Philanthropic organization of GCSAA fosters sustainability

Lawrence, Kan. (Feb. 16, 2021) — Jeff White, certified golf course superintendent (CGCS) at Indian Hills Country Club in Mission Hills, Kan., and Arjun Chowdri, Chief Innovation Officer for the PGA of America, have been appointed to the board of trustees for the Environmental Institute for Golf (EIFG), the philanthropic organization of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA).

White also serves on the board of directors for GCSAA. A 30-year GCSAA member, he has been a GCSAA Grassroots Ambassador since 2014, and is a seven-time representative of the Heart of America GCSA at the Chapter Delegates Meeting. White is a former board member of the Kansas Turfgrass Foundation. He also belongs to the Kansas GCSA and Heart of America GCSA, serving as president of the latter in 2005.

Chowdri became the PGA’s first-ever chief innovation officer in 2019, having previously served as its senior director of global and corporate strategy. He has been a part of the PGA of America team since 2012.

“We are delighted to welcome Jeff and Arjun to the EIFG,” said Mark F. Jordan, CGCS, GCSAA and EIFG president. “Their experience and enthusiasm will help advance our mission.”

The EIFG fosters sustainability by providing funding for research grants, education programs, awareness of golf's environmental efforts and scholarships. It was founded in 1955 as the Scholarship & Research Fund for the GCSAA.

The board of trustees is composed of four GCSAA directors and one representative each from the USGA, PGA Tour and PGA of America. The trustees are responsible for advancement, policies and general review of the mission and goals of the organization.

The current board also includes Kevin P. Breen, CGCS (GCSAA vice president); Kevin P. Sunderman, CGCS (GCSAA secretary/treasurer); Rand Jerris (USGA) and Paul Vermeulen (PGA Tour).