Golf industry career opportunities also presented at conference

Lawrence, Kan. (July 16, 2024) – GCSAA’s Leann Cooper, director, First Green and workforce development, and David Phipps, Northwest regional field staff representative, spoke at the Washington Association of Agricultural Educators (WAAE) Conference June 25-28 in Shelton, Wash. Their presentation included information about GCSAA’s First Green program and career opportunities in the golf industry.

GCSAA was invited to the WAAE conference after organizers visited with Phipps at a recent Washington FFA event. Conference attendees included high school agriculture educators, many of whom are FFA coaches, from across the state of Washington. The conference provided new ideas and best practices for educators to share with their students.

On June 25, Cooper and Phipps presented “Golf Courses as Learning Labs,” sharing how First Green transforms golf courses into interactive learning labs where students can dive into real-world STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) applications. They also discussed how First Green field trips provide students with a hands-on opportunity to learn about careers in the turfgrass industry and the diverse opportunities in agronomy, environmental science, landscape management and more.

A First Green field trip was held at Salish Cliffs Golf Course in Shelton, Wash., on June 26, where attendees rotated through various stations highlighting the tools, technology and agronomy needed to grow and maintain the golf course.

The event was hosted by Salish Cliffs Golf Club’s Bob Pearsall, 29-year GCSAA member and director of agronomy, and Eric Dowd, one-year GCSAA member and assistant superintendent.

To learn more about GCSAA’s First Green program and how to get involved, visit www.thefirstgreen.org.