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 (BELOW)
READ Article: DAY 3 – Friday, June 20
READ Article: DAY 4 – Saturday, June 21
Date: Thursday, June 19, 2025
Dear Golf Enthusiasts,
I’m excited to share my Day 2 experience as a Golf Course Grounds Crew member at the PGA Tour’s Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Connecticut!
My 3:00 AM wake-up call came quickly after an exciting first day. Kevin Doyle (New Hampshire), Mark Jordan, CGCS (Ohio), and I left our hotel at 4:00 AM, arriving at TPC River Highlands around 4:15 AM while it was still dark.
Upon entering the Agronomy building, we enjoyed coffee, espresso, cold brews, orange juice, Powerade, and water as we waited for Jason Cannata’s 4:30 AM briefing with Josh Breilling and Brendan Quigley.
After the briefing, we headed to our assignments. My morning task was fluffing the rough around the tee-boxes and greens. I finished by 7:30 AM and returned to the Agronomy Center for a delicious breakfast of pancakes, potatoes, bacon, sausage, and fruit. Feeling exhausted, I took the opportunity to go back to the hotel for a nap.
On my way back to the course for the afternoon tee times, I reflected on the significant role of Golf Course Superintendents and Greenskeepers. To me, they are like Wi-Fi: unseen, yet indispensable. They create the magic, providing fans with the perfect scenery and backdrop to enjoy golf at the highest level with family and friends.
Later in the afternoon, Kevin, Mark, and I decided to walk the course and watch some golf. We had about an hour to observe the world’s best golfers before preparing for our afternoon work session. Before heading back to the course to get it ready for Friday, we had the chance to listen to Tessa Hospod, a UCONN undergrad and graduate student conducting extensive research on autonomous mowing. After her presentation, I got ready for my afternoon work of raking bunkers in preparation for Friday morning. After another three hours of work, I returned to the Agronomy Center and enjoyed a dinner of hamburgers, hot dogs, popcorn chicken, macaroni and cheese, and watermelon for dessert. I can confidently say the meals here are spot on!
It was a very full day, and I’m thankful for another opportunity to learn and serve. I also want to extend a special thank you to Mr. Scott Ramsay, CGCS (Connecticut) for the many photographs he has taken over the past couple of days. Scott, the former Golf Course Superintendent of the Yale University Golf Course, is a truly great guy! Scott, thank you for sharing your photos with me so I can share them with others.
Well, 3:00 AM will come early tomorrow, so it’s time for some rest.
