Manchester Golf Club to Host Innovative, Educational First Green Event for The Dorset School Students

Students will get hands-on educational opportunities from golf course superintendents

This is the inaugural First Green event in the state of Vermont

Manchester, Vt. (Sept. 29, 2025) – Manchester Country Club will host an innovative environmental education outreach program that uses golf courses as living, learning labs, when Sean Monahan, golf course superintendent, welcomes students from The Dorset School for a GCSAA First Green event, Tuesday, September 30.

First Green is a Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) program which focuses on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, architectural and math) principles where students get hands-on learning opportunities in a real-life setting. GCSAA First Green curriculum benefits students by helping them apply their classroom knowledge in an engaging outdoor setting focusing on wildlife habitat, soil science, environmental sustainability, water conservation, math, career exploration and more.

This is the inaugural First Green event in the state of Vermont as the national program reaches its 46th state. Since 2018, the program has included 400 field trips, hosting more than 23,000 students across the country.

WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 30 from 8:45-10:45 a.m.

WHERE: Manchester Country Club (229 Beech Street, Manchester Center, VT). The field trip will begin at the practice facility

WHO: Approximately 20 fifth-grade students from The Dorset School, who will learn from golf course superintendent Sean Monahan, an 18-year GCSAA member, and others.

WHAT: An interactive, highly engaging field trip that provides hands-on learning and exposes students to the golf industry. Benefits of First Green include applying lessons learned in class, inspiring students, building community, strengthening futures, advancing golf and having fun.

The students will arrive at 8:45 a.m. and begin rotating through stations including Water Conservation/Irrigation; Wildlife/Habitat Management; Cool Tools; and Math before departing at 10:45 a.m.

Media are encouraged to attend the event and can contact Monahan at sean@mccvt.com or 802-375-4348 prior to the field trip.

Manchester Country Club is located within the diverse ecosystem of the Batten Kill Watershed. The golf course is 200 acres, including 80 acres that consist of naturalized habitat. The facility is currently enrolled in the Audubon program for golf and is working on several projects to preserve and protect the environment.

To learn more about GCSAA First Green visit www.TheFirstGreen.org

First Green is a program of the GCSAA Foundation, which is the philanthropic organization of the GCSAA. Its mission is to secure funding and support to strengthen advocacy, education, and research that advances the work of golf course management professionals. Visit the Foundation at www.gcsaa.org/foundation.