by
Jeff Jensen
| Feb 13, 2023
Sixty students from Millennial Tech have the opportunity to spend the day at Torrey Pines learning about soils, water, environment, and the golf maintenance industry.
GCSAA, San Diego GCSAA, Farmers Insurance, Century Club of San Diego and the City of San Diego hosted a First Green Field Trip on Monday, January 23 to kickoff the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in San Diego, CA.
Sixty 7th grade students from Millennial Tech attended the field trip which included four STEM learning stations, a narrated course tour, lunch, career question and answer session and a clinic by PGA and APGA Tour Professionals.
Host Superintendent Devin Cullen and the City of San Diego Golf Division provided the location for the event on Torrey’s North Course and the students were treated to a narrated course tour by Bill Sinclair followed up with four learning stations taught by volunteers from the San Diego GCSA.
The Cool Tools on the Green was a favorite of the kids. Paul Brown, Austin Daniells, Trevor Larsen and Cody Stewart taught the station and kids learned how to cut a cup, use a Stimpmeter, a soil moisture meter and had the opportunity to sit on various pieces of equipment used on the golf course.
The Soils Lab was taught by Kimberly Gard, Todd Kochanowski, Matt Partridge and Brenden Reaksecker. The kids learned about sand, silt and clay, viewed soil particles through a microscope, learned about the water infiltration through different types of soils and learned how to use a soil probe.
The Wildlife and Habitat Lab was taught by Jim Culley, Chris Hayman, and Bill Sinclair. The kids had a chance to learn about the wildlife that is present at Torrey Pines, pollinator establishment and protection, native areas, and the importance of environmental sustainability on a golf course. The kids also went home with wildflower seeds supplied by Culley (Pacific Seed Enterprises).
The Water Conservation and Irrigation Lab was taught by Rob Maycock, Kevin Plageman, Brandon Williams, and Craig Zellers. Plageman and Zellers of Golf Course Irrigation Consultants showed how courses use drones for water management, Williams showed the kids how the POGO works and Maycock discussed water management on the golf course.
Following the learning stations, the kids were treated to a great lunch provided by Farmers and The Century Club of San Diego and a career panel question and answer session that featured various volunteers as well as five-time PGA TOUR winner Rickie Fowler and APGA player Michael Herrera.
To conclude the event, a swing clinic was held by PGA TOUR Players Justin Lower and Doc Redman as well as APGA Professionals Michael Herrera and Kamaiu Johnson.
A special thanks goes out to Farmers Insurance and The Century Club of San Diego for their assistance and financial contributions to the event. The team of Jennifer Cota, Andrew Harmatys and Maggie Neal were a pleasure to work with.
The City of San Diego team including Torrey Pines Superintendent Devin Cullen and Assistant Deputy Director John Howard provided us with a great location and use of the maintenance equipment for the field trip.
And last but certainly not least, thank you to the great volunteers from the San Diego GCSA. A truly great group of members dedicated to growing the maintenance industry and game of golf. You have set the standard for future field trips!
For videos and media coverage, please visit the links below:
https://www.10news.com/news/local-news/san-diego-middle-schoolers-learn-from-farmers-insurance-open-preparation
https://www.lajollalight.com/news/story/2023-01-23/photo-gallery-farmers-insurance-open-helps-school-area-kids-in-the-game-and-science-of-golf
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/golf/story/2023-01-23/2023-farmers-insurance-open-torrey-pines-monday-practice-rounds-stem-millennial-tech-middle-school
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SifNA5irok