GCSAA, Los Angeles City Golf, Southern California Golf Association and The First Tee of Los Angeles combine efforts to promote the game and industry

The inaugural First Green field trip for Los Angeles City Golf facilities was held on August 25 at Woodley Lakes Golf Club in Van Nuys, Calif. The field trip was co-hosted by GCSAA, Los Angeles City Golf, the First Tee of Los Angeles and the Southern California Golf Association.   

36 participants from the First Tee of Los Angeles came to Woodley Lakes to participate in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) education and to learn about the day-to-day activities of a golf course superintendent. 

The day featured three learning labs taught by Los Angeles City Golf superintendents Germinia Duenas, Thomas Frey, Stacy Hogue, Kristina Osier and David Slavik. The focus of the learning labs included a putting green demo/cool tools, water conservation/landscaping and a day in the life of a superintendent. 

Activities on the putting green included cup cutting, moisture meter use, fixing of ball marks and divots and the proper method of raking a bunker as well as various demos of maintenance equipment. 

The water conservation/landscaping lab included a tutorial on the benefits and challenges of recycled water, planting of flowers at the clubhouse, drought tolerant plant selection and tips for conserving water in the home. 

A day in the life of a superintendent included a walking tour of the course, mowing patterns and heights, description of various turf areas (greens, fairways, roughs, collars), diseases and the providing of habitat for migrating birds. 

In addition to the learning labs, the day also promoted women in golf course maintenance. Duenas, Hogue and Osier are three of four female superintendents employed at Los Angeles City Golf facilities.  It showed the young ladies in attendance that great career opportunities are available for those who enjoy science, the environment and working outside. 

A special thanks goes to Southern California Golf Association Director of Government Relations Craig Kessler for bringing the four parties together.  Also instrumental in the planning of the day were Laura Bauernfeind, Golf Manager for the City of Los Angeles Parks Recreation and Parks; Laurie Feldman, Executive Director of The First Tee of Los Angeles; Kevin Fitzgerald, Manager of Government Affairs for the Southern California Golf Association; Chris Steele, Program Director of The First Tee of Los Angeles and Calvin White, Principal Grounds Maintenance Supervisor, City of Los Angeles Golf Division. 

First Green is a GCSAA program pairing golf courses with local schools for unique Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) learning opportunities. For more information on how to organize and schedule a field trip, visit the First Green website.

Find more information on Los Angeles City Golf website, the Southern California Golf Association website and The First Tee of Los Angeles website.