The strong future of golf was in plain sight as dozens of youth from First Tee - Sandhills joined students from the Greenkeeper Apprenticeship Program (GAP) for an afternoon of learning through the GCSAA’s First Green event at Pinehurst Number 10. The event was part of a capstone project for the first cohort of GAP students, who led young golfers through four stations focused on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in golf course maintenance.

GAP students began planning the event by identifying key areas for youth to experience the skill sets and critical thinking required for successful greenkeeping. From there, they had to design and develop each station as a workshop with content and objectives for the kids to learn. The planning and delivery culminated in an event where groups of First Tee players were led through the four stations across the fourth and fifth holes of the new Pinehurst Number 10. GCSAA members Kevin Robinson, CGCS, Daniel Whisenant, and Jack Cross of Pinehurst Resort hosted the event. GAP students taught the kids about the following important aspects of golf course maintenance:

Putting green performance metrics: The kids utilized technology including the GS3 ball, the DEACON mobile app and the USGA Stimpmeter to measure putting green characteristics.

Native area management: A discussion of sustainable weed control and native species propagation was followed by some hands-on management experience.

Bunker maintenance: This station began with an overview of bunker construction and presentation, followed by a raking demonstration that the kids had fun trying to replicate on their own.

Water management: GAP students demonstrated the use of portable soil moisture meters to identify dry and wet areas on a green and the proper technique for hand watering. Then the kids got to take their own moisture measurements and practice their hand watering technique. Bystanders needed to be wary of getting soaked!