The Club Foundation, the non-profit fundraising organization established by the Club Managers Association of America (CMAA), has pledged $50,000 over five years to The Environmental Institute for Golf, the philanthropic organization of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA).

"This pledge to The Institute is a confirmation of our ongoing commitment to maximizing golf's compatibility with the natural environment," said Jim Singerling, CCM, CEC, president of The Club Foundation and CEO of CMAA. "We appreciate what The Institute and GCSAA have done in this initiative, and as soon-to-be participants in the Golf Industry Show we look forward to a long relationship.”

GCSAA CEO Steve Mona, CAE, said, " We appreciate The Club Foundation's support for The Institute, as well as the contributions CMAA and its members have made toward growing the game of golf. The advancements in golf course management over the years have been made possible in part by the support and contributions we receive from our allied association partners."

CMAA has shown its commitment to the environment through its "Full Facility Environmental Performance Audit," an online audit that covers all the components of a club facility, including buildings and landscaping, dining facilities, golf course, and sport amenities. Environmental Performance Indicators, or management practices, have been developed to help managers evaluate performance in areas such as: environmental planning, training, and communication; energy conservation; and waste reduction and recycling.

The pledge makes The Club Foundation a member of the Governor's Club in The Institute's Cumulative Giving Program. The Governor's Club is for organizations that have contributed $50,000 to $99,999 since 1987.

Annual donations of $10,000 also make the organization a Platinum Tee Cub member, the giving club for those who contribute at least $10,000 annually. In addition, The Club Foundation and CMAA have donated education packages to The Institute's Silent Auction and was a donor to GCSAA's "Investing in the Beauty of Golf" endowment campaign in 1998.

The Club Foundation supports the advancement of the club management profession through sponsoring research, funding industry education programs, providing financial assistance to educational institutions and awarding scholarships to outstanding students interested in the club management profession. Since its inception in 1988, The Club Foundation has awarded more than $2 million in scholarships, faculty research grants, faculty internships and financial support for CMAA educational programs. Visit www.clubfoundation.org for information.

The Club Managers Association of America is the professional Association for managers of membership clubs. With close to 7,000 members across all classifications, CMAA manager members run more than 3,000 country, golf, city, athletic, faculty, yacht, town and military clubs. The objectives of the Association are to promote and advance friendly relations among persons connected with the management of clubs and other associations of similar character; to encourage the education and advancement of its members; and to assist club officers and members, through their managers, to secure the utmost in efficient and successful operations. CMAA hosts the annual World Conference on Club Management and is a partner in the Golf Industry Show; maintains a highly trafficked Web site ( www.cmaa.org ) containing club industry resources as well as a section for CMAA members only; researches, writes and develops textbooks, manuals and white papers on club management issues; and is involved in numerous industry-wide initiatives that advance the profession of club management and enrich the lives of its members.

The Environmental Institute for Golf, the philanthropic organization of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, is a collaborative effort of the environmental and golf communities, dedicated to strengthening the compatibility of golf with the natural environment. The Institute concentrates on delivering programs and services involving information collection, research, education and outreach that communicate the best management practices of environmental stewardship on the golf course. For more on The Institute, visit www.eifg.org.

Since 1926, GCSAA has been the leading professional association for the men and women who manage golf courses in the United States and worldwide. From its headquarters in Lawrence, Kan., the association provides education, information and representation to more than 21,000 individual members in more than 72 countries. GCSAA's mission is to serve its members, advance their profession and enhance the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf. Visit GCSAA at www.gcsaa.org.

For more information contact:
Teri Harris, GCSAA managing director of development, at (785) 832-4465, tharris@gcsaa.org.
Bridget Gorman Wendling, CMAA, senior director, communications, at (703) 739-9500, bridget.wendling@cmaa.org.