San Diego, United States: Turfco, a manufacturer of golf course equipment, has donated US$25,000 to the Environmental Institute for Golf (EIFG), the philanthropic organisation of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), in celebration of its founding family’s 100th anniversary in the golf industry.

A Full Business Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation, Turfco officially presented the gift to the EIFG at last week’s Golf Industry Show. The money will be used to support turfgrass research.

Robert Stanard Kinkead founded National Mower in 1919. His son, John Kinkead Sr, spearheaded innovation at Turfco, which was established in 1961.

Turfco is now owned and operated by John’s sons, George and Scott Kinkead. Robert Kinkead was an exhibitor at the event that would become the Golf Industry Show when it started in 1927. The donation is a way to thank superintendents for their role in the company’s success for the last century.

“This is our way of showing our appreciation for this wonderful industry,” said George and Scott Kinkead. “Not too many others in the industry have been involved in making golf course maintenance equipment for 100 years. There has been a Kinkead at every GCSAA annual conference since they began.”

With this donation, Turfco is now a member of the Platinum Tee Club, which recognises organisations that give US$5,000 or more annually. Turfco is also now a member of the EIFG’s Cumulative Giving Programme’s Governor’s Club for organisations that have donated between US$50,000 and US$99,999 since 1987.

“Congratulations to the Kinkeads on their 100th anniversary,” GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans said. “Throughout their century in the industry, they have been great friends of GCSAA. We thank them for their most recent support and wish them well in the next 100 years.”