First Green is an innovative STEAM education program from GCSAA

Lawrence, Kan. (Sept. 24, 2024) – Wadsworth Golf Charities Foundation has provided a $10,000 grant to the GCSAA Foundation, the philanthropic organization of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), to help fund First Green, which turns golf courses into classrooms via hands-on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) field trips.

Founded in the Pacific Northwest in 1997 prior to GCSAA assuming leadership in 2018, First Green is the only STEAM education and environmental outreach program that uses golf courses as living laboratories. Each field trip averages 75 students who learn about golf and the environment. For many students, these “outdoor classrooms” represent their first exposure to a golf course. 

“We continue to hear great things from the program and look forward to seeing where it will go from here,” Wadsworth Golf Charities Foundation Director Doug Myslinski said.

With this gift, Wadsworth Golf Charities Foundation and Wadsworth Golf Construction Company continues to be recognized as a member of the Foundation’s Platinum Tee Club. It is also now recognized in Governor’s Club level for organizations contributing between $50,000-$99,999 since 1987 in the Cumulative Giving Program.

“The continued support from Wadsworth Golf Charities Foundation allows GCSAA to further its First Green efforts, which includes educating students about a career path they may not know about and demonstrating the essential role golf courses play in our communities,” GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans said. “Wadsworth Golf Charities Foundation’s generosity truly makes a difference, and we thank them for their steadfast support of the GCSAA Foundation and the First Green program.”