The Chevron LPGA Championship was hosted April 18 through April 21 at Carlton Woods Country Club in Woodlands, Texas. This was the ladies' first major championship of the year and Carlton Woods' second year to host this tournament. Through the help of Tim Huber, CGCS, director of agronomy at Carlton Woods, and Chevron, the title sponsor, GCSAA was invited to participate in the STEM program during the week-long event.

Several planning meetings happened weeks before the tournament between GCSAA, IMG/Chevron and Carlton Woods Country Club. Although I had not done an event like this before, I felt I had a good idea of what to prepare for. Carrie Cole, executive director for South Texas GCSA, was key in informing our members about the event and eventually scheduling the volunteers to work the week of the event.

We had a modified First Green field trip on Wednesday with local high school golf team members. Magnolia West FFA also had a few of their students attend. Five learning stations were set up inside the tent and a John Deere fairway mower was displayed beside the tent. On Friday, Chevron had more than 75 students from the Yellowstone Academy in Houston come out to participate in all of the STEM areas of the tournament, so we were busy with over a dozen different groups of three or four at a time. 

During the week, several local television news outlets interviewed superintendent volunteers. Golf Channel also did a story about the GCSAA STEM tent. Earlier in the week, a children’s educational television show shot footage of me and numerous of the learning labs for an upcoming show that will air in May on the local NBC affiliate. Although it was a lot of work and many hours were given by many people, it was a rewarding experience.