Westminster National Golf Course Welcomes
Students from Elmer Wolfe Elementary School
Thursday, October 23, 2025
Westminster National Golf Course
Westminster National Golf Course
2158 Littlestown Pike, Westminster, MD 21158
Hosted by
Ryan Kraushofer, CGCS
443-865-3232
westminsternationalgc@yahoo.com
Volunteers, please contact Ryan Kraushofer
Students from Elmer Wolfe Elementary will take part in an exciting First Green Field Trip at Westminster National Golf Course, where hands-on learning brings science, math, and the environment to life. Guided by golf course professionals, students will rotate through a series of interactive stations that highlight the many ways STEM connects to the game of golf and the care of a golf course. From putting lessons and soil science to water conservation, course design, robotics, and more, each activity is designed to spark curiosity and showcase the unique role golf courses play in both recreation and environmental stewardship.
Station 1: Putting
Students will work with golf professionals to learn the fundamentals of putting and how to read the subtle contours of a green. The session will finish with a fun and friendly putting competition.
Station 2: Soils
Students will explore the importance of soils and turf on a golf course, and how these spaces serve as valuable community green areas. They’ll discover how healthy turf, trees, and vegetation provide wildlife habitat, improve air quality, filter water, and even help restore damaged environments.
Station 3: The 411 of Golf
This station introduces students to the physics of golf—why some clubs hit the ball farther than others and how force and angles affect distance. Students will measure their shots and convert the results from feet to yards, reinforcing real-world math and science connections.
Station 4: Water Conservation
Students will learn why water is essential for turfgrass health and how superintendents carefully manage irrigation to conserve resources. They’ll gain an understanding of the strategies used on golf courses to balance plant needs with responsible water use.
Station 5: Golf Course Architecture
Students will step into the shoes of a golf course architect, learning what goes into designing a course that is both fun to play and beneficial to the environment. They’ll then get creative by sketching their own vision of a golf hole.
Station 6: Math in Turf Management
Students will see how superintendents use math every day, from calculating square footage to determining application rates for seed, fertilizer, or sand. They’ll practice measuring a tee box and explore how averages are used to track green speeds.
Station 7: Robotic Mowers
Students will discover how robotic mowers are changing the way golf courses are maintained. They’ll learn how these machines help reduce fuel use, operate efficiently with GPS guidance, and give superintendents more time to focus on other important aspects of course care.
Volunteers Needed! Host superintendent Ryan Kraushofer is requesting volunteers to help with this fun day of mentorship and education. Please contact Ryan directly at westminsternationalgc@yahoo.com if you would like to volunteer.
Sponsors
Schedule
TBA
Busses Arrive Approximately: 9:30 am
Busses Depart Approximately: 1:30 pm
