by
Aug 08, 2023 |
Angela Hartmann
The GCSAA Foundation announce the launch of a newsletter, GCSAA Beyond the Course, to share highlights on
GCSAA Foundation initiatives, their effects on members and
celebrate donations. The
monthly newsletter will focus on sharing updates with donors and potential
donors on the successes of the GCSAA Foundation in funding critical research,
education, advocacy, and scholarships benefiting GCSAA members, other golf
course management professionals, golf facilities and the game. It will be
distributed via a link in an upcoming issue of GCSAA This Week for members to
opt into and made available to industry partners and golfers. Designed to be a
fast way to learn, the newsletter will feature quick-read articles and short
video reels sharing how the GCSAA Foundation will be benefiting members and the
industry in keeping golf courses sustainable as a way to grow the game and
business of golf.
Through its support, the GCSAA Foundation has funded important
initiatives such as the GCSAA Grassroots Ambassador Program which recently
surpassed 500 GCSAA member ambassador volunteers who serve as the “go-to”
resources for law makers and their staff for golf course management issues. Funds raised by the GCSAA Foundation have also powered the GCSAA First Green program
enabling GCSAA members and educators to provide hands-on STEM (Science,
Technology, Engineering and Math) education on golf courses. Through the
funding by the GCSAA Foundation and USGA, GCSAA recently completed the third
phase of its Golf Course Environmental Profile (GCEP), a groundbreaking project launched in 2005 to develop a comprehensive
environmental profile of golf courses in the United States. The
latest GCEP reports show that golf courses are applying fewer inputs since the
GCEP began in 2005. According to the studies, nitrogen use is down by 41
percent, phosphorus use is down 59 percent and potassium use is down by 54
percent since 2005. In addition, golf courses in the U.S. saw a 29% reduction in
water usage in 2021 compared to 2005. Collecting this information is
critical to driving research, implementing new practices and supporting
advocacy efforts.
“Supporting the GCSAA Foundation is more critical than ever,” said Mischia Wright, GCSAA director of GCSAA Foundation development. “As golf
courses face increased environmental, governmental, and economic pressures, the
GCSAA Foundation will be vital in funding initiatives enabling golf courses to
remain sustainable. Because without a golf course, there is no game or business
of golf”.
To learn more and donate to your GCSAA Foundation visit https://www.gcsaa.org/foundation.