Case Study

First Tee Golf Learning Center – San Francisco, CA

This groundbreaking project in San Francisco, CA, brought the game of golf to underprivileged youth through the First Tee program.

Project Details

Location

San Francisco, CA

Project Type

Commercial

Application

Golf

Timeline

4 Days

Year Completed

2018

Size

2,600 sq. ft.

Turf Products

PPG, Heavenly 90

Infill Material

Silica Sand

About Project

This groundbreaking project in San Francisco, CA, brought the game of golf to underprivileged youth through the First Tee program. In collaboration with the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD), a one-of-a-kind Golf Learning Center was developed at Visitacion Valley Middle School, providing students with a dedicated space to learn golf while developing life skills.

The challenge was to create a durable, low-maintenance golf facility that could accommodate a growing number of participants while keeping costs manageable. The solution? Heavenly Greens artificial turf, which replaced the need for costly, high-maintenance natural grass while offering a professional-grade surface for putting, driving, and chipping practice.

Our Client’s Challenge

The First Tee program’s expansion into underserved communities required a high-quality, long-lasting golf facility that addressed several concerns:

High maintenance costs – Traditional grass requires regular mowing, watering, and pest control.
Drainage issues – Natural grass struggles with water retention, leading to muddy conditions unsuitable for play.
Facility limitations – The lack of suitable golf facilities prevented more students from participating in the program.
Durability concerns – With heavy use, the facility needed a turf solution that could withstand daily practice sessions.

Our Approach And Solution

To address these concerns, Heavenly Greens designed and installed a state-of-the-art artificial turf golf facility, including:

Professional-grade putting greens – Designed with varying slopes, breaks, and stint-meter speeds to mimic real-world conditions.
Tee-line chipping areas – Custom tee-line materials for chipping practice.
Individual driving mats – Durable surfaces for consistent driving practice.
Complete drainage system – Ensuring optimal performance in all weather conditions.
Custom-designed details – Matching logo colors, custom tee lines, and an elevated bunker for a comprehensive golf experience.

By utilizing Heavenly Greens artificial turf, the long-term maintenance costs were reduced by approximately 99%, eliminating the need for watering, mowing, and ongoing landscaping. These cost savings allowed SFUSD to reinvest funds into other educational initiatives while maintaining a professional-level golf facility.

What the Client Says

“I remember when we broke ground on this new learning center and saw the community enthusiastically rally so students in our area could participate in The First Tee program. I am humbled today to see what a terrific learning center we have now for these deserving youth.”

Gavin Newsom

Former San Francisco Mayor

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