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
READ Article: DAY 4 – Saturday, June 21 (BELOW)
Saturday, June 21, 2025
Dear Golf Enthusiasts,
My fourth and final day as a Golf Course Grounds Crew member at the PGA Tour’s Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands has come to a close. Arriving once again at 4:15 AM, my car ride over with Kevin Doyle and Mark Jordan, CGCS, was very quiet as the morning was still and hung with humidity.
Today’s assignment had me partnered with Andrew Lafaille, Operations Manager at Harrells.com. As the morning sunrise caught Andrew’s attention, we stopped, looked, and admired its strength and power before heading to the Front 9 with our dew sweepers, clearing the T-Boxes and Pro-walks of dew prior to the tournament’s 8:30 AM Tee-Time.
After completing the 5th hole, TPC River’s Superintendent, Jason Cannatta, pulled us aside and asked that we help others clean the greens on Hole 6. Leaves and debris from yesterday’s strong winds covered not just that green, but also the fairways on holes 2, 3, and 4.
The past four days have been both fun and educational. Working with Golf Course Superintendents and Greenskeepers has allowed me to think of this industry as a mix between Science and Art. I was honored to be associated with and a part of men and women whose dedicated efforts and hard work heighten for many the joy of being outdoors. This work provided golf fans the scenery and backdrop to enjoy spending quality time with family and friends and, most of all, it provided a venue for pure relaxation on the golf course.
