Opening young eyes to greenkeeping

First Green has given more than 200 schoolchildren a taste of greenkeeping this year, bringing classroom learning to life on golf courses across the UK

Golf courses have become outdoor classrooms through First Green, with greenkeeping teams bringing science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) to life for visiting schoolchildren.

Since its launch in 2022, the programme has helped clubs introduce young people to the varied skills involved in managing a golf course. Through practical activities, pupils can explore how their classroom learning applies to the world around them while discovering greenkeeping as a potential career.

This year, eight events took place at golf courses across the UK, giving more than 200 primary and secondary school pupils an introduction to greenkeeping through practical and engaging learning activities.

Paul Fowkes, course manager at Kilworth Springs in Leicestershire, said the First Green event was an opportunity for everyone to learn, including the school’s teaching staff.

“The vast majority had never been to a golf course before,” he said. “It was a chance to show that it involves much more than just cutting grass, and there is a broad range of skills you need. Even some of the teachers were surprised by what greenkeeping actually involves.”

Since the programme’s launch, almost 1,000 schoolchildren have attended a First Green event across 17 host clubs. Over 40% of those clubs have since opted to host another event, providing further opportunities for students to learn on the golf course.

The Bedfordshire Golf Club has hosted on three separate occasions, making it one of the programme’s most frequent hosts. Course Manager John Gubb believes this is important because it demonstrates what greenkeeping involves to those who may never encounter it otherwise.

“Even just being exposed to a golf course can help plant the seed,” he said. “Some of them might think that it could be a career or a job opportunity further down the line.”

More than twice as many First Green events have taken place in the past two years as in the previous three, helping to introduce more young people to the profession through practical STEM activities.