Lawrence, Kansas, United States: For the second year in a row, the GCSAA Foundation’s Rounds 4 Research programme, supporting turfgrass research, broke records, yielding more than US$544,500 during its online auction, an increase of US$53,300 over 2022.

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

More than 1,500 rounds of golf were donated for an online auction (from April 24-30) where more than 16,000 bids were made, and 1,471 rounds were sold to golfers. The top bid was US$13,010 at Ohoopee Match Club.

Rhett Evans, the GCSAA’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “GCSAA’s Rounds 4 Research continues to grow, and we were blown away by the response from our generous donors and bidders who helped set records again this year.

“Thank you to our chapters, the facilities who donated rounds and the bidders for working together through our GCSAA’s Rounds 4 Research programme to ensure golf’s future.”

The national campaign is presented in partnership with The Toro Company, an Executive Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.

Several multi-course operators have also joined the effort to support research, including ClubCorp, CourseCo, Dormie Network, Founders Group International, GreatLIFE Golf, KemperSports, Marriott Golf, the PGA Tour TPC network of courses and Troon Golf.

More than 70 of GCSAA’s affiliated chapters helped secure donations, and the majority of funds raised go back to the chapters to support local research projects that significantly impact the game.

The Carolinas GCSA was the top earning chapter and raised more than US$112,000. The Georgia GCSA was next with US$48,500 raised for its chapter.

The programme has raised more than US$3 million since launching in 2012.