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EIFG Collects $217,000 for Turfgrass Studies in May Auction
By selling more than 1,080 rounds in its May online auction, EIFG (the Environmental Institute for Golf) has raised over $217,000 for the 2017 Rounds 4 Research fundraising program, which aims at supporting the turfgrass studies.
As a six-year national program, this fundraising auction is supported by Toro with a $50,000 donation. Over 350 rounds have been donated to this auction by nearly 60 golf course management companies, including Billy Casper Golf, ClubCorp, Marriott Golf, the PGA Tour TPC network of courses and Troon Golf. With promotional support from the Golf Channel, Golf Advisor and GolfNow, this campaign has collected $782,000 so far. This May auction is the most successful in its history since 2012.
The EIFG is the philanthropic organization of the GCSAA. In May, the Carolinas GCSA was No. 1 among over 70 GCSAA affiliated chapters and turfgrass organizations, collecting $50,000 from the auction to support turfgrass research at the local level. With nearly $20,000 raised for this campaign, The Georgia GCSA was in the second place in May.
Dr. Christian Clark placed the top bid, $5,200 for a round of golf for four in Sage Valley Golf Club in Graniteville, S.C. Other high bids included $2,650 for four players at East Lake Golf Club outside of Atlanta, and $1,600 for four at The Stanwich Club in Greenwich, Conn.
As a gastroenterologist in the Tulsa area, the top bidder Clark says, “It will be well worth the price to be able to play with several friends. I made the decision because this was for a good cause and it was something I wanted to do. I used to live in South Carolina, and I am looking forward to making the trip.”
Rhett Evans, GCSAA CEO is exciting that Rounds 4 Research had its most successful year. Evans also indicates that this program is so wonderful that it allows golfers to help support the future of the game through important turfgrass research. Meanwhile, they can also play golf with friends in those courses that they love.
