Through the Environmental Institute for Golf, the Academy that was established by the retired CEO and Chairman of The Toro Companuy will make it possible for selected members of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America to attend next February’s event in San Antonio.

A nationwide survey of superintendents at nearly 15,000 U.S. facilities, sponsored by the U.S. Golf Association and the Environmental Institute for Golf, will compare golf’s current landscape to information collected in a 2006 study.

After David Van Auken of Bass Lake CC earned a benefit from the Melrose Leadership Academy earlier this year, his son Kurt was one of 20 winners of grants awarded to children of the association’s membership.

Gerry Navarre, a Michigan State University student pursuing a second career in turf management, earned the top prize of $6,000. A total of 14 awards were given.

The first phase of the fundraising program for turfgrass studies sold more than 600 rounds in the June online auction, a seven percent increase over a year ago.

The online auction of more than 725 rounds of golf at courses in 35 states, plus Canada and Mexico, will last through June 22 at www.biddingforgood.com.

The company’s grant for the Environmental Institute for Golf will help further turfgrass research at local universities. Toro has also upgraded its GreensPro® greens roller with the all-new GreensPro 1240, and introduced the new 100-inch cutting deck as an option for the popular Groundsmaster® 360 mower models.

To highlight the value of turfgrass, the superintendents’ organization and its philanthropic arm have become Silver Partners for the collaborative effort between the USDA and the National Turfgrass Federation.

The Environmental Institute for Golf (EIFG), the philanthropic arm of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, will use the donation to fund research grants, education programs, and scholarships. The pledge marks the third donation of this size by The PGA of America, making it part of EIFG’s Platinum Tee Club and Champions Club.

The Environmental Institute for Golf, the philanthropic organization of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, will receive its third $100,000 commitment from the PGA Tour. In addition, Cal Roth, PGA Tour senior vice president of agronomy and 34-year GCSAA member, has been named to the EIFG Board of Trustees.

Funded by the GCSAA’s philanthropic organization, the Environmental Institute of Golf, and supported by Syngenta Professional Products, the $1,500 college scholarships were awarded to 20 children or grandchildren of GCSAA members. The awards are based on academic achievement, community involvement, extracurricular activities and leadership skills.

Two online sales completed the turfgrass research fundraising program’s first full year on a national scale, with participating courses providing more than 900 rounds of golf for the cause.

The golf organization awarded five children of GCSAA members with one-time, one-year grants to fund their education at an accredited college or trade school. The grant was established in honor of Par Aide company founder Garske, and is funded by Par Aide, a golf course accessory company, and administered by the Environmental Institute for Golf, the philanthropic organization of GCSAA.

Derek Pruyne, John Parvin and Dan Strey earned the scholarships by submitting essays on golf course management, focusing on topics such as atmospheric carbon dioxide in turfgrass systems and synthetic herbicides. The first-place entry may be published or excerpted in the association’s official publication, GCM.