Tempe, Ariz. (May 31, 2024) – Grass Clippings, a company founded in 2018 dedicated to growing the game of golf and celebrating the greenskeepers that make the game possible, has partnered with the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) to provide educational aid to children and grandchildren of GCSAA members. The GCSAA Legacy Awards Funded by Grass Clippings will provide $1,500 scholarships to up to 20 students annually.
Grass Clippings at Rolling Hills, Arizona’s first fully lit 18-hole golf course, and the Grass Clippings golf apparel shop located at 39th St. and Campbell in Phoenix, in partnership with the GCSAA Foundation will fund the annual Legacy Awards scholarship program created to thank and assist the unsung heroes of golf, the greenskeepers and superintendents at golf courses. Grass Clippings will raise scholarship funds in a variety of ways, including:
- Round up at the counter. Guests can round their bill up in the pro shop to the nearest whole dollar amount. The added difference will be donated to the scholarship fund.
- Donate directly through a QR code displayed in the pro shop.
- Golfers at Grass Clippings at Rolling Hills can participatein weekly putting contests. Entry fees will go directly to the scholarshipfund.
- Purchase co-branded merchandise in the pro shop as 100% of the proceeds will go directly to the scholarship fund.
“Grass Clippings is profoundly honored to express our commitment to nurturing the future of golf by supporting its very foundation: the grass beneath our feet and the dedicated individuals who keep it green. Through our partnership with the GCSAA Foundation and the Legacy Awards, we celebrate the heroes of the game and invest in the education of their families, ensuring the spirit and sustainability of golf for generations to come,” said Grass Clippings Co-Founder Jake Hoselton.
To be eligible for the GCSAA Legacy Awards Funded by Grass Clippings, at least one or more of the applicant’s parents or grandparents must be an active Class A, B, C, Equipment Manager, A-Retired, B-Retired or AA member of GCSAA for five or more consecutive years. The competition is open to natural or adoptive offspring of GCSAA members. Children, stepchildren or grandchildren of deceased members are also eligible if the member was active at the time of his or her death.
For additional information on GCSAA Legacy Awards Funded by Grass Clippings, including eligibility, criteria for selection, how to apply, and deadlines, visit www.gcsaa.org/education/scholarships.
About The GCSAA
The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America is the professional association for the men and women who manage and maintain the game’s most valuable resource — the golf course. The golf industry recognizes the association as a key contributor in elevating the game and business. Since 1926, with a focus on golf course management, GCSAA has been the top professional association in the United States and worldwide. Headquartered in Lawrence, Kan., it provides education, information and representation to 20,000 members in more than 78 countries. Its mission is to serve its members, advance their profession and improve communities through the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf. The GCSAA Foundation, the philanthropic organization of GCSAA, secures funding and support to strengthen advocacy, education and research that advances the work of golf course management professionals. For more information on the GCSAA, visit www.gcsaa.org.
About Grass Clippings at Rolling Hills
On March 2, 2023, the Tempe City Council approved Grass Clippings’ plan to overhaul and operate Rolling Hills Golf Course. Grass Clippings executed a long-term lease with the City of Tempe, and took over the property on July 1st of last year, with Troon immediately assuming management of daily operations. Scottsdale-based WestHawk Capital partnered with Grass Clippings to lead a $15 million round of equity capitalization to finance the complete renovation of the facility, including the installation of lights and the full F&B and amenity package currently under development. The golf course reopened on Friday, November 3rd following a four-month golf course renovation project and rye grass overseed, construction of a newly designed 9th hole, new tee boxes, installation of a new state-of-the-art irrigation system to improve turf quality, and a new 15,000 sq. ft. practice putting green. Grass Clippings at Rolling Hills then opened to night golf play on Friday, December 1, 2023 and has instantly become a favorite destination for golfers. More than 78 LED lights illuminate the golf course, which plays as a par 54, par-3 golf course at night and as an executive-length golf course (with par 3s and 4s) during the day. Golfers are able to track ball flight through the night sky on holes that range from 90 to 200-plus yards, while enjoying 360-degree views of downtown Tempe, Sky Harbor Airport, downtown Phoenix, the Phoenix Zoo and the nighttime silhouette of Papago Buttes.
The introduction of lights and night golf is just the beginning for the golf and entertainment venue, the flagship location for Grass Clippings’ cutting-edge vision. The team recently unveiled a refurbished golf shop and is in the process of renovating the clubhouse, adding a new Mexican food restaurant and a patio bar. In addition, Grass Clippings at Rolling Hills will add a hilltop bar near hole 8, an activity lawn and video display, and an entertainment site for live music, markets, and events, with full completion of all projects targeted for fall 2024.
For more information on Grass Clippings at Rolling Hills, visit https://grassclippingsaz.com.
About Grass Clippings
Grass Clippings was originally founded in 2018 as a company dedicated to growing the game of golf and celebrating the greens keepers that make the game possible. In 2019, after hosting the first Grass Clippings Open, Grass Clippings launched a line of golf apparel and opened its first retail shop, located at 39th St. and Campbell in Phoenix. The Grass Clippings Open grew rapidly and by 2022 had outgrown its venue. As co-founder Pete Wilson explained, “We needed a venue we could grow with.” The Grass Clippings Open is poised to be the greatest par 3 golf tournament in the world. Follow Grass Clippings at Rolling Hills on Instagram at @grassclippings.rollinghills and on Twitter @GrassClippingsc.
About WestHawk Capital
WestHawk Capital is a Scottsdale, Arizona-based investment management firm who partners emerging real estate sponsors with scalable investment strategies to accelerate the growth of their platforms. Additionally, WestHawk partners with operating businesses who require strategic real estate investments to achieve their growth. WestHawk has partnered with Grass Clippings to capitalize the real estate in the rollout of a pioneering concept in par 3 night (lighted) golf courses, beginning with the 2023, $15 million funding for the transformation of Grass Clippings Rolling Hills in Tempe, Arizona. WestHawk makes these investments both directly and through its affiliated commercial real estate investment operating platform Alignment Realty Capital. For more information, visit www.westhawkcapital.com or contact Gary Linhart at gary@westhawkcapital.com.
About Troon
Headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Troon is the world’s largest golf and golf-related hospitality management company providing services at 875-plus locations in 45-plus states and 35-plus countries, including operational responsibility for 575-plus 18-hole equivalent golf courses. In addition to golf, Troon specializes in homeowner association management, private residence clubs, estate management and associated hospitality venues. Troon’s award-winning food and beverage division operates and manages 600-plus food and beverage operations located at golf resorts, private clubs, daily fee golf courses and recreational facilities. Troon’s family of brands includes Troon Golf, Troon Privé, Troon International, Indigo Sports, CADDIEMASTER, ClubUp, Cliff Drysdale Tennis, Peter Burwash International, True Club Solutions, RealFood Hospitality, Strategy and Design, Casa Verde Golf, ICON Management and Eventive Sports. For additional news and information, visit www.Troon.com, TroonMagazine.com or connect with Troon on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Troon Chronicles, Press Room, and via The Turn Podcast.
Media Contact:
Rob Myers
Troon
480.477.0506
rmyers@troon.com
