Bloomington, Minneapolis, United States: The Environmental Institute for Golf (EIFG), the philanthropic arm of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), has received a US$50,000 grant from The Toro Company for the continued support of Rounds 4 Research in 2015 to help further turfgrass research at local universities.
With this recent contribution, Toro has donated US$150,000 to the programme over the past three years.
Rounds 4 Research is a programme designed to address a critical shortage in turfgrass research funding by auctioning donated rounds of golf online.
The programme allows GCSAA chapters and turfgrass foundations to participate as fund-raising partners and direct the proceeds from auctioned rounds to specific projects that will have the most significant impact in their local areas.
Since its launch in July 2012, Rounds 4 Research has raised nearly US$320,000. The 2015 auction will be held from June 8-21. The programme is administered by the EIFG and presented in partnership with Toro.
“Toro continues to see the value in supporting turfgrass research for the long-term benefit of the golf industry. The commitment to Rounds 4 Research is critical to the success of raising funds for research and the advancement of our industry,” said Rhett Evans, GCSAA Chief Executive Officer.
Michael J. Hoffman, Toro’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said: “From our earliest days in the golf industry, Toro has recognised the importance fine turf plays in customers’ enjoyment of the game. Our founders invested in and collaborated with local course superintendents, universities and national golf organisations on numerous turfgrass research projects.”
Hoffman, who presented Toro’s most recent grant donation to EIFG at the Golf Industry Show in San Antonio, added: “We are pleased to continue Toro’s legacy of support with this grant for Rounds 4 Research, on behalf of our employees around the world as well as all those who love what our company’s first President often called, ‘the world’s finest sport’, the game of golf.”
An Executive Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation, Toro is a long-time partner of the EIFG, donating more than US$1.8 million to help support scientific research, education and scholarships for future turfgrass professionals.
As the exclusive presenting partner of Rounds 4 Research, Toro is a Victory Club member of the EIFG cumulative giving programme and a GCSAA Platinum Partner.