John Deere invites Irish and UK greenkeepers to apply for TPC Sawgrass Volunteer Programme

John Deere is giving seven greenkeepers the chance to help present TPC Sawgrass it for The Players Championship

One member of the GSCAI will join the TPC Sawgrass maintenance and agronomy team in the build-up to The Players Championship

Sports & Parks

23 March 2023

Applications for the 2024 John Deere TPC Sawgrass Volunteer Programme are now open. The programme will see seven Irish and British greenkeepers travel to Florida to help prepare the Stadium Course for the world’s top golfers.

One member of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of Ireland (GSCAI) will be chosen, as well as one member of each of the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association’s (BIGGA) five regions, in addition to an international member.

Successful candidates will join the TPC Sawgrass maintenance and agronomy team in the build-up to The Players Championship from 9 to 19 March 2024.

With all travel, accommodation and uniform costs covered by John Deere as part of its BIGGA Premium Partner relationship, volunteers will be fully integrated into the TPC Sawgrass pre-tournament team – an opportunity that may see them mowing the first tee before play starts, preparing the iconic 17th hole, or raking the bunkers as play gets underway.

“Going to volunteer at TPC Sawgrass presents a fantastic opportunity for you to expand your knowledge and experience, and you’ll meet many like-minded professional greenkeepers from across the globe,” said Chris Meacock, John Deere’s division sales manager for golf and turf.

The 2023 cohort of greenkeeper volunteers included assistant course manager Alex Brougham from Trentham Park Golf Club, senior greenkeeper Peter Lewis from Royal Liverpool Golf Club, deputy head greenkeeper Eddie Irvine from Trump International Aberdeen, and course manager Mark Tucker from Temple Golf Club.

Each greenkeeper became an integral part of the team, preparing the course well ahead of the practice rounds and working until the tournament concluded, using the huge fleet of John Deere machinery from the Sawgrass maintenance compound.

Karl Hansell, BIGGA’s head of communications and marketing, who accompanied the group to Sawgrass in March 2023, said: “Having worked at BIGGA promoting this wonderful initiative for seven years, I thought I had some understanding of TPC Sawgrass and what the trip entailed. But nothing could prepare me for the actual experience of being there.

“The TPC Sawgrass agronomy team was so welcoming that the greenkeepers accompanied were made to feel right at home, and several previous John Deere volunteers now return every year at their own expense, such was their enjoyment of the trip.”

The 2023 Championship at TPC Sawgrass saw American Scottie Scheffler win the tournament five shots clear of Englishman Tyrrell Hatton, shooting 17 under par for the tournament.

For more information, visit: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/GQRNG8V