Toro continues support of Rounds 4 Research with $50K donation

The GCSAA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), has again received a $50,000 grant from The Toro Co. Foundation for continued support of the Rounds 4 Research (R4R) program in 2024. With this contribution, Toro has donated $600,000 to the program over the past 12 years.

Rounds 4 Research is designed to address a critical shortage in turfgrass research funding by auctioning donated rounds of golf online. The program allows GCSAA chapters and turfgrass foundations to participate as fundraising partners and direct the proceeds from auctioned rounds to specific projects that will have the most significant impact in their local areas.

“The Rounds 4 Research auction saw yet another record-breaking amount raised in 2023, and we would not have been able to accomplish it without help from Toro,” said GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans. “Toro understands the importance of the program and has consistently been a key contributor to the success of R4R. We are grateful for their ongoing generosity and support.”

Since its launch in 2012, Rounds 4 Research has raised more than $3 million. The program is administered by the GCSAA Foundation and presented in partnership with Toro. The 2024 R4R auction will be held April 22-28.

“We are honored to be in partnership with GCSAA. We recognize the importance of raising awareness in support of university-based agronomic research, education, advocacy programs and course operations,” said Marnie K. Wells, president of The Toro Co. Foundation. “GCSAA’s commitment to excellence in golf course management aligns seamlessly with our own values, making this collaboration a natural and meaningful fit.”