Gift is the third of its kind from the Melrose Foundation
LAWRENCE, Kansas – The Kendrick B. Melrose Family Foundation has donated $1 million to the GCSAA Foundation, the philanthropic organization of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA).
The official announcement of the gift was made Feb. 2 during the Opening Session of the 2026 GCSAA Conference and Trade Show (CTS) in Orlando, Fla.
This is the third such gift to GCSAA from the Melrose Foundation. In 2012, the first $1-million gift endowed the Melrose Leadership Academy, which focuses on professional development for golf course superintendents through opportunities to attend the annual CTS. That was followed by a $1-million donation in 2019 to fund the Melrose Equipment Management Experience, which focuses on professional development of equipment managers and brings them to the CTS.
In addition, the Melrose Foundation donated $500,000 in 2019 to support First Green, GCSAA’s STEAM-education program.
The latest gift will continue supporting programs and initiatives that deliver training and education to GCSAA members to the benefit of the entire golf industry and the communities they serve.
The Melrose Family Foundation was formed by the late Ken Melrose, former CEO and chairman of the Toro Co. He joined the Toro Co., in 1970 and quickly ascended the ranks of the company, culminating with his appointment as CEO in 1983 and chairman of the board of directors in 1987. He retired as CEO in 2005 and from the chairman position in 2006.
That same year he formed Leading by Serving, LLC, a new company whose mission was to advance the principles of servant leadership in business organizations
Upon forming the Melrose Equipment Management Experience in 2019, Melrose said, “I believe that GCSAA is the best organization to deliver the education and training that will not only benefit golf course management professionals, but their facilities and the game.”
Melrose passed away on May 3, 2020, and the Melrose Family Foundation has continued his work. In honor of Melrose’s support of GCSAA, the auditorium at GCSAA headquarters in Lawrence, Kan., is named for him.
“As we celebrate GCSAA’s Centennial this year, we can truly say that we have not had a more benevolent friend in the last 100 years than Ken Melrose, who helped advance the golf course management industry through his visionary leadership.” GCSAA Chief Executive Officer Rhett Evans said.
“We are deeply appreciative and humbled by this latest gift from his Foundation. Ken made a huge impact on GCSAA members during his lifetime, and this latest support will continue to build on his legacy.”