Lawrence, Kansas, United States: The Environmental Institute for Golf (EIFG), the philanthropic arm of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), has again received a US$50,000 grant from The Toro Foundation for continued support of the Rounds 4 Research programme in 2020.
With this contribution, Toro has donated US$400,000 to the programme over the past eight years.
Rounds 4 Research is 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 2012, Rounds 4 Research has raised more than US$1.5 million. The 2020 auction will be held from April 27 to May 3 and is available to preview at www.biddingforgood.com/rounds4research. The programme is administered by the EIFG and presented in partnership with Toro, an Executive Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.
“Toro’s commitment to Rounds 4 Research has been critical to the success of the programme, and they have been vital in helping us reach the US$1.5-million mark,” said Rhett Evans, GCSAA Chief Executive Officer. “On behalf of GCSAA and its members, and the entire golf industry that benefits from the research R4R funds, we thank Toro for being such an important partner.”
“Rounds for Research not only supports important local research, but it also gets people playing golf, a win-win for the industry,” said Judson McNeil, President of The Toro Foundation. “We are proud of Toro’s long-standing partnership with the Environmental Institute for Golf, and the impact the organisation has on turf professionals.”
Toro is a long-time partner of the EIFG, donating more than US$2 million since 1987 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.