First Green event ‘one of the highlights of my greenkeeping career’

Richard Ponsford described hosting a First Green event at Clevedon Golf Club as “one of the highlights of my greenkeeping career”. The Somerset venue became the latest in a growing list to offer up their facilities as a classroom for STEM learning, welcoming nearly 50 schoolchildren for a day of hands-on education.

Richard was inspired to get involved with the initiative after seeing it first-hand during a trip to the United States as part of the BIGGA Delegation to visit the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show, courtesy of Bernhard and Company. Despite some last-gasp nerves threatening to overwhelm him, he ultimately found the experience to be one of the most fulfilling he has had in his professional life.

“It was one of the highlights of my greenkeeping career,” he said. “You have a handful a highlights you choose from a career, and that’s right up there. To be able to give something back and to see the smiles, the excitement and the enjoyment on those kids’ faces was really special. I went from feeling quite sick at the thought of a bus load of schoolchildren arriving to feeling a nice warm glow afterwards, and I even feel emotional now talking about it.”

Some of the members who were on hand to help were “blown away” by the experience, while a couple of Richard’s team got involved and found it hugely rewarding. Each of the workstations provided an insight into the role of a greenkeeper and underlined how the job requires all the pillars of STEM education.

“The kids loved being able to try things out for themselves, whether it was measuring the area of a green or using the stimpmeter – they were just so excited to get involved,” said Richard. “I’d encourage anyone who is thinking about hosting a First Green event to do it. Reach out and talk to BIGGA, talk to others who have hosted an event, and I’m sure you’ll be glad you did it.” GI

If you are interested in hosting a First Green field trip at your golf club or if you are a school or group interested in attending an event, please visit the First Green pages of the BIGGA website.