Editor’s Note: The PGA Tour returns to TPC River Highlands in Connecticut for the 2025 Travelers Championship, which begins Thursday, June 19, and ends on June 22. Positioned just after the U.S. Open, the Travelers serves as the final Signature Event of the season. The field is stacked with top talent, including World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa, and newly crowned U.S. Open winner J.J. Spaun. Among those taking part behind the scenes is Craig Kirby, founder of Golf. My Future. My Game, who is working the tournament as a greenskeeper through the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA). Kirby’s journey to this role began earlier this year in San Diego while attending the GCSAA Conference. During a session where course superintendents were sharing their insights, Kirby was struck by the idea that he could better support young people by firsthand experience.
“You can’t teach what you don’t know and you can’t lead where you don’t go,” said Kirby. “That afternoon, I decided I wanted to work a tournament so I could honestly share with our kids the opportunities within GCSAA.” After sharing the idea with Marc Weston, then newly elected Secretary/Treasurer of the GCSAA Board, Kirby was quickly connected with the chance to be part of the grounds crew for this prestigious PGA Tour event. On a call earlier that week with colleagues, Kirby shared news of his involvement, prompting a suggestion from AAGD Executive Editor Jim Beatty that he keep a journal of his experience. Inspired by the idea, Kirby will share a series of articles of his firsthand perspective with readers of African American Golfer’s Digest and others in the golf community. Through his writings, Kirby hopes to inspire young people to explore the often-overlooked career pathways in golf maintenance and course operations.
READ Article: DAY 1 – Wednesday, June 18
READ Article: DAY 2 – Thursday, June 19
READ Article: DAY 3 – Friday, June 20, BELOW
READ Article: DAY 4 – Saturday, June 21
DATE: Friday, June 20, 2025
Dear Golf Enthusiasts,
My day three as a Golf Course Grounds Crew member at the PGA Tour’s Travelers Championship was a full day! After another 3:00 AM wake-up call and 4:00 AM departure from the Marriott Courtyard Hotel with Kevin Doyle (New Hampshire) and Mark Jordan, CGCS (Ohio), I found myself struggling a bit. The long days and early mornings are starting to wear me down, and yet today was only day two of the official tournament.
Arriving a few minutes early this morning, still under the dark of night, there was a special magic knowing it was officially Day Two of the Travelers Championship.
Entering the Agronomy building, filled with the smells of coffee and breakfast snacks, we waited for Jason Cannata’s 4:30 AM briefing with Josh Breilling and Brendan Quigley. Heading to our assignments, I met my Friday partner, Matt Burt. Matt, a native of Southfield, a suburb of Detroit, Michigan, is currently an intern at Seven Canyons in Sedona, Arizona. I knew Matt and I would get along when I asked him if he was a Lafayette or American Coney Island Guy. His reply: Lafayette. I knew we would be alright!
My morning task was again fluffing the rough around the tee-boxes and greens. I also had the responsibility with Matt of managing the Floorboards, which is essential help to our other two teammates operating the John Deere 220 walk mowers. Take a look at the video above showing us at work.
I have to share that today’s weather was absolutely beautiful, with temperatures in the high 70s, a nice breeze, and brilliant sunshine. A picture-perfect golf day!
Leaving the morning session around 8:45 AM, Mark Jordan, Kevin Doyle, and I met up with Gilberto Perez at Indian Hill Country Club in Newington, CT, under the leadership of Golf Course Superintendent and current GCSAA Secretary/Treasurer Marc Watson. We had the fortune to play nine glorious holes of golf. You’ll see we kept excellent company with Indian Hill Director of Agronomy, Matt Quinn, and Golf Course Dog Eli.
Returning to the Travelers Tournament for our afternoon session, I again had the responsibility of managing the Floorboards. Today’s dinner was a classic Caesar Salad and Chicken Parmesan.
Ending the day at a Chili’s Restaurant, I’ll just say our beverages lifted our tired bodies.
Another full and productive day!
