Golf Course Superintendents Association of America awards grants of $26,500 to nine chapters for promotional outreach efforts (May 27)

May 27, 2015 – Nine affiliate chapters of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) have received grants for 2015 totaling $26,500 to promote the superintendent profession. Six of those chapters will use the Chapter Outreach grant money to buy local advertising time and space to promote the GCSAA “Thank a Superintendent” campaign.

The Georgia and Florida chapters have other initiatives and will use the money to produce promotional videos, while the Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association will use the funds to underwrite the expense of a “Golf Day” in the state capital. Eight chapters will receive the top award of $3,000, while the Louisiana-Mississippi GCSA will receive $2,500, which is the amount requested.

“The Chapter Outreach Grant Program strengthens GCSAA’s ties to the local community through our chapter affiliates,” said Rhett Evans, chief executive officer for GCSAA. “We are especially thrilled that so many chapters have endorsed our “Thank a Superintendent” campaign to widen the reach we have through our advertising with the Golf Channel.”

Chapters in the Carolinas, Louisiana-Mississippi, Nebraska, Ontario (CAN), Virginia and Western Washington are all buying air time and print space to share the chapter-branded message from top professional golfers, including Jack Nicklaus, Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler, Jordan Spieth and Michelle Wie, who all say, “If you love golf like I do, thank a golf course superintendent.”

“We are looking forward to getting our Western Washington chapter some exposure during the U.S. Open when a lot of the golf world is in town,” said Paul Ramsdell, executive director at the Western Washington Golf Course Superintendents Association, whose chapter also received grants in 2009 and 2012.

Ramsdell said he planned to buy time on Golf Channel and Fox Sports from June 5-25. The U.S. Open will be played June 18-21 at Chambers Bay in University Place, Wash.

GCSAA has 98 affiliated chapters across North America.

About GCSAA and the EIFG

The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) is a leading golf organization in the United States. Its focus is on golf course management, and since 1926 GCSAA has been the top professional association for the men and women who manage golf courses in the U.S. and worldwide. From its headquarters in Lawrence, Kan., the association provides education, information and representation to nearly 18,000 members in more than 78 countries. The association’s mission is to serve its members, advance their profession and enhance the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf. Visit GCSAA at www.gcsaa.org or find us on Facebook or Twitter.

The Environmental Institute for Golf is the philanthropic organization of the GCSAA. Its mission is to foster sustainability through research, awareness, education, programs and scholarships for the benefit of golf course management professionals, golf facilities and the game. Visit EIFG at www.eifg.org or find us on Facebook or Twitter.