The Treasure Coast GCSA recently conducted their second First Green field trip in the past 9 months. This go around it was conducted at The Indian River Club in Vero Beach, Fla., and it used their previous experience at Sailfish Point in Stuart to enhance the offerings for the fifth grade students at Indian River Academy. Host superintendent Bobby Wallace brought together an excellent group of volunteers to assist in the event. At least eight superintendents from the Treasure Coast Chapter along with another half dozen industry partners and the head golf pro and one of his assistants collaborated and successfully lead the students through seven different educational learning laboratories.

 
Roughly 60-70 Indian River Academy fifth graders, most of whom had never been on a golf course before, participated in two separate field trips during the day. There was a morning session followed by lunch for both groups and an afternoon session. The students were exposed to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education principles that brought into light real-world applications for lessons they were being taught in the classroom.

The students enjoyed 15 minutes of hands on instruction at each station where they had the chance to see golf course equipment in action, take soil samples, use a soil moisture meter, a stimpmeter, a prism gauge, learn about water quality and how important a resource it is on a golf course, they measured areas on the course and did math to determine square feet, they had the opportunity to hit range balls under the supervision of the head golf pro, they learned how to putt, and probably the most enjoyed lab was the live bees nest provided by Coastal Honey Bees, owned by Roger Welker. Although it was not an official laboratory for the day, the golf cart ride from the school to the course was viewed by one student as very exciting!!

It was evident how much the students enjoyed the day as their smiles and laughter conveyed this well. What I took away from the event was how much the club’s membership that stopped by to see what we were doing enjoyed hosting the field trip. I think the members got just as much out of the field trip as did the students. I know the volunteers that worked the event thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity as well. All in all, everyone left the First Green experience feeling very good about the chance to talk about and learn about all the wonderful things that happen on a daily basis on a golf course.

This feeling should not be limited to the groups that participated in this First Green field trip. Everyone should have the opportunity to experience this very impactful interaction, and everyone can. I strongly encourage you to host a field trip with your local chapter. The feeling is indescribably invigorating and provides a great opportunity to reach students who may otherwise not receive our message. We have a great story to share and the First Green field trip is an excellent way to deliver our message.