one 18-hole-course per 100.000 inhabitants.

Thanks to the Flemish Golf Memorandum of june 2003, a lot of existing golf areas have been regulated and new possibilities have been created on each administration level. The municipalities became spatially competent for “type I areas”, which are the golfschools till 5ha or golfschools with a limited number of holes (max 6) to a maximum of 8ha. The province administrations take up responsibility for “type II areas”, which are areas with a maximum of 9 holes with a surface > 8 ha and < 40 ha. The Flemish Region is responsible for “type III areas”, which are golf areas larger than type I and type II. The most common 18-holes areas (40 till 70ha) or larger are labeled as type III area.

Assessments frame for investigation to expand existing or create new areas.

A technical study group will bring out an advice, based on an objective assessments frame with various criteria, to the Flemish Government, which will launch the decision phase after the investigation phase has come to an end.

This technical study group consists of a representative of the Flemish Minister of Sport, the Flemish Minister of Planning, the department Planning, Flemish Tourism, The office Nature & Woods, The department Agriculture, The Flemish Sport Federation, Nature Point Flanders, The Farmer Federation, The Flemish Golf Federation, a delegate from the concerned municipality. This technical study group is being presidented by BLOSO (= Institute for Sports in Flanders).

-On regional level there will start an investigation to the the expansion of four existing grounds:

Damme Golf & Country Club (Damme/Sijsele, West-Flanders) from 18 holes + 9 pp-holes, (pitch and put) to 27 holes + 9 pp-holes
Ieper – Palingbeek (Hollebeke, West-Flanders) from 18 to 27 holes
Golf Club Witbos (Olen, Antwerp) from 13 to 18 holes
Brasschaat Open Golf (Brasschaat, Antwerp) from 9 to 18 holes

There starts also an investigation to 7 new “ type III “ - grounds:

Knokke, West-Flanders
Nevele, East-Flanders
Sint-Gillis-Waas, East-Flanders
Schilde, Antwerp
Lommel, Limburg
Bree, Limburg
Sterrebeek, Flemish-Brabant

"With this approved frame, we do not only fill in the need of new golf areas, but we also establish a win-win-situation, on a spatially justified manner" concludes Minister of Planning Van Mechelen. “With these principles we strive a good mix between social aspects (relax distraction and exercise for everyone), economic elements (extra jobs and trade) and ecological aspects (nature and green preservation).

Also the Minister of Sport sounds satisfied about the progress: "this approach will lead on term to the democratization of golf in Flanders and can liberate this sport discipline of her elitist image."

Vlaamse Vereniging voor Golf vzw - Terhulpsesteenweg 110/3a, 1000 Brussel -
635-4293501-41- tel. 02 679 02 22 - fax. 02 674 41 65 -
email: info@golfvlaanderen.be - www.golfvlaanderen.be