GCSAA recently launched the First Green Liaison network to spur growth of the program throughout the United States. First Green Liaisons will help promote First Green in their chapters, states, and regions by hosting field trips, acting as a mentor to first-time hosts and providing community outreach and support of First Green. The First Green Liaison is an engaged chapter member who is a GCSAA Member in good standing and is passionate about First Green’s mission:
Support environmental education, stewardship and STEM learning.
Illustrate the environmental and community benefits of golf courses.
Introduce the next generation to the game and careers in golf.
First Green Liaisons will grow the program and support the mission by engaging in various activities such as:
Host/organize First Green field trips and invite his/her chapter members to attend as a train-the-trainer opportunity.
Work to create relationships with area school districts, private schools and youth groups in order to generate awareness of the First Green program.
Speak at chapter meetings and events on First Green.
Work with GCSAA to improve the First Green program.
Attend local STEM and school events and staff a First Green booth.
Perhaps their most important role will be to act as a sounding board and mentor for individuals interested in hosting a field trip but need some extra support. Liaisons will be able to travel and volunteer at field trips in their state as their schedules allow.
GCSAA is pleased to announce the first nine First Green Liaisons. Our goal is to have a liaison in all 50 states.
California
Muhammad Ali
Golf Course Superintendent
Bing Maloney/Bartley Cavanaugh
Sacramento, CA
(916) 808-6354
m.ali916@yahoo.com
Colorado
Mitch Savage
Golf Course Superintendent
Common Ground Golf Course
Aurora, CO
(303) 340-1520
msavage@commongroundgc.com
Florida
Scott MacPhee
Director of Golf
Sailfish Point Golf Club
Palm City, FL
(772) 225-1200
vsmsfp@aol.com
Georgia
Tim Busek
Golf Course Superintendent
St. Ives Country Club
Duluth, GA
(404) 787-6162
tbusek@stivescountryclub.org
Kansas
Ethan Shamet
Golf Course Superintendent
Heritage Park Golf Course
Olathe, KS
(913) 244-3988
Ethan.shamet@jocogov.org
Maryland
Ryan Kraushofer
General Manager/Golf Course Superintendent
Westminster National Golf Club
Westminster, MD
(410) 876-4653
westminsternationalgc@yahoo.com
Minnesota
Nicholas Dickerson
General Manager/Golf Course Superintendent
Owatonna Country Club
Owatonna, Minnesota
(507) 451-1363
nikkd@owatonnacc.com
New York
Dan Wilber
Golf Course Superintendent
Millbrook Golf & Tennis Club
Millbrook, NY
(845) 677-8061
Dwilber8@optonline.net
Pennsylvania
Alan Fitzgerald, MG
Golf Course Superintendent
Ledgerock Golf Club
Mohnton, PA
(484) 824-3539
alan@ledgerockgolf.com
South Carolina
Don Garrett, CGCS
Golf Course Superintendent
The Walker Course at Clemson University
Clemson, SC
(864) 650-7215
dgarret@clemson.edu
Washington
Steve Kealy, CGCS
Golf Course Superintendent
Glendale Country Club
Bellevue, WA
(425) 746-7947
stevekealy@gmail.com
To find out more about the First Green Liaison program and to volunteer, visit the First Green Liaison page.