Select chapters of The First Tee will participate in a new environmental education and course improvement program called “Live Green,” developed in partnership with The Toro Company and Audubon International. From February to September of this year, nine chapters will participate in the program, providing around 900 young people the chance to work with Audubon International and Toro to enhance their chapter’s golf course.
“Toro has been a longtime supporter of The First Tee and this latest program is an example of their desire to help our organization positively impact young people through educational programs,” said Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., chief executive of The First Tee. “We are grateful for their leadership and Audubon International’s participation, and trust the young people involved in the program will benefit, as will the environment.”
“Live Green” brings attention to the environmental platform within The First Tee’s Nine Healthy Habits program. The Nine Healthy Habits is a framework for curriculum for nine health and wellness topics that participants are taught to follow both in the game of golf as well as in their personal lives. One of the wellness topics is community. The First Tee encourages young people to explore the health of their community and discover how they can give back and care for the environment.
In addition to funding the program, Toro will inform participating young people on engineering and science as it applies to golf course care.
“Engaging participants of The First Tee in an environmental education project such as this extends Toro’s purpose of enriching the beauty, productivity and sustainability of the land,” said Mike Hoffman, Toro’s chairman and chief executive officer. “We are proud to partner with these two great organizations to provide students with a greater understanding of how courses today strive to create a great player experience while protecting the environment.”
Audubon International will work closely with each chapter throughout the program, assisting the chapters in identifying and recommending improvements at each chapter’s course and providing environmental education to the young people involved.
The First Tee www.thefirsttee.org
The Toro Company www.toro.com
Audubon International www.AudubonInternational.org or www.GolfandEnvironment.com