Featuring 350 rounds of golf, travel packages, tickets to top events

Rounds 4 Research online auction opens Aug. 1

The final Rounds 4 Research online auction of the year - featuring nearly 350 rounds of golf, vacation packages to top destinations and tickets to high-profile sporting events - opens Aug. 1 and continues through Aug. 11. It can be accessed at rounds4research.com.

The auction is a venture of the Environmental Institute for Golf, the philanthropic arm of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America. Funds generated will go to support research-based activities of GCSAA, its affiliated chapters and regional turfgrass organizations. A similar array of options for the first Rounds 4 Research auction in June raised $107,000.

The Aug. 1-11 auction will include several packages for high-profile golf events such as the 2014 Masters and U.S. Open golf tournaments, and destinations in Orlando; Hilton Head, S.C.; Hawaii; New York City; Sonoma, Calif.; New Orleans; and Las Vegas. Sporting event packages include the NCAA Final Four, NFL Pro Bowl and Indianapolis 500.

Golf packages up for auction include:

• Trump National Golf Club (N.Y.)
• Brae Burn Country Club (N.Y.)
• Victoria National Golf Club (Ind.)
• PGA West Resort (Calif.)
• Bighorn Resort (Calif.)
• La Quinta (Calif.)
• TPC Jasna Polana (N.J.)
• Aspen Glen (Colo.)
• Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis Club (Wyo.)
• Pronghorn Golf Club (Ore.)
• Sunningdale Golf Club (N.Y.)
• Chambers Bay Golf Course (Wash.)
• Indian Hills Country Club (Kan.)

"This is a great opportunity to get access to golf venues and golf at lower prices than making a specific tee reservation directly," said GCSAA President Patrick R. Finlen, CGCS. "Plus, you’re giving back to your facility and the game. Golf is a great contributor to charitable endeavors, but it is time the game looked at itself in the mirror and took measures to ensure its viability for the long term."

About the EIFG The EIFG is the philanthropic organization of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, and has as its mission to foster sustainability through research, awareness, education, programs and scholarships for the benefit of golf course management professionals, golf facilities and the game. With respect for the game and the environment, the EIFG inspires environmental, social and economic progress through golf for the benefit of communities. Collaboration between the golf industry, environmental interests and communities will lead to programs and services beneficial to all who come into contact with the game of golf. Visit the EIFG at www.eifg.org.

About GCSAA GCSAA is a leading golf organization and has as its focus golf course management. Since 1926, GCSAA has been the top professional association for the men and women who manage golf courses in the United States and worldwide. From its headquarters in Lawrence, Kan., the association provides education, information and representation to nearly 18,000 members in more than 72 countries. GCSAA's mission is to serve its members, advance their profession and enhance the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf. Find GCSAA on Facebook, follow GCSAA on Twitter, and visit GCSAA at www.gcsaa.org.

For more information contact: Mark Johnson, senior manager of environmental programs, 785-312-5161 or mjohnson@gcsaa.org Mischia Wright, EIFG senior manager of development, 785-832-4445 or mwright@gcsaa.org