Last week I had the pleasure of attending a First Tee "Live Green" event in Knoxville. There were about 50 children in attendance who got to see first hand what went on at a golf course on a daily basis. They had the chance to plant flowers and sod around the clubhouse, plant trees on the course, learn about the environment and how the course plays a role in it, see course equipment in action and hit some golf balls on the range. Host superintendent Chuck Drake, GCSAA Class A member at Williams Creek Golf Course, gave the children insight into the agronomic aspects of the job by cutting cups, taking a soil sample to examine roots and talking about greens construction. It's amazing to see the interest in the eyes of the children and to hear all of the questions they had. It really does give you hope for the future of the game to see so many children engaged on a Saturday morning.
This event was a chance to meet up with some old friends, and make some new ones, as well. It was great to see Joellen Lampman and Judson McNeil, who I've met before at other events. I also got to catch up a bit with Joe O'Brien of the First Tee, whom I hadn't seen since his days with GCSAA back in Lawrence. Some of the new contacts I made were Diondre Jackson, executive director of the First Tee in Knoxville; Matt Hillman, assistant superintendent at Avalon Golf & Country Club; and Chuck Drake at Williams Creek Golf Club, who hosted the event. Everyone had great passion and energy while working with the children and it was reflected in the faces of the participants. If the game is to survive these young people are a great investment for the future.
Joellen Lampman talks about the web of life with Live Green participants at Williams Creek Golf Club in Knoxville Tenn.
