Florida GCSA donates to GCSAA’s disaster relief fund

Money that would have paid for an annual get-together of past leaders of the Florida Golf Course Superintendents Association is instead going to help superintendents affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Florida GCSA past-presidents dinner, in conjunction with the state spring board meeting, is a high point on the association’s annual calendar. But this year, because of stay at home orders, that meeting will be conducted online.

“But our board decided, since the money was already in the budget, we would go ahead and spend it, except this year, we would give it to GCSAA’s Disaster Relief Fund,” Florida GCSA president Nick Kearns, from The Oaks Club in Sarasota, said.

“Not surprisingly, our past presidents were in full support. We know the coming months will be a challenge for many and we feel that this will be the best use of these funds. We are proud to support GCSAA’s relief fund, which we know is making a difference for superintendents and their families,” he added.

The Florida GCSA’s gift of $2,500 is among the latest in a long line of industry giving to the fund, established in 2006 in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. The fund, administered through the Environmental Institute for Golf, helps GCSAA members who suffer personal loss whether from hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding, wildfires or crises like the coronavirus.

“While I am disappointed there won’t be a past-presidents dinner this year, I find the decision to donate the funds to the GCSAA Disaster Relief Fund a commendable action,” Kevin Sunderman, CGCS, Florida GCSA past-president and now GCSAA director, from Isla Del Sol Yacht and Country Club in St. Petersburg, said in an email.

“While we hope the actual need is little, it is likely that a number of people will need help through this. I can say there have already been funds granted to members in need. I encourage anyone to reach out if you, or someone you know, needs assistance. I also hope that anyone who may be able to donate will consider doing so.”