GCSAA’s First Green program brings students out of the classroom to a local golf course for a fun, hands-on field trip to explore the living laboratory that is the golf course! Since 2018, over 15,000 students nationwide have participated in First Green learning about the STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) skills used every day by golf course superintendents and their teams. Presenters will share their insight on First Green, including the numerous events that have taken place in Kansas, and the impact it is having on schools and students and how you can get involved in your community.
These events are very useful for young children and allows them to connect with things that occur at golf courses, including potential future career options. The event highlighted here was conducted on October 23, 2024 at Sykes/Lady Overland Park Golf Course. Doug Melchior, K-State graduate, is the manager of Golf and Grounds, City of Overland Park, KS.
There were five different stops that covered different things related to golf courses:
- Grasses, seeding, and insects
- Creating putting holes on the putting green
- Putting on the green to earn rewards
- Architectural lay out of golf course holes
- Managing irrigation
Allowing children to explore and learn more about golf courses can potentially create their interest for career involvement. In my opinion, similar activities could also be helpful for other organizations that are involved in turf and landscape, and other horticulture-related organizations. Creating interest from young children could result their involvement in horticulture-related companies.
Above and below you will see several photos that were taken at Overland Park where 6th grade student from the Catholic school “Prince of Peace” visited First Green from about 10 a.m. to 1 p.m on October 23rd.
Leann Cooper (Director, First Green and Workforce Development, GCSAA) will be presenting more information about First Green at the Kansas Turf and Landscape Conference this year. You will find it beneficial to hear more about First Green! Find the post with more details on the upcoming conference here in this blog.
