Washington Learning Center Golf Course, a unique and environmentally conscious 9-hole facility, opened its greens in the spring of 2006. This golf course is a proud project financed by The First Tee of Cleveland and expertly managed by Cleveland Metroparks. The First Tee of Cleveland Inc., established in 1999, is a dedicated chapter of the national First Tee initiative, championing youth character development and valuable life skills through the engaging sport of golf. For those interested in supporting the next generation of golfers, further details about The First Tee of Cleveland youth programs and volunteer opportunities can be found here.
What sets Washington Learning Center Golf Course apart is its innovative collaboration with the City of Cleveland and the Cleveland Municipal School District. Through a strong partnership with the Washington Park Horticulture Center, the golf course becomes an extended learning environment. The horticulture center provides a specialized curriculum encompassing turf management, animal care, greenhouse production, landscape mechanics, and floral design. This unique program offers high school students invaluable opportunities to cultivate practical career skills within a real-world setting.
Washington Learning Center Golf Course’s commitment to environmental excellence is further underscored by its designation as an Audubon International Certified Gold Signature Sanctuary. This prestigious certification, awarded through the Audubon International Signature Program, recognizes the exceptional environmental stewardship integrated into every aspect of the golf course’s design and ongoing maintenance. Signature certification is exclusively granted to new developments that rigorously adhere to Audubon International’s stringent planning standards and environmental best practices from inception through operation. The core mission of the Signature Program is to advocate for responsible land management practices and informed land use decisions grounded in robust scientific research.
Achieving the Gold Signature certification marks several significant milestones for Washington Learning Center Golf Course:
- It proudly stands as the First 9-hole Certified Gold Signature Sanctuary golf course globally.
- It is the First Certified Gold Signature Sanctuary in the state of Ohio.
- Notably, it is the First publicly-owned facility to earn the Certified Gold Signature Sanctuary distinction.
- As a testament to its mission, it is the First First Tee project to be recognized as a Certified Gold Signature Sanctuary.
This certification places Washington Learning Center Golf Course among the elite, ranking it as the ninth Certified Gold Signature Sanctuary golf course in the United States and tenth worldwide. Overall, it holds the position of the 14th Certified Gold Signature Sanctuary in the U.S. and 15th globally, and is the third Certified Signature Sanctuary overall in Ohio.
Prepare to Tee Off at Washington Learning Center Golf Course
Before you begin your swing at Washington Learning Center Golf Course, it’s highly recommended to engage in a brief dynamic warm-up routine. To enhance your golf performance and minimize the risk of injury, explore the expert-recommended warm-up exercises provided by the MetroHealth System’s Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Institute.
