GCSAA Rounds 4 Research raises more than $500K during online auction

For the second year in a row, the GCSAA Foundation’s Rounds 4 Research program supporting turfgrass research broke records, yielding more than $544,500 during its online auction on April 24-30, an increase of $53,300 from 2022.

The online auction received more than 1,500 donated rounds of golf and more than 16,000 bids. The auction sold 1,471 rounds to golfers and the top bid was $13,010 at Ohoopee Match Club.

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

The national campaign is presented in partnership with Toro. Other 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 network of courses and Troon Golf.

More than 70 GCSAA chapters helped secure donations and the majority of funds raised go back to the chapters to support local research projects. The Carolinas GCSA was the top-earning chapter and raised more than $112,000. The Georgia GCSA was next with $48,500 raised.

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