The Toro Company gives $50,000 to support Rounds 4 Research

The GCSAA Foundation received another $50,000 grant from The Toro Company Foundation for continued support of the Rounds 4 Research program in 2026 — its 14th such grant in as many years. The Toro Company has now donated $700,000 to the program since 2013

Rounds 4 Research is designed to address a critical shortage in turfgrass research funding by auctioning donated rounds of golf online. The program allows GCSAA chapters and turfgrass foundations to participate as fundraising partners and direct the proceeds from auctioned rounds to specific projects that will have the most significant impact in their local areas. 

Since its launch in 2012, Rounds 4 Research has raised nearly $5 million. The program is administered by the GCSAA Foundation and presented in partnership with The Toro Company. The 2026 auction will be held April 20-26.

“The Rounds 4 Research auction broke records yet again in 2025, and Toro’s steadfast generosity has played a key role in the program’s continued success,” GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans said. “Toro’s unwavering support has undoubtedly ensured that the R4R program remains successful in sustaining the game of golf and advancing research that enhances the industry.”

The Toro Company is a longtime partner of the GCSAA Foundation, donating nearly $2.8 million since 1987 to help support scientific research, education and scholarships for future turfgrass professionals. As the exclusive presenting partner of Rounds 4 Research, The Toro Company is a Victory Club member of the GCSAA Foundation’s cumulative giving program and a GCSAA Platinum Partner.

“The Toro Company Foundation is proud to support Rounds for Research because it directly advances the science and education needed to steward our natural resources responsibly,” said Marnie K. Wells, president of The Toro Company Foundation. “This initiative reflects our commitment to sustainability by supporting research and scholarships that equip future turfgrass professionals to manage land, water, and inputs thoughtfully while strengthening the long-term health of the golf industry.”