Kids tour Conway Farms, learn about golf course industry careers

More than a dozen kids got an up-close look at the workings of a golf course and heard about golf industry career opportunities Monday during a "Careers on Course" program at Conway Farms Golf Club in Lake Forest.

"It really is an eye-opening experience for the kids just to see there's more than just a golf professional or someone who cuts the grass," said Darryl Stackhouse, education director with The First Tee of Greater Chicago, the sponsor of the event.

The youths heard from the golf course superintendent, BMW tournament directors, the golf course general manager and others during the program.

Ed Nagle, director of Turfgrass Programs at the Chicago District Golf Association, brought in various breeds of grass for the kids to examine and talked about the challenges dealing with fungal issues that can arise.

In addition to the activities during the day, two of the 15 participants from the event will be selected to shadow two golf superintendents during the Sept. 19 round of the BMW Championship. They will also have access to the tournament the rest of the day with their family.

"It's a backstage tour of what it takes to run a golf course, but also the BMW Championship event," Stackhouse said.

At the end of Monday's event, the youths had the opportunity to hit balls at the range at Conway Farms.

The First Tee is an international youth development initiative of the World Golf Foundation and is supported by the leading organizations in golf. The First Tee of Greater Chicago is one of nearly 200 chapters throughout the country and in five international locations dedicated to impacting the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf.

To find out more about the First Tee, visit www.thefirstteegreaterchicago.org.