Cobbs Creek Foundation (CCF) and TGR Foundation are thrilled to share the success of our inaugural Career-Connected Learning event, hosted at Merion Golf Club. This event marked a significant milestone in our mission to provide meaningful career exploration opportunities for Philadelphia high school students.
We welcomed 26 enthusiastic students who were eager to learn about the diverse career opportunities available within the golf and hospitality industries. The students were divided into groups of five and rotated through various stations learning about career opportunities, gaining hands-on experience and hearing valuable insights from Merion Golf Club professionals including:
- Culinary Arts: Students donned aprons with the Executive Chef and got a taste of culinary arts by making guacamole, learning the intricacies of kitchen operations.
- Marketing and Communications: They delved into the world of marketing and communications, learning about its crucial role across a variety of platforms in the success of a golf club, both in day-to-day operations as well as championship applications.
- Human Resources: Students observed the daily responsibilities of the Human Resources Director, gaining a comprehensive view of recruitment, hiring, training, and development centric on the club’s core values.
- Golf Retail: Students explored the operations of a golf shop, learning about inventory management and customer service.
- Agronomy Exploration: With the guidance of a Senior Assistant Superintendent from Merion’s Green Department, students discovered the science behind turf management and the importance of maintaining pristine golf courses.
- Caddie and Golf Terminology: Walking tee to green on the championship East Course (Hole 1) with the Director of Golf and Assistant Golf Professional, they learned essential caddie skills and golf terminology, enriching their understanding of the sport.
The opportunity was designed to deliver a meaningful, career-connected learning experience for students and showcase a range of professions and career pathways within the golf and hospitality industries.
“Today’s field trip made me realize just how many aspects go into the inner runnings of the Merion Golf Club,” said Jeslynne, a recent graduate currently navigating her post-secondary journey. “I loved learning about the grass and connected most with the caddie. It was so interesting learning about all the small things you have to do when following the golf player.”
The Cobbs Creek Foundation has a strategic alliance with Merion Golf Club. The Club’s members and employees are also deeply committed to giving back to the community through golf and the club takes pride in cultivating future talent for the industry.
The Cobbs Creek Foundation in partnership with TGR Foundation was awarded a gift from the Neubauer Family Foundation, enabling both organizations to have a greater impact on the lives and career paths of Philadelphia’s students. The Neubauer Family Foundation, a Philadelphia-based organization, generously funds CCF and TGR Foundation’s collaborative career-connected learning initiatives.
Students had fun hanging out and eating pizza at the end of the day and it is safe to say that we look forward to continuing our partnership with Merion Golf Club and the Neubauer Family Foundation to provide more experiences like this in the future.