ABAC President Mike Vollmer said students are gaining valuable hands-on experience by completing lab work at Forest Lakes. This unique outdoor learning laboratory, which expands upon what students learn in the classroom, is the only golf course in the state of Georgia used as a lab for educational purposes.
Dr. Jerry Davis, professor of agricultural engineering at ABAC, said approximately 1,000 student hours will be completed on the golf course this semester.
"So far, Forest Lakes is succeeding in its role as a 'real-world' lab," Davis said. "Only on an actual golf course can students gain such valuable experience. Without Forest Lakes, there is no way we could provide them with the hands-on experience they need."
Dr. Larry Allen, Chair of the Division of Agriculture and Forest Resources, said students in agronomy, agricultural engineering technology, and horticulture classes have already completed lab hours at Forest Lakes since the semester began.
Students in the Soils and Fertilizers class have examined soil maps and taken soil samples and soil analyses. Turfgrass Equipment students have serviced golf carts and other course equipment and calibrated sprayers. Students in the Drainage, Irrigation, and Erosion Control class have inspected wet areas and formulated solutions, sketched course irrigation design, evaluated design and irrigation head replacement, and installed drainage systems.
Other classes using Forest Lakes as a learning lab include Power Equipment, Special Problems in Turfgrass, Golf Course Design and Management, Fundamentals of Plant Protection, Grounds Maintenance Equipment, and Turf Pest Management. Agronomy classes are taught by Dr. John Settimi. Dr. Ed Seagle teaches horticulture classes, and Davis teaches agricultural equipment technology classes.
"The students' response to working on the golf course has been very enthusiastic," Davis said. " I anticipate that more classes will make use of the golf course in the upcoming months, especially the wildlife classes."
Wayne Cooper, who manages Forest Lakes for the college, said the golf course really benefits students and enhances the classroom experience.
"Students have an opportunity to apply what they have learned in the classroom on the golf course," Cooper said. "I've seen students measuring the square footage of the greens and building sand traps. Using Forest Lakes as a learning lab is a great opportunity for students to gain the experience they need to enter the job market. Forest Lakes also serves as an excellent recruiting tool for students interested in the golf and turf business. My dream is that Forest Lakes will be successful enough and that it will make enough money so that scholarships can be established for students."
Cooper, who retired from ABAC two years ago, is the former Athletics Director, golf coach, and Chair of the Division of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation.
In addition to serving as a learning lab for students, Forest Lakes is also open for public play. The cost to play 18 holes is $18 during the week and $20 on the weekend. These prices include the use of a cart.
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