Georgia Meysman-Sharpe is an alumna of First Tee – Colorado Rocky Mountains, an Evans Scholar and an ecology student at the University of Colorado. When Georgia was in middle school, she began caddying at CommonGround Golf Course in Aurora, Colorado, as a part of the Solich Caddie and Leadership Academy. Through this experience, Georgia was introduced to First Tee and began to immerse herself with the chapter.
“Being part of First Tee – Colorado Rocky Mountains has impacted my life in countless ways. I’ve formed lifelong friendships and connections with mentors, coworkers and staff at First Tee that I have endless gratitude for,” said Georgia. “I’ve learned that golf is a wonderful mechanism for building relationships, exploring passions and interests and learning how to spread good through beneficial change.”
As Georgia began spending more time immersed in golf through caddying, playing and coaching, she also began to find another passion: ecology. Ecology is the study of the interactions between living organisms and their environment.
“CommonGround Golf Course has hundreds of grasses, trees, shrubs, flower species and a multitude of various pollinators, insects, birds and small mammals everywhere!” said Georgia. “It is incredible to observe the life that flows through throughout the course, life that unfortunately can’t flourish in urban environments that don’t have the means for these habitats.”
Over the summer Georgia returned to CommonGround, the place that she fell in love with golf, to serve as an intern in partnership with the Denver Botanic Gardens to analyze the success of native wildflower growth at the course and to survey the abundance of pollinators.
“I can attest just from this short experience that a golf course can act as an environmental hub of biodiversity and wildlife,” Georgia said. “Being part of the golf world through an ecological lens is something that I believe is extremely important. Not only do golf courses provide a safe space for these ecosystems, they provide a plethora of health and recreational benefits to people that positively impact our wellbeing.”
Georgia’s love for golf and ecology has continued to lead her to new opportunities. As an Evans Scholar she was invited to the 2024 BMW Pro-Am where she caddied for Corey Conners.
“I’m excited to continue this legacy of connection with everyone I encounter as I keep discovering the endless possibilities within the world of golf,” said Georgia.