Gift will help fund innovative initiatives over the next century

Lawrence, Kan. (April 21, 2026) – The Golf Course Builders Association of America (GCBAA), has generously donated $30,000 to the GCSAA Foundation, the philanthropic organization of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) to support the Col. John Morley Centennial Campaign.

GCSAA will turn 100 on Sept. 13, 2026, and it has embarked on a Centennial fundraising campaign to establish a new endowment honoring GCSAA’s founder, Col. John Morley, with a goal of raising $1 million to fund new and innovative initiatives for the next 100 years.

The GCBAA is supporting the Centennial Campaign at the Legacy Leader level, which recognizes donations of $30,000 or more. With this donation, GCBAA gains membership in the Foundation’s Platinum Tee Club, which recognizes organizations that donate $5,000 or more annually to the GCSAA Foundation. It is also recognized at the Executive Club level in the Foundation’s Cumulative Giving Program for donors that have contributed between $25,000 and $49,999 since 1987. 

“We’ve shared so much history and collaboration with GCBAA over the years, whether as partners in the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show or coming together to advocate for the industry and the game,” said GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans. “Thank you to GCBAA for their gift to our Centennial Campaign, and we look forward to continued cooperative efforts in the next century.”

GCBAA is a nonprofit trade association of the world's foremost golf course builders and leading suppliers to the golf course construction industry. It is the only organization in the world organized by and for golf course builders, and the only organization that represents the interests of the golf course construction industry.

“On behalf of the GCBAA and our members, we’re honored to support the GCSAA Foundation’s Col. John Morley Centennial Campaign as GCSAA approaches its 100th anniversary,” said Justin Apel, executive director of the GCBAA. “For decades, GCBAA builders and GCSAA superintendents have worked side by side—sharing expertise, elevating best practices and collaborating at the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show—to deliver the highest-quality playing conditions and build the best golf courses in the country. This gift celebrates that partnership and reflects our shared commitment to invest in education, research and advocacy that will strengthen the profession and the game for the next century.”

To learn more about the Col. John Morley Centennial Campaign, visit gcsaa.org/centennial-campaign.