The Greenkeepers of Broken Top

By now, many of you have seen this video on YouTube. I first learned of it while visiting some members in Central Oregon, where Broken Top is located. I tweeted it after I saw it and the views increased to well over 1.000. Then, just recently, one of our industry magazines got wind of it and they put it out on their Facebook page and the views almost shot up to 3.000.

The owner of this video’s name is Ethan Erickson. I learned that Ethan worked for Scott Moffenbeier over the summer at Broken Top and had asked Scott permission if he could carry along his camera equipment while he did his daily chores. Scott didn’t mind and didn’t think much of it until Ethan showed the crew what he had been working on. Everyone’s jaw dropped when they saw how incredible his video was. I actually had the same reaction.

What's a visit without a selfie with Ethan?

My first thought was that this was quite a production and had to be put together by some local professional production company so I had to find out what the story was behind this video. Shelia Finney, GCSAA’s new senior director of member programs, was heading northwest to Portland to attend the local equipment managers meeting with me and were also planning on going over to Bend to attend the equipment manager gathering.  I figured that this was a good time to try to reach Ethan. I contacted Scott Moffenbeier to see if he could arrange a meeting and Scott did just that. The four of us met for dinner in Bend that evening and I had the pleasure of meeting the young man behind the camera whose talent had peaked the interest of so many across the country.

Ethan is a graduate of Oregon State University and was working at Broken Top as a seasonal job. He majored in photography and digital communication and is aspiring to be a freelance photographer. Check out some of his work. You will see many of the projects that he has worked on including content from his internship with the Oregon State University Athletics, the Portland Timbers and much more. My friends know me as a (very) amateur photographer and Ethan's work just simply exceeds my ability beyond my comprehension.

Shelia and I both agreed that Ethan needs to use his talents in the golf industry because so many people were inspired just by watching his video. If you haven’t seen it yet, I have provided below for your viewing pleasure. This young man has quite a talent and it would be a shame if the word didn’t get out about him. I have already been contacted my some who would like to use his services. I’m sure that many more will be doing the same soon.

The First Green Foundation celebrates 20 years of bringing STEM education to golf

Okay, let’s be honest with ourselves. How many times did you tell yourselves in 2016 that you really need to look into that First Green program and plan a field trip? Well, let’s make 2017 the year that you make it happen! Undoubtedly, if you have heard of the First Green Foundation, then you have heard great things about it and that is why hosting a middle school field trip seems sounds so interesting.

The First Green Foundation, led by Executive Director Karen Armstead, will be celebrating their twenty-year anniversary in 2017 and are encouraged by the increased level of interest in the program. Since partnering with GCSAA almost five years ago, the program expanded across the country with successful field trips in New Jersey, Maryland, California, Idaho and Oregon. There is currently interest in Illinois, Iowa, Montana, Pennsylvania, Georgia, the Carolina's, Colorado and Texas. Internationally, Canada is even holding First Green field trips and now Europe has taken a keen interest in the program.

GCSAA is happy to be partnering with The First Green Foundation. My fellow field staff and I are available to help you connect with the resources that you will need to get you started. If you are headed to Orlando next month, this year marks our third year that we will be offering a First Green seminar which will include a field trip to a local golf course. You will be taught by Steve Kealy, CGCS, and Jeff Gullikson, CGCS, on how to arrange and hold a successful field trip. Between the two of them, they have probably hosted over 10,000 kids at their courses over the last 20 years. You will even be able to see firsthand how a field trip works by traveling to a local golf course and actually assisting with a real field trip.

Last year in San Diego, the field trip was covered by a local news station and GCSAA.tv which brought a lot of great publicity to the event. The USGA has also been great about promoting the program. You probably even saw the segments during the 2015 U.S. Open. They have also been instrumental in the support of the program as well. Their financial commitment has been integral in the continuing success of the program.

Jeff Gullikson, CGCS, offers hands-on education at GIS in 2016

The First Green provides direct hands-on STEM education to middle school children who get an opportunity to experience a golf course in a real positive light.

When we speak of advocacy to the game of golf, we not only speak of our presence on Capitol Hill, we have to take into consideration of our impact on the local community. The First Green provides direct hands-on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education to middle school children who get an opportunity to experience a golf course in a real positive light. You never know, one of those kids that you meet may even be your future assistant superintendent. This is one way to help the younger generation become aware of what we do and stimulate interest in our profession and the game.

I urge you to take the challenge and commit yourself to hosting a field trip this year. Please follow @TheFirstGreen on Twitter so when you host your first field trip you can let the world know about it. The First Green Foundation is your one source for STEM learning at your golf course.

Find more information on "Launching a First Green Field Trip Program at Your Own Golf Course"