In this special episode of Leadership on the Links, host Tyler Bloom highlights the impactful work of the Super Scratch Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit organization founded in 2020. Tyler is joined by industry colleagues Scott Bordner and Timothy Zurybida to discuss how the foundation is making a difference in the often underserved and overlooked side of the golf industry: turfgrass and agronomy.

The Super Scratch Foundation's mission is to invest in the future of the golf industry by supporting the education and training of the next generation of golf course superintendents. Each year, the foundation raises scholarship funds to assist students pursuing careers in agronomy. The conversation covers the foundation’s origins, goals, and the tremendous community support it has received, along with the need for increased awareness about career opportunities in the field.

A highlight of the episode is the discussion about the foundation's main event, The Super Scratch Invitational, the nation's first tournament pairing a club's superintendent with a top amateur golfer. Held annually at Huntingdon Valley Country Club, this unique event draws teams from prestigious golf clubs across the country. The winning teams are given the opportunity to allocate a portion of the Super Scratch Scholarship Fund to the universities of their choice, furthering the foundation’s commitment to education and future talent development.

Quotes

"We created it better than we knew. When we started this tournament, we didn't realize the scale of what we were building, but the industry support, superintendent support, and club member support have made all the difference."

"The more members who know there’s a shortage, the more they can help support financially or send people in our direction. It’s all about planting the seeds for the future."

"The goal isn't just to raise money; it's to support the future of the game by investing in the education and careers of students who will one day run the world's finest golf clubs."

Links mentioned

Super-Scratch Foundation - https://www.superscratchfoundation.org