Why The Bedfordshire keeps hosting First Green

Course Manager John Gubb believes early exposure to working life on a golf course can help plant the seed for future careers, which is why The Bedfordshire has now hosted three First Green events. For him, opening the course to young people is the perfect way to show what greenkeeping really involves and help the industry reach those who may never otherwise encounter it.

In June, John and his team welcomed children from Stanton Primary School in Milton Keynes, many of whom had never set foot on a golf course before. He saw first-hand what an impact it had on them.

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

The children took part in ball roll and Stimpmeter work, explored machinery, searched for minibeasts in woodland and learned about soils and water in a wildflower area.

“We’ve kept to the same four activities and we find it works quite well,” John said. “We don’t want to make it too complicated. Many of them have never been on a golf course before, so they’re a bit awestruck with the grasses, the balls, the clubhouse and everything going on.”

The event also helps challenge narrow perceptions of the profession by showing pupils the technology, machinery and decision-making involved in modern course management.

 

“It’s not just cutting grass,” John said. “There’s a lot of technical side to it as well. We had fairway mowers, greens mowers, tee mowers, rough mowers, the sprayer, tractor loader, aerators, moisture meters and our own weather station out there for them to see. They didn’t realise you could bring up irrigation heads from a phone, check live weather data or look at the height of cut on the mowers.”

With two previous events already under their belt, the team now have it down to a fine art. The first one brought nerves, but more staff and volunteers have stepped forward as confidence has grown. Having completed a hat-trick of First Green events, John is urging others to get involved.

“What has been good is that we’ve gained another volunteer each time,” John said. “The confidence is growing that they feel they can come and help out. Yes, it’s a full-on day and the first time is a little bit daunting, but there really is nothing to worry about. Just have a go and you’ll get a lot out of it.”