Of all the things that you did as a youngster in school,
what do you remember the most? For me it was the field trips. Whether it was
the trip to the Nabisco factory in first grade or the trip to the “Oregon
Outback” in 7th grade, each of those made an indelible mark in my
mind. This is the mission of the First Green Foundation, to provide an outdoor
learning experience for young children on a golf course that will be remembered
for years to come.
Using the golf course as a laboratory, the First Green
Foundation utilizes a STEM learning curriculum. STEM stands for science,
technology, engineering and mathematics. The First Green Foundation will help
golf course superintendents connect with local teachers and provide their
golf courses as outdoor laboratories. The USGA, in partnership with Chevron,
just awarded the First Green Foundation a $155,750 grant to expand the program
into Southern California. Kimberly S. Erusha, Ph.D., managing director of the USGA
Green Section, said in awarding the grant, “The goal of the Chevron-USGA
partnership and our Eagles for Education funding is to make STEM more fun and
engaging through the game of golf.
With this grant, the First Green Foundation will continue
expansion into Oregon and Northern California as well as expanding further into
Southern California. The First Green has expanded on its own to other parts of
the country without the help of grants. Frank Tichenor, from Forest Hill Field
Club in New Jersey, hosted his first field trip last year and said, “I have
to say this was one of the best days I have ever spent on a golf course. I
can't wait to do it again.” The Intermountain GCSA in Utah is going all in, and
is starting fundraising soon to purchase superintendent resource kits
for its members.
If there has ever been a program targeted at advocacy for
the game of golf, this program fits the bill. It teaches students the
benefits that golf provides to the environment and community. This enables superintendents to promote the game by way of dispelling
myths as well as growing the game. Giving the children an introduction to golf
at an early age will no doubt pay dividends down the road as we need to add
more golfers to the sport.
