The charitable affiliate of Kentucky’s Family of Golf Organizations is the Kentucky Golf Foundation (KGF). Founded in 2002, the 501(c)3 was the vision of the Kentucky Golf Association and Kentucky PGA whose core purpose was to use golf to positively impact Kentucky youth. Helping to aid their mission is a recent $1 million pledged gift from Jimmy Kirchdorfer, CEO of ISCO Industries.
The global customized piping solutions provider is based in Louisville, and stocks and sells a wide variety of piping materials and provides solutions for various environmental, geothermal, golf, industrial, landfill, mining, municipal, nuclear, waterworks and culvert-lining applications worldwide. “Every year, it becomes clearer to me how fortunate I was to have a father who put a golf club in my hand at a young age,” Kirchdorfer said in the release.
As a family-owned, total piping solutions company ISCO Industries operates more than 30 facilities in the United States and Canada and Kirchdorfer’s huge monetary gift to the Kentucky Golf Foundation is well received, due to the fact that much of its funding is solely through private individual and corporate donations. Additional funds are received through, memorials, special events, and contributions from Kentucky’s Family of Golf Organizations.
The cool $1 Million donation is the largest ever received in the history of the organization and is set to help the Kentucky golf community in several ways through the following programs and special initiatives:
• Youth on Course
• Kentucky Junior Golf
• Kentucky Golf Hall of Fame
According to the press release, a significant portion of the gift will be dedicated to Youth on Course Kentucky initiatives. Youth on Course programs feature affordable golf access for junior golfers to over 60 Kentucky golf courses, allowing Youth on Course members to play golf for $5 or less.
“This is a signature moment for the Kentucky Golf Foundation and truly, Kentucky golf as a whole,” Craig Heibert, PGA Chairman of the Kentucky Golf Foundation said in the release. “This is a wonderful way to ring in the new year as we strive to continue introducing golf to those who have not had exposure to the sport and positively influence their lives through it. Our thanks to Jimmy for providing this gift cannot be overstated and we are tremendously appreciative for his support of the foundation.”
In response to the gift, Kirchdorfer’s company will now be a title sponsor of the KGF’s largest fundraiser, the Youth on Course Kentucky Pro-Am, and the event will be known as the ISCO Industries Youth on Course Kentucky Pro-Am for its next six editions through 2027. “The game has been so impactful in my life, and I am grateful to be able to share it with my own children. Unfortunately, not every child has that opportunity. I know this contribution will help make golf more accessible and inclusive throughout Kentucky,” said Kirchdorfer.
Kirchdorfer’s generous contribution will also include the debut of two new internship positions at Golf House Kentucky. The recipient who receives one of these internships will be entitled the James J. Kirchdorfer Golf Fellow. These interns will dedicate most of their time during the summer towards Youth on Course along with handling administrative, promotional duties and other aspects of Kentucky Junior Golf.
Valhalla Golf Club will be the location for the 2022 event that runs on Monday, Aug. 1. Registration for the tournament will become available this spring.
Furthermore, Kirchdorfer’s $1 Million gift will support the PGA HOPE Kentucky program which provides military veterans with golf instruction at no cost. The PGA HOPE Kentucky (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) introduces golf to veterans with disabilities to enhance their physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being.
“The growth of our golf community is dependent on the next generation having access to programs like Youth on Course, which provides affordable golf, as well as caddie and scholarship opportunities. Kids who grow up passionate about golf gain life lessons that will carry through to adulthood. My wife Dana and I are proud to support the work that the Kentucky Golf Foundation is doing and we hope others will join us,” Kirchdorfer said.
