On Thursday, Feb. 9 at the Golf Industry Show in Atlanta, Toro officials presented a check for $85,000 to the Environmental Institute for Golf, the philanthropic division of GCSAA. The Environmental Institute for Golf will use the funding to gather baseline data to help evaluate playing surfaces, natural resources, environmental stewardship efforts and maintenance practices.

In addition, Toro donated $10,000 in support of the Center for Resource Management’s Organic Golf project, and $25,000 to the American Society of Golf Course Architect’s educational resource, An Environmental Approach to Golf Course Development.

“The Toro Co. has always cared deeply about integrating the natural environment with the game of golf,” said Mike Hoffman, president and CEO. “We are pleased to support the GCSAA in collecting this critical data that will enable the Institute to identify environmental successes and recommendations for improvement within the golf industry.”

Over the last three years, The Toro Giving Program has donated more than $1.3 million to promote the golf industry’s continued growth and success. In 2005, Toro provided more than $550,000 in cash and product donations to the golf industry, and the company’s efforts continue.

Other recent donations include irrigation equipment valued at $46,000 for the Tiger Woods Learning Center in California, nearly $60,000 to The First Tee in product donations and services last year alone, and $10,000 to the National Amputee Golf Association for its scholarship program and annual golf tournament.

Contact www.thetorocompany.com.