Lawrence, Kansas, United States: The 2019 Rounds 4 Research fund-raising programme to support turfgrass studies, administered by the Environmental Institute for Golf (EIFG), sold 1,465 rounds of golf and yielded nearly US$364,000 in its May online auction, making it the most successful in the programme’s history and an increase of US$51,000 over 2018.

The EIFG is the philanthropic organisation of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA).

The Carolinas Golf Course Superintendents Association raised US$61,000 and was the leader among more than 70 GCSAA affiliated chapters and turfgrass organisations that received proceeds from the auction to support turfgrass research at the local level. The Florida GCSA was next with nearly US$40,000 raised for its chapter.

The top bid was US$4,750 for a round of golf for four donated by Whispering Pines Golf Club in Trinity, Texas.

“Rounds 4 Research continues to grow every year, and that is thanks to generous donors and bidders who care about supporting the game they love,” said Rhett Evans, the GCSAA’s Chief Executive Officer. “It is wonderful to see all aspects of the game come together to ensure its future.”

The national campaign is supported by a US$50,000 donation from The Toro Company, an Executive Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation. The Golf Channel, Golf Advisor and GolfNow provided promotional support.

More than 70 golf course management companies donated more than 400 rounds to the auction, including American Golf, Billy Casper Golf, ClubCorp, CourseCo, Founders Group International, Marriott Golf, the PGA Tour TPC Network and Troon Golf, an Executive Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation. The programme has raised nearly US$1.5 million since launching in 2012.