First Green Receives $155K Grant from USGA & Chevron to Expand Program


First Green has announced it has been awarded a $155,750 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) grant by the United States Golf Association (USGA) for 2014. The grant is funded by the USGA's partnership with Chevron and designed to encourage students in science, technology, engineering and math disciplines

Dr. Kimberly S. Erusha, Managing Director of the USGA Green Section, said in awarding the grant, "The goal of the Chevron-USGA partnership and our Eagles for Education funding is to make STEM more fun and engaging through the game of golf. The First Green's educational and environmental outreach programs on the golf course have shown tremendous success supporting this objective, for which we are extremely grateful."

A 2013 USGA/Chevron grant for $100,000 funded expansion of First Green to Oregon and the launch of First Green in Northern California. In awarding the grant, the USGA continued its recognition of First Green for innovative STEM field trips in which students use the golf course as a learning lab, participating in hands-on activities such as calculating a stream's velocity and learning about computerized irrigation systems. The 2014 grant will enable First Green to attract a greater number of students through additional golf courses in Oregon and Northern California and a launch in Southern California.

About First Green

First Green coordinates outdoor "learning labs" at golf courses that allow students to perform hands-on experiments and tests, all within the focus of their schools' environmental science and/or horticulture curricula.

In the outdoor "labs" students test water quality, collect soil samples, identify plants and assist in stream-bed restoration. First Green also emphasizes the environmental and community benefits of golf courses, while introducing potential new golfers to the game in a fun, educational manner.

Supporters

In addition to the USGA, Supporters of First Green include the Washington State Golf Association, Pacific Northwest Golf Association, the Northwest Turfgrass Association, Western Washington Golf Course Superintendents Association, local golf clubs, public and private school systems, and individual contributors who assist the organization through monetary grants and participation in field trips.

For more information about First Green, visit www.thefirstgreen.org.

About the USGA

The USGA conducts the U.S. Open, U.S. Women's Open and U.S. Senior Open, as well as 10 national amateur championships, two state team championships and international matches. Together with The R&A, the USGA governs the game worldwide, jointly administering the Rules of Golf, Rules of Amateur Status, Equipment Standards and World Amateur Golf Rankings. The USGA's working jurisdiction comprises the United States, its territories and Mexico.

The USGA is a global leader in the development and support of sustainable golf course management practices. It serves as a primary steward for the game's history and funds an ongoing "For the Good of the Game" charitable giving program. Additionally, the USGA's Course Rating and Handicap systems are used on six continents in more than 50 countries For more information about the USGA, visit www.usga.org.