Rounds 4 Research auction venture prepares for online bidding

A preview of the second and final Rounds 4 Research online auction of the year - featuring more than 300 rounds of golf, vacation packages to top destinations and tickets to high-profile sporting events - is available at www.rounds4research.com.

The actual Rounds 4 Research auction will be conducted Aug. 1-11, accessible at the same web address. 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 2013 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.)
• LaQuinta (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.)

"We are pleased with the results of our first auction and look forward to continued success in the next one," said GCSAA President Patrick R. Finlen, CGCS, director of golf at The Olympic Club in San Francisco. "The best aspect of this program is the funds are returned to the local and state level to fund research that will directly benefit facilities and golfers. I encourage golfers to visit the preview and become familiar with the options they have to get golf, travel and sporting event tickets at a potential savings."

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.

Contact: NEOhioGolf@yahoo.com