SiteOne Landscape Supply combined with Detroit-based, non-profit, Hollywood Golf Institute to positively impact the lives of nearly 30 students as they learn important STEM lessons related to golf course design. The students began their project work in January 2022 and put the final touches on their greens May 14.
Founded by Selina Johnson, Hollywood Golf Institute’s mission is to teach children the fundamentals of the game. In 2021, Johnson expanded the company’s mission to include invaluable STEM lessons applicable to golf. The program has positively impacted the lives of more than 4,000 children.
“Detroit metropolitan area schools don’t offer golf course or agriculture science programs like they did years ago,” said Dawn Hicks, Detroit area business manager at SiteOne. “So after speaking with Selina and hearing her vision for the project, we jumped at the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the students of Hollywood Golf and influence the green industry with this STEM project.”
SiteOne organized sessions with its various business categories to talk with the students. They studied irrigation practices and discussed the evolving technology in smart controllers, spoke with the agronomics team to learn about turf seed and fertilizing practices, and met with HR and marketing – all jobs that are required to either build or manage a course.
“Golf is inches, feet and yards, so not only is that part of how we layout a golf course, but it’s the fundamentals of math,” Johnson said. “When we had SiteOne come and show the development of a course moving tractors, laying out the water lines for an irritation system, the students got so excited. I am very grateful to SiteOne for their generous support of this program. With continued education and programs like this one, I see a bright future for students and the game I’m passionate about.”
“The partnership with SiteOne and Hollywood Golf is more than learning the game – it’s giving children life skills. Programs like this are vital to help children in our communities achieve their dreams,” Hicks added.
